Natallé and Daniel Paterson clear up messes made by hoarders and wear hazmat suits to transform the most horrific mess into gleaming rooms
Startling photographs reveal the debris and squalor confronted by an extreme cleaning duo. Natallé and Daniel Paterson tackle chaos created by hoarders, biohazard waste, tenants and rats.
They restore filthy homes and properties with rubbish stacked to the ceilings – including mould, revolting toilets and refrigerators crammed with decomposing food. The pair don hazmat suits to transform the most appalling mess into spotless spaces through their company Paterson Pro Cleaning.
The Edinburgh-based married couple launched the company back in 2018 – when they needed to clean their own settee and carpets due to outbursts from Natallé’s young autistic son.
Six years on they travel to properties in their van and sometimes spend up to seven days in homes to restore them.
They have discovered numerous peculiar objects during their clearing missions, from discarded syringes to clothes and newspapers from the ’60s – and unopened Mars chocolate bars from the ’70s.
Natallé and Daniel said their pastime has now evolved into a lifelong devotion – as they are committed to assisting people “however they can”.
Natallé said: “We started off being carpet and sofa cleaners because my boy has autism and it was quite difficult to manage. He would always have meltdowns, throw juice and the sofa would be so dirty.
“I felt embarrassed by it as it was very, very bad. When I looked into it I decided to take some professional sofa cleaning courses.
“Then by chance someone asked Daniel and I if we could start doing oven cleans, kitchen cleans and so on and it has all just spiralled from there. We started entering all types of properties after that.”
Despite the work being “immensely” physical and challenging, the couple say that it is “all worth it” when the owner returns to the house and sees the space transformed.
Natallé said: “It is very rewarding when everything is done. Even before we clean we can see how it is going to look and we know the outcome before we even do it. The before and after is incredible.”
Many of the homes the couple clean are left in their state because of owners or renters with mental health issues.
Natallé and Daniel have said one of the main difficulties of the job is when they go into properties and see children or neglected animals.
Natallé said: “It is upsetting with anybody at any age – you go into a property full of rubbish that has people in their 20s to their 80s. Mental health is so huge for all ages and it is really sad to see.”
As Natallé used to work in the care sector, she says she feels compelled to help people, and the pair have learnt about the relevant signs to look out for which indicate whether someone might need extra support. The couple also charge lower rates to make their work more accessible.
She said: “We have a lot more experience and signs to look out for now. You can tell just by looking at the set of keys, windows, things stacked up, closed curtains, the build up of cobwebs and smells.
“We are used to all the smells. It is something we feel so passionate about so we put in a lot of hours for free as it’s a very hard situation for most people.
“Disposing of the rubbish itself isn’t cheap, and skips are expensive. We also try to recycle everything. Sometimes people do relapse and then they’ll get back in touch with us because they have been able to connect with us.”
One of the most extensive jobs the pair have tackled lasted seven consecutive days.
It required a crew of eight cleaners, five skips and five large vans to clear the property of waste – which had risen to the ceiling.
Natallé said: “That was an extreme case and one of the largest ones we undertook. We were even ducking under the doorways and our heads we hitting the ceiling whilst standing on everything.”
Natallé and Daniel have been a couple since 2015 and tied the knot in August 2024. They revealed they adore working as a team and “would not have it any other way”.
Natallé added: “It is great doing it together, but of course I still have to tell him, ‘Daniel, make sure you don’t miss anything’.
“It is nice having someone else who understands as I have had sleepless nights from the job and it’s important to have time out.”
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