What should be done when blood or bodily fluids saturate upholstery?

When blood or bodily fluids saturate upholstery, the correct course of action is to remove and discard the affected material. This approach is necessary due to several reasons. Firstly, upholstery can absorb fluids deeply, making it extremely difficult to ensure that thorough cleaning and disinfection have taken place. Even if the surface appears clean, pathogens such as viruses and bacteria can remain embedded within the fabric, posing a significant health risk.

Additionally, blood and bodily fluids may potentially carry infectious diseases, and handling contaminated upholstery poses risks of exposure for both cleanup personnel and future occupants. Therefore, to maintain a safe and healthy environment, it is often dictated by health and safety protocols to discard any materials that cannot be effectively sanitized.

While cleaning and using items again might seem like a cost-effective solution, it fails to address the potential dangers and health implications associated with contaminated items. Chemical treatments may help in some situations, but they do not guarantee the complete elimination of biohazards within porous materials. Storing items in sealed bags is also insufficient, as it does not resolve the contamination issue and merely delays proper disposal. Hence, removing and discarding upholstered items that have been saturated with blood or bodily fluids is the appropriate and safest action to take.