Up there is cleaner than you think.

Loft vacuumed with HEPA-filtered vacuum (CRN-rated, 99.97% capture at 0.3 microns). Standard vacuums blow fine dust back through the exhaust — we use a HEPA vacuum with sealed filtration, so dust stays in the machine. Negative-pressure containment where required (loft hatch sealed with polythene sheeting, HEPA extractor creating negative pressure in the loft — any air leaks go INTO the loft, not down into the house). This is the same protocol used for asbestos removal — applied to loft dust. The result: your rooms below stay dust-free while we clean the loft above.

Insulation (fibreglass, mineral wool, or PIR board) cleaned using a dry protocol only — no wet chemistry (water mats fibreglass and mineral wool, permanently reducing R-value). Top surface of insulation vacuumed with HEPA soft brush attachment (gentle — we don't want to disturb the insulation depth). Insulation edges (where it meets the eaves) checked — we'll flag any areas where insulation has been displaced (common at eaves where wind can get in). PIR board insulation (rigid foam boards between rafters) wiped with dry microfibre. We never move, lift, or compress insulation — that's a job for an insulation installer.

Trusses and rafters (the wooden frame of the roof) vacuumed with HEPA soft brush. Cobwebs removed with telescopic cobweb brush (extends to 4m — reaches the ridge). Spider egg sacs removed (not pleasant, but necessary). Wasp nests (old, inactive) removed — we'll flag any active wasp nest (don't disturb — call a pest controller). Dust on horizontal surfaces (truss bottoms, nail heads, wiring) HEPA-vacuumed. Wood surfaces dry-wiped. We never use water on timber in a loft (loft timber is prone to moisture damage). The frame of the roof will look like new wood, not grey dust.

Loft hatch: hinge and latch cleaned, hatch edge (where it meets the ceiling) vacuumed (dust accumulates here), hatch insulation checked (often missing — we'll flag if so, you can buy a loft hatch insulation kit for £15). Electricals (if present): light pull-cord wiped (high-touch), light fixture wiped (switch off at the consumer unit first — never clean a live light fixture), wiring dry-wiped where accessible (never touch junction boxes — we'll flag any exposed junction boxes for an electrician). Water tank (if present — older homes often have a cold-water storage tank in the loft): exterior wiped, lid checked (should be dust-tight to prevent contamination — we'll flag if the lid is missing or ill-fitting).

Items stored in the loft (Christmas decorations, suitcases, old toys, family documents, photo albums) wiped before replacement — they accumulate a layer of dust that comes off on your hands when you next get them down. Christmas decoration boxes vacuumed (spiders love them). Suitcases wiped (especially the handles — high-touch when you next travel). Photo albums and family documents wiped gently with dry microfibre (don't risk water damage). We'll flag any items showing signs of mouse damage (chewed cardboard, shredded paper) — mice in the loft is a common issue, and we'll recommend a pest controller if needed.

If we find mouse droppings (common in lofts, especially in older homes or near fields), we remove them safely. Operatives in full RPE/PPE (FFP3 respirator — hantavirus aerosol risk, Tyvec suit, double nitrile gloves). Droppings sprayed with EN 14476 virucidal disinfectant (wet them first — never vacuum dry droppings, that releases aerosols). Soaked droppings picked up with paper towel, double-bagged in biohazard bags, consigned as offensive waste. Affected surfaces disinfected with EN 14476. We never sweep or vacuum dry droppings — that's how hantavirus aerosolises. We'll recommend a pest controller to address the root cause (mouse entry points).