Steri-Clean of Illinois, a biohazard remediation and hoarding clean up company, plans to open a location in Springfield in April. This unique business was established in 1995 by Cory Chalmers, who now hosts the television show “Hoarders” on A&E. Local franchisee Tony Moser has owned Steri-Clean of Chicago for five years and is opening a Springfield office to serve the downstate area.
Moser explained that about 80 percent of his business involves dealing with hoarding situations. “We give people a chance at a fresh start. Our goal is not only to restore their home, but their lives,’ he said. “We try to make it a very positive experience so they don’t want to go back to living the same way.”
Moser has a degree in industrial engineering and worked in manufacturing for many years before deciding to switch careers. “I decided to make a change in my life, and I wanted to do something that would help people,” he said.
The remaining 20 percent of the company’s work involves other types of specialized clean up, such as crime scenes. Moser said that he’s glad his company can provide a service to people who are dealing with trauma so that they have one less thing to worry about. “We pride ourselves on being very compassionate and discreet.”
Steri-Clean also deals with clean up challenges ranging from the highly contagious MRSA super bug to fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opiod drug that has sickened first responders.
“We’re not a general purpose cleaning company or maid service,” said Moser. “Finding people who can stomach this work is a challenge. They have to be compassionate people, and they’re under a lot of pressure all day.”
Moser said he is planning to hire a project manager and at least four technicians specifically for the Springfield office, while he will oversee both offices.
