Cleaner Extracts Bucket of Sludge from Tube Seats!
- A video shows Steven James cleaning four seats on a Northern Line train, revealing a bucket of filthy water.
- Transport for London criticized James for potentially endangering passengers during the cleaning process.
- The incident sparked public outrage and heightened awareness of the Tube's cleaning practices.
Steven James, a cleaner known as Mr Carpet Clean, shocked viewers by posting a video of himself cleaning four seats on a Northern Line train at Camden Town station. The footage shows him power-washing the seats and employing an electronic carpet cleaner to remove entrenched dirt. The resulting sludge was collected in a yellow bucket, prompting viewers to express disgust about the cleanliness of Tube seats. Many shared that they prefer to stand rather than sit due to grime concerns. The video, meant to promote James' cleaning company, raised alarms from Transport for London (TfL), which claimed his actions endangered passengers by disposing of the dirty water near live rail. Despite James' assurance that he did not put anyone at risk, TfL described the activity as hazardous. TfL maintains a regular cleaning schedule for the Underground, which includes daily pre-service cleans and deep cleaning every 28 days. Though he described the aftermath of the cleaning process as 'the pinnacle of the therapeutic side' of his work, James cautioned viewers against attempting to clean the seats themselves, stating he won’t repeat the action in future. The public reaction—ranging from horror about the cleanliness of public transport to concerns over health risks—emphasizes ongoing discussions around sanitation practices in the London Underground system.