A cleaner has sounded the alarm over the state of cleanliness on the London Underground, revealing the grimy truth behind the seats countless commuters use daily.
The capital's transport network is a lifeline for millions, with last year's Transport For London figures indicating that over four million journeys are made on the tube each day. This heavy usage inevitably leads to filthy carriages and seats, which a professional cleaner, known as Mr Carpet Clean, has exposed in a stomach-churning video.
Operating across London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, and Middlesex, Mr Carpet Clean shared footage on his Instagram account @mr_carpet_clean, showcasing his cleaning process on a Northern Line train at Camden Town station.
He begins by power-washing the seats and armrests before using an electronic carpet cleaner to extract the deeply embedded dirt and debris. The resulting black and grey sludge vacuumed from the seats is a stark revelation of the filth passengers sit on.
The most disturbing part comes when he pours out the murky water collected during the clean. Mr Carpet Clean warns: "Health warning. Where do you go after travelling on the Underground?"
Hundreds of people were quick to comment – with many stating they remove their tube-worn clothes immediately upon returning home. "This is why I say no outdoor clothes on inside," one person remarked.
"And this is why we take off our outside clothes as soon as we get in," another chimed in. "As soon as I get home, clothes straight in the wash," a third added.
"The Northern Line train seats are absolutely filthy," another commented.
One puzzled individual asked: "How do they get that dirty? Like do people not wash their clothes or do they roll around in a pig pen before going on the tube?"
Meanwhile, some suggested a change in tube seating material. One pointed out: "Cleaning would've been easier if the seats were plastic."
In agreement, another said: "We should have hard plastic." Others expressed gratitude towards Mr Carpet Clean, with one saying: "Thank you for your service because this is why I say no outdoor clothes on sofas and beds."
Another added: "It's good to see the seats actually get cleaned. I always stand as I've seen the state of them."
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