The clutter has been cleared and brown-stained walls have had a fresh coat of white paint, after a 12-hour cleanup of Mr Tan Soy Yong's home.

The 76-year-old former cleaner was in the news in October, when he was cleaned up by a good Samaritan after being found covered in faeces in public.

When The Straits Times visited Mr Tan and his wife at their three-room Potong Pasir flat then, the floor and walls had been soiled with faeces.

On Sunday, 35 volunteers from informal group Helping Joy, which cleans the homes of low-income families once a month, did a makeover of his flat.

It also donated new and second-hand items such as mattresses, fans and chests of drawers.

"There were many things to clear - lots of old clothes, hats and briefcases," said Helping Joy's founder, Mr Steven Goh, 36.

"Mr Tan and his wife told us that they are happy. There is no more foul smell and no clutter. It is like a totally new house."

PRISCILLA GOY