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Cleaning up a hoarding situation can be an overwhelming and emotionally draining experience for everyone involved. Due to their strong emotional attachment, it’s not easy for hoarders to part with their items, and working for those trying to help them is difficult. However, by understanding the challenges of hoarding and following some key steps around hoarding cleanup, we can make progress in reducing clutter and helping the hoarder achieve better mental health outcomes.
What is hoarding disorder?
Hoarding disorder is a complex mental illness that can cause extreme distress and impairments in daily life for the hoarder and those around them. Compulsive hoarding is described as an excessive accumulation of items and the refusal to get rid of them. People with hoarding disorder may struggle to control their urge to accumulate possessions, even if they are of little or no financial value, such as old magazines or clothing. The result is often living spaces completely cluttered and blocked off by stored items and an inability to throw things away due to the over-attachment felt towards them.
Hoarding disorder can prevent individuals from engaging in normal activities, leading to increased isolation, depression, anxiety, and shame. It can also pose a safety risk due to cluttered pathways, blocked exits, structural damage, and fire hazards from keeping too much stuff in one area. It’s essential to understand the challenges posed by hoarding to effect change and help make progress in reducing clutter for both the hoarder’s physical and mental well-being.
Stages of Hoarding
Hoarding is classified as a psychological disorder and has five distinct levels, ranging from mild clutter buildup to extreme disorganization and hazardous conditions. It’s important to understand the scale of the hoarding situation before beginning a cleanup, as different levels may require specialized help from professionals to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the project.
Stage 1 – Mild Clutter
There is minimal disruption and chaos in the living areas, though there may be some items disorganizedly stored away. The clutter can be easily moved without any effort or danger; all paths are visible; regular hoarder maintenance can also occur.
Stage 2 – Moderate Clutter
Possible mild emotional distress from clutter and/or disorganization but no significant impairment to daily activities. Some noticeable accumulation of possessions and limited access to rooms or essential household equipment. Some physical effort is needed to move them, but risks are minimal; a full-scale cleanup may still be possible by the hoarder with assistance from family and friends.
Stage 3 – Severe Clutter
Noticeable distress due to clutter and/or disorganization. Obstructions may be present, making movement difficult in some areas of the home. Physical effort is needed to move items; pathways are blocked; hoarding cleanup should be done with assistance from family and friends, or a professional service.
Stage 4 – Extreme Clutter
Severe impairment due to hoarding behavior, including blocked pathways, blocked exits, mold growth, and potential health risks from accumulated items. Living spaces are filled; moving items involves physically dismantling them in some cases; the help of professionals is highly recommended.
Stage 5 – Hazardous Conditions
Extreme hoarding situation with hazardous living conditions, inability to access essential areas such as the kitchen or bathroom, and significant risk of fire or other safety threats due to accumulated items. Items are blocking exits and pathways; structural damage is present; a professional hoarding cleanup service should be hired immediately for the safety of everyone involved.
Difference between clutter and hoarding?
While clutter and hoarding can appear similar, there are key differences. Clutter is disorganized possessions that accumulate in a space over time and can usually be cleaned up with minimal effort. Hoarding goes beyond simply having an abundance of items and requires more intense intervention.
Compulsive hoarding is an overwhelming need to collect and keep items, regardless of their usefulness or value, which causes increased difficulty in discarding items and leads to chaotic environments with blocked pathways. Furthermore, hoarding often results in significant distress or impairment for the hoarder and may require professional help to address it.
How to start a hoarding cleanup?
Hoarding clean up can be a daunting task, but it is possible to take the first steps to begin addressing a hoarding situation. If you have a loved one dealing with hoarding in stages 1-3, family members and friends can handle the sorting and organizing of their home. In more extreme cases, however, it is essential to enlist both specialized hoarding cleanup services as well as psychological help from a qualified professional.
Assess the situation
Before beginning a hoarding cleanup, it is important to assess the situation. This includes assessing how dangerous the items or environment may be, noting any infestations of rodents or other pests, and determining how much help from family members or professionals may be necessary. It can also be helpful to take photos of the space before and after the clean-up as reference points for progress.
Make a plan and create a staging area
Creating a plan can help ensure that the cleanup is organized and efficient. This includes setting goals for each day, deciding who will handle which tasks, and setting a timeline for the cleanup.
It can also be helpful to create a staging area where the items will be sorted and selected to be salvaged or stored until everything is ready to be organized.
The staging area should be spacious enough to hold all of the objects in the home and make it easier to categorize them into “keep”, “discard”, and “donate/sell” piles.
A professional organizer can be a valuable resource in this type of situation.
Check the supplies and Protective Gear
Before starting a hoarding cleanup, it is important to make sure you have the right supplies. This includes trash bags, cleaning solutions, protective gear such as gloves and masks (if there are hazardous materials in the home), and tools for dismantling furniture or objects.
Start with small steps.
It is essential to start small when it comes to hoarding cleanup. Don’t tackle the entire space at once; focus on one area or room and gradually work your way through the whole home. Giving yourself short breaks throughout the process can also be helpful to stay motivated and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Work from top to bottom
When cleaning a space, it is important to work from top to bottom. This will help prevent dust and debris from settling back on the already-cleaned surfaces.
Remove trash
Get a head start on clearing efforts by immediately getting rid of items that are garbage. Doing so makes the job easier and provides an early feeling of accomplishment. To safely and properly dispose of these items, it is important to research local disposal options such as garbage collection or recycling centers.
Watch or valuables and important papers
When sorting through items, it is important to be mindful of any valuables or documents that may need to be kept. This includes jewelry, financial records, family heirlooms, and antiques. Ensure these items are set aside and clearly labeled so they don’t get accidentally thrown away.
Remove furniture and appliances
Temporally remove furniture and appliances as needed. This will make it easier to access and clean hard-to-reach areas. If items are too large or heavy for the homeowner, enlist the help of family members or friends to assist with the task.
Check and repair
It is important to check the home’s utilities such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems which may have been damaged by clutter. If repairs are necessary, hiring a professional service provider is best.
Deep clean all the house
Once all clutter has been removed, it is time to deep clean. This includes vacuuming carpets and rugs, wiping down surfaces and walls, cleaning windows and mirrors, mopping floors, and washing curtains or other fabrics.
Here are some tips on how to approach deep cleaning in the hoarder’s home:
- Start by making a list of the areas you want to clean and break it down into manageable tasks.
- Move furniture and other items out of the way so you can access hard-to-reach places.
- Dust all surfaces, including shelves, ceiling corners, windowsills, and any electronics like TVs or computers. Always TOP to BOTTOM!
- Vacuum carpets and rugs, paying particular attention to stairs, baseboards, and edges of hardwood floors.
- Wipe down walls using a mild cleaner to get rid of dirt and grime buildup.
- Sanitize doorknobs, light switches, appliance handles, and other high-traffic surfaces using disinfectant wipes or sprays with natural ingredients like vinegar or baking soda if possible.
- Mop all types of floors with a disinfectant cleaner or diluted bleach solution as needed.
- Finally, ensure you give everything a final wipe-down with a damp cloth before finishing your project!
How should I approach a hoarder to clean and organize their home?
Approaching a hoarder to clean their home can be tricky. It’s important to approach them respectfully and non-judgmentally if you want to be successful. Here are some tips for approaching a hoarder:
- Take the time to listen and understand the hoarder’s issues and concerns. Try not to judge or make assumptions about why they are hoarding.
- Acknowledge that it is a difficult task and that it will take time, but emphasize the importance of decluttering and organizing their space for safety and health reasons if necessary.
- Make a plan of action together that outlines goals and expected outcomes of the cleaning process. This will help keep them motivated and focused on the task at hand.
- Offer emotional support during the process – be patient, compassionate, understanding, and supportive of their feelings during this daunting task.
- Have realistic expectations – since there may be emotional attachments to items that need to be discarded, it may take longer than expected to get through all the clutter!
- Suggest multifaceted assistance such as hiring professionals or enlisting family members to help remove waste and organize tasks, if necessary.
- Let the hoarder have the final word on what items get thrown away – this will help them feel more in control of the situation which may reduce stress levels associated with getting rid of things in their home.
- Look into strategies to prevent further accumulation such as seeking professional help to improve mental health or emotional support from family members or counselors if needed.
How Long Does a Hoarder Cleanup Take?
The time it takes to clean up and reorganize a hoarder’s home depends on the individual situation. It may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks—or even longer in some cases—to get everything cleaned up and organized. However, here are some factors that can influence the timeline:
- The size of the home – larger homes with more clutter will take more time to clean up than smaller apartments or homes with less clutter.
- The level of hoarding – if there is extreme hoarding in the home, it will likely take much longer to get organized as they may have many items with emotional attachments that must be sorted before being discarded.
- The amount of help available – enlisting family members or professionals can speed up the process as more hands make light work.
- How motivated the hoarder is – since decluttering and cleaning can be an overwhelming and daunting task, it’s important to remain supportive, patient, and understanding while they work through their goals!
When to hire a Professional cleaning company?
Cleaning up a hoarded home requires a special approach that takes into account, not just the mess, but also the emotional and mental wellbeing of those living in the home. Therefore, it can be beneficial for those affected by hoarding to enlist professional assistance from a cleaning company whose employees have been trained to handle these unique situations with sensitivity and respect. Having a team of experts on board can make the process faster and more efficient, providing valuable resources beyond just tidying up the space.
Additionally, having a certified mental health professional involved can ensure that proper precautions are taken while handling items with sentimental value as well as guide the process. This can be an important part of helping individuals affected by hoarding get back on their feet and start down a path of healing. Hiring professionals for such tasks is likely your best option for achieving desired results in the most efficient manner possible.
How much do hoarding cleanup services cost?
The cost of hoarding clean-up services from professional cleaners can vary widely depending on the size and scope of the project. Generally, it is assumed that the entire house needs to be addressed and may require multiple days of work from a hoarder cleaning crew.
Along with any necessary repairs, materials, and supplies, professional fees for a hoarding clean-up job can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars for an entire home makeover. The exact cost will depend on factors such as the amount of clutter, the number of rooms to be cleaned, the availability of local professionals, and other special considerations.
What does the hoarding cleanup service include?
Hoarding cleanup services typically include thoroughly sorting, organizing, and removing items from the hoarder’s house. Services may also include disposing of garbage, transporting unwanted items to donation centers or other appropriate locations, deep cleaning the affected areas, and repairs if necessary.
Professional services can help to ensure that all tasks are carried out safely and securely while preserving any sentimental items or valuable documents that may have been hidden in the clutter.
Do you have a family member or friend in need of help?
It is important to address hoarding as it is a serious issue that can have lifelong consequences if left untreated. If you or someone you know is affected by hoarding, reach out to a professional cleaning company and talk with them about their services and how they can help.
Hiring a hoarder clean-up professional can be the safest and most efficient way to handle a hoarder’s situation. Professional cleaners come equipped with the tools and resources to clean up cluttered areas, dispose of garbage and hazardous items, protect sentimental belongings, sort through paper piles, and repair any damaged furniture or walls if needed. Working with an experienced team will also ensure that all legal protocols are followed when it comes to disposing of potentially rotten food, medications, or other items.
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