A hoarder is someone who compulsively gathers items and refuses to part with them. It can be a difficult situation for both the hoarder and their loved ones, as the hoarder’s chaotic behavior creates an overwhelming amount of clutter and mess in their home.
Houses that are well-kept and tidy are generally more pleasant places for people to live in. And all of us like to have perfectly spotless homes, but maintaining them this way can be overwhelming. This is especially true if the debris has been building up for years and the ‘hoard’ is massive. So, how do you deal with such an enormous task if you have a family member, roommate, or close friend you want to help?
In this article, you’ll learn how to clean a hoarder’s home effectively and quickly.
Assess the Situation and Device a Plan
You need an organized plan to clean a hoarder’s house without creating more stress and anxiety. Planning beforehand is essential to get through this without putting undue strain on yourself. In order to learn what steps to take, it is important to assess the situation in advance.
The hoarder and you should devise a plan of action to help them. Making a strategy requires agreement on a set of guidelines. Nothing should be discarded without first speaking with the collector. Remember that they’ll intend to hold on to everything, which could hinder your efforts.
Be Prepared With Your Gear and Equipment
There’s no telling what’s waiting in those piles inside the hoarder’s home, so it’s best to be prepared for anything with the appropriate safety equipment. Protect yourself from irritants by wearing a hard helmet, eye protection, and sturdy rubber boots or shoes.
Get ready for unexpected emergencies by keeping a fire extinguisher, insect repellent, flashlight, and first aid supplies on hand. The ground may be littered with remnants of glass, combustible materials, mold, or insects that become aggressive when agitated.
Create a Storage Area
If you have a yard or other outdoor spot, you can set down a tarp and use that as your storage space area. On top of that, you can clear out the largest room first and use that as a storage place. Everything you wish to keep, give away, or recycle goes here. You should pile it in the storage area to go through it after the property has been cleaned.
Start With the Smallest Area First
The bathroom is among the ideal places to start working. Since there isn’t much sentimental stuff kept there, they are typically quick to clean and empty. Additionally, you’ll need easy access to running water and an available restroom while cleaning.
Perform Tasks on a Room-By-Room Basis
This rule applies to the whole property and each room you clean. You don’t want to make the task a lot more complicated by continuously tracking new dirt and belongings through an area you have already cleaned up. Once the bathroom is clean, start with the room farthest from the entryway.
Before cleaning the floor in each area, remove things piled on beds, tables, and other furniture. In the event that you discover that one of the rooms is covered in mold and mildew, you will need to hire expert mold cleaning services to get rid of the problem and prevent it from coming back.
Carry Out Necessary Repairs
Most areas where people hoard will have carpets that can’t be saved. Lifting it and checking the floor underneath is a good idea, even if it’s still in mint condition. Long-term problems with water damage, mold, or vermin can all create structural damage that needs to be fixed.
Examine the floors and walls for spots or signs of rot, and take into consideration working with a professional restoration if you suspect they have been compromised. For more details on fixing the hoarder’s house after it has been damaged by its clutter, click here.
Deep Clean the House
After all the repair work is done, you’ll need to give the house a complete cleaning before the hoarder moves in. You can do this by yourself or hire a hoarding cleanup in Tacoma, WA, to assist you in ensuring everything is clean.
Conclusion
The first step in dealing with a hoarder is to determine how to start cleaning their home. Once the house has been cleaned and all the clutter has been removed, you need to be strong and help the hoarder, so they don’t return to their old ways.
Encourage them to clean properly, see to it that they have enough cleaning products, and keep seeing a mental health professional to help them get better. Assisting hoarders in cleaning their homes is challenging and time-consuming, but it’s possible if you follow these steps