A hoarder is someone that compulsively collects 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 actions create an overwhelming volume of clutter and mess in their home.
Homes that are well-kept and uncluttered are generally more pleasant places for people to live in. And all of us love to have perfectly spotless homes, but keeping them this way can be difficult. 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 relative, 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 home without causing more stress and anxiety. Planning ahead is necessary to get through this without putting undue strain on yourself. In order to know what steps to take, it is important to assess the situation in advance.
You and the hoarder must devise a plan of action to help them. Making a strategy calls for agreement on a set of ground rules. Nothing should be discarded without first speaking with the hoarder. Remember that they’ll want to hang on to everything, which could impede your efforts.
Be Prepared With Your Gear and Equipment
There’s no telling what’s lurking 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 safety helmet, eye protection, as well as sturdy rubber boots or shoes.
Prepare for unexpected emergencies by keeping a fire extinguisher, insect repellent, flashlight, and first aid supplies on hand. The ground may be cluttered with shards of glass, flammable materials, mold, or insects that become hostile when agitated.
Create a Storage Area
If you have a yard or other outdoor place, you can set down a tarp and use that as your storage space area. In addition, you can clear out the biggest room first and use that as a storage place. Everything you wish to keep, donate, or recycle goes here. You should stack 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 aren’t many sentimental belongings kept there, they are usually quick to clean and empty. Additionally, you’ll need access to running water and an available restroom while cleaning.
Perform Tasks on a Room-By-Room Basis
This rule applies to the whole home and each room you clean. You do not want to make the job a lot more complicated by constantly 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. Prior to cleaning the floor in each area, remove things piled on beds, tables, and other furnishings.
Carry Out Necessary Repairs
Most areas where people hoard will have rugs or carpets that can’t be saved. Even if it’s still in mint condition, lifting it and looking at the floor underneath is a good idea. Long-term problems with water damage, mold, or vermin can all create structural damage that needs to be repaired. Examine the floors and wall surfaces for spots or signs of rot, and take into consideration working with professional restoration companies if you think they have been compromised.
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 on your own or hire a cleaning service from companies like PuroClean of Tacoma East to assist you in ensuring everything is clean and free of water damage, mold, and other hazardous materials.
Conclusion
The first step in dealing with a hoarder is to figure out how to start cleaning their house. Once the home has been cleaned up and all the clutter has been taken out, you need to be strong and help the hoarder, so they don’t go back 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. Helping hoarders clean up their homes is hard and time-consuming, but it’s possible if you comply with these measures.