Moving into a new home is always a challenge. However, moving into a hoarder home comes with additional challenges and can be overwhelming for anyone. The clutter, the filth, and the potential health hazards can make it impossible to know where to start with the cleaning process. But don’t worry, in this blog post, we’ll give you tips on how to start cleaning out a hoarder’s home.
Mental Preparation
The first step in cleaning out a hoarder’s home is to mentally prepare yourself for the task ahead. This means understanding that the cleaning process will be challenging and will require a lot of time and effort. You’ll also have to deal with emotional attachments the hoarder may have with the items they’ve accumulated. It’s important to be patient and understanding of this.
Get Professional Help
Cleaning a hoarder’s home can be emotionally and physically draining; therefore, getting professional help is important. Professional cleaners specialize in handling hoarding situations and know exactly what to do to start the process of hoarder clean out. They will help you sort out the items, clean the place, and dispose of anything that’s not needed. They can also offer a supportive environment for the hoarder and ensure that the cleaning process is done with empathy for their situation.
Sort Out the Items
Once you’re ready to start cleaning, sort out the items in the home. This means separating the clutter and figuring out what to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. You want to keep things that are important to the hoarder, things that are useful or personal, but discard anything that is dirty, damaged, or useless. Make sure that the items that are kept are only the ones that the hoarder needs or values.
Thorough Cleaning
A hoarder’s home can be filled with a lot of dirt and grime, and over time, this can result in unpleasant odors and health hazards. Therefore, it’s important to do a thorough cleaning of the space. This includes cleaning the walls, floors, and surfaces. Don’t forget about frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, etc. Make sure you use disinfectant products to ensure that the home is clean and safe for the hoarder and inhabitants of the home.
Stay Organized
To make sense of the items kept after sorting them out, it’s important to stay organized. This means establishing a working system to help keep the hoarder’s place clean and organized. Once items are kept in designated places, it would be easier to keep the place clean and clutter-free. Remember to encourage the hoarder to maintain the organization system you’ve established to help them avoid hoarding items again.
Cleaning out a hoarder’s home may seem like an impossible task; however, with patience, empathy, and the right strategies, it can be done. Mental preparation, seeking professional help, sorting out the items, thorough cleaning, and staying organized are the necessary steps to help make the process less daunting. Remember to always approach the task with a supportive attitude towards the hoarder, which will make for a more positive experience for everyone involved.
