How to Clean a Hoarder House: Your Guide to a Quick Cleanup!

Walking into a hoarder's house feels like entering a packed storage unit.

Mary J. shared with us how she felt upon visiting a hoarder relative, "I stood at my aunt's door, feeling overwhelmed by all the stuff."

Cleaning a hoarder's house is more than just tidying up. It's about dealing with years of memories and possessions and handling unknowns safely. Hoarder house cleaning can involve serious damage to the property that isn't immediately visible because of all of the clutter.

Hoarding disorder affects 2-5% of people, making homes hard to live in and unsafe. Cleaning these homes requires patience and a good plan. We will share some cleaning tips to make a cluttered house safe and comfortable, while respecting the mental health of the hoarder.

Starting to clean a hoarder's house might seem hard, that's because it is! Don't worry though. We'll make a plan to declutter, tackle fire hazards and improve air quality. The goal is to make a healthier space that supports better mental health and well-being.

Key Takeaways

• Start with a small room to maintain motivation during cleanup
• Prioritize safety by addressing fire hazards and structural issues
• Sort items into categories: keep, donate, recycle, or discard
• Use proper cleaning supplies to sanitize and improve living conditions
• Hire a professional for large-scale or emotionally challenging cleanups
• Address underlying mental health issues to prevent future hoarding
• Establish routines for ongoing decluttering and maintenance

If you are in a situation where you need to sell the house quickly and as-is, you should consider selling the hoarder house fast to a cash house buyer. They will buy the house even with all of the stuff in it. This can be a huge time saver and life saver.

Safety Risks in a Hoarder's House

Cleaning a hoarder's house is full of dangers. The mess creates a perfect setting for hazards not immediately visible to the eye. Let's look at the risks found in these cluttered places.

Fire Hazards and Structural Damage

Hoarded houses are fire hazards. Newspapers and clothes can catch fire easily. Blocked exits make it hard to escape.

The weight of all the clutter can weaken floors and walls. This could cause them to collapse. Foundations can start to shift.

Health Concerns and Sanitation Issues

Dust and mold are common in hoarded homes. They can cause breathing problems and allergies. Rotting food and animal waste are biohazards.

Feces and other waste can spread diseases. Especially if the hoarder has or had pents, a health professional should be consulted.

According to HelpGuide.org, "Animal hoarding is the continued accumulation of pets despite being unable to provide the necessary space, nutrition, sanitation, or veterinary care to keep the animals—or you—healthy and safe."

Pest Infestations and Air Quality Problems

Clutter attracts pests like rodents and insects. They leave droppings, making the air worse. Proper waste management is key.

Stagnant air traps pollutants, causing breathing issues. This is why air quality is a big problem.

According to Hoarders911.com, "Household pests are attracted to all sorts of things. Some may be drawn to the smell of old food lingering in the air, while others – like bed bugs – might be brought into the home from the act of hoarding itself."

Professional cleaners wear protective gear to avoid risks. They know how to manage waste safely. Cleaning a hoarder's house needs careful planning to avoid injury or illness.

How long should it take to clean a hoarders house?

Cleaning a hoarder's house is a tough job that needs careful planning. The time it takes depends on the house size and how bad the hoarding is.

For most hoarder's homes, cleaning can take a few days to weeks. It's best to clean one room at a time. This way, you can clean thoroughly and keep moving forward.

If you will be disposing of most items, wheel barrows, dolly's, and roll off dumpsters can help speed up the process to within a week or two.

When cleaning the whole house, start with smaller rooms. This helps you feel accomplished and see progress. You'll need:

• Heavy-duty trash bags
• Gloves and protective gear
• Disinfectants and cleaning solutions
• A large vehicle and or roll-off dumpsters for junk removal

Getting professional help can make cleaning faster. Experts have the tools, skills, and team to tackle hoarding quickly. They can start cleaning and do in days what might take weeks for one person.

Cleaning a hoarder's house is more than just getting rid of stuff. It involves emotional work and making choices. It's important to be patient and understanding during this time.

Essential Cleaning Supplies and Equipment

Cleaning a hoarder's house needs the right tools. Safety is key when facing clutter that might hide dangers. Let's look at the must-have items for this tough task.

Personal Protective Gear

Your health is important during heavy cleaning. Wear a strong glove to protect your hands from sharp things. A hard hat keeps you safe from falling items in unstable spots. And, don't forget a mask to block dust and allergens.

Cleaning Solutions and Tools

Get all-purpose cleaners and disinfectants ready. You'll need brooms, mops, and vacuums for different surfaces. Shovels are great for moving big piles of stuff. This equipment is key to tackling years of grime.

A shop-vac can be a life saver when it comes to having to pick up debris without causing a lot of unhealthy dust to be kicked into the air. One tip to use when hoarding cleaning is to add a paper scoop to the back of the outgoing air on the shop-vac so that the air is blow upward instead of straight or down as this can disturb more dust on items and on the floor.

Waste Management Supplies

Heavy-duty trash bags are a must for sorting and removing items. Renting a dumpster makes disposal easier, especially for big cleanups. Use empty boxes to organize items to keep, donate, or throw away.

• Fire extinguisher for safety
• Flashlight for dark corners
• First aid kit for emergencies
• Bug spray for pest issues

For severe hoarding cases, you might need special gear. Professional services often have advanced cleaning equipment for biohazards or extreme clutter. They know the physical and mental challenges of these cleanups, making them a great help for tough jobs.

How to Clean a Hoarder's House: Step-by-Step Guide

Cleaning a hoarder's house can feel like a huge task. A detailed step-by-step guide can help make it more manageable. We'll break it down into simple steps to create a solid cleaning plan.

Creating a Staging Area

Begin with a small room to get started. Create a sorting area outside the house. This spot is key for organizing items and deciding what to keep, donate, or throw away.

Sorting and Categorizing Items

Sorting is a crucial step. Sort items into four groups: keep, donate, discard, and recycle. This approach helps control the clutter and makes cleaning easier.

• Keep: Essential and sentimental items
• Donate: Usable items in good condition
• Discard: Damaged or unusable items
• Recycle: Materials that can be recycled

We like to have a Goodwill and Salvation Army pile. This pile can include things like Jackets and items that can be donated to the needy.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Surfaces

After sorting, it's time for deep cleaning. Empty rooms and clean from top to bottom. Focus on areas that might have mold or pests. Use the right cleaning solutions and tools to sanitize everything.

If the hoarder is around, keep talking to the hoarder as you clean. This helps them feel comfortable and cooperative. It makes the cleaning process smoother for everyone.

Dealing with Sentimental Items and Emotional Attachment

Cleaning a hoarder's house is more than just removing clutter. It's about facing the emotional ties to their possessions. Hoarding often comes from deep psychological trauma, making it hard to let go.

Sentimental value is a big part of hoarding. Many items hold memories or connect us to loved ones. Start by sorting out non-emotional items to build up the courage. This helps prepare for the harder task of dealing with sentimental objects.

Here are some tips for handling emotionally charged items:

• Keep one special item instead of everything
• Display cherished objects rather than hiding them away
• Take photos of items before parting with them
• Use sentimental items in daily life to enjoy them fully

Remember, getting rid of sentimental clutter is part of healing. It's important to be patient and understanding. Working with a mental health professional can offer great support and help tackle underlying hoarding issues.

"I think the danger of sentimental items (and sentimentality in general) is far more subtle. If you want to get rid of an item, but the only reason you are holding on to it is for sentimental reasons—and if it is weighing on you—then perhaps it’s time to get rid of it, perhaps it’s time to free yourself of the weight.", Joshua Fields Millburn from the Minimalists.

By focusing on experiences over things and making your home a sanctuary, you can change your living space. It becomes a place of relaxation and appreciation for what truly matters.

Proper Disposal and Recycling Methods

Cleaning a hoarder's house needs careful handling of different items. It's important to focus on recycling, waste management, and donating items that are still good. Let's look at some effective ways to dispose and recycle properly.

Identifying Hazardous Materials

When dealing with hazardous materials, safety comes first. About 60% of hoarder house clean-outs involve getting rid of hazardous waste. Always wear the right protective gear and follow local rules for disposing of things like paint, chemicals, and medicines.

Donating Usable Items

Donating items is a wonderful way to reduce waste and help others. Go through the items and pick out those that are still in good shape for donation. Many charities offer to pick up large donations. About 60% of the cleanup work is sorting, organizing, and donating.

Recycling and Waste Removal Services

Recycling is key for taking care of our environment. Use different bins for recyclables, trash, and items to keep. For big cleanups, consider renting a dumpster. Many places have bulk trash pickup services to help manage a lot of waste.

• Use heavy-duty garbage bags for trash
• Separate items into 12-gallon bins for keeping
• Take filled bags to recycling centers promptly
• Check local government websites for electronic and battery disposal guidelines

Don't forget to take breaks and drink plenty of water during the cleanup. With good planning and following local rules, you can handle waste disposal and recycling well in a hoarder's house cleanup.

When to Seek Professional Help

Are there people you can hire to clean a hoarder house? Absolutely!

Cleaning a hoarder's house can feel like a huge task. In really tough cases, it's best to call a professional cleaning company. They have the skills to tackle hard situations and offer both physical and emotional support.

Hoarding cleanup services are key when facing:

• Biohazards
• Structural damage
• Severe clutter

Professional cleaners know how to handle dangerous materials safely. They also follow local rules. This is important for keeping everyone safe and healthy. Of course, there is a cost to cleaning a hoarder house with professionals. This typically runs into several thousand dollars without any biohazards or structural damage.

If there are sanitary issues, the owner could get reported. Code violations could be issues and the hoarder house could end up condemned.

Mental health issues often cause hoarding behaviors. If the person shows signs of severe distress or fights cleanup efforts, get a mental health expert involved. These specialists know a lot about hoarding disorders and can offer the support needed.

Don't try to clean without the person's consent. They must want to tackle their hoarding behavior. Motivating them, listening, and suggesting professional help are important steps in supporting someone with hoarding disorder.

Conclusion

Cleaning a hoarder's house is a big job that needs patience and understanding. It's not just about cleaning up. It's also about emotional support and finding long-term solutions.

Creating a clean and safe space can be very hard, especially when it's a loved one's belongings. Getting professional help is very important. They have the skills and tools to deal with pests and biohazard removal. The cost can be from $2,000 to $25,000, based on how bad the situation is and what services are needed.

A hoarding intervention is more than just cleaning. It's about helping your loved one deal with a serious mental health issue. It's important to offer ongoing support, understand what triggers their behavior, and get professional advice. With the right help and approach, you can turn a messy space into a comfortable and safe home. This helps the person's well-being too.

If you know of a situation where the house needs to be sold and you do not want to have to clean it out, consider getting a cash offer. You can sell the house with everything in it. Danny Buys Houses pays cash for houses and will buy the house as-is, even with everything still in it. Give us a call and find out what we can pay in cash for the house today.