Hoarding is a psychologically driven instinct to keep items that may or may not provide utility or value. The drive can be caused by environmental factors, underlying mental illness, or other medical causes. Hoarding can affect the cleanliness of a home and can be challenging to overcome. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to clean a hoarder’s house to get it ready for sale.
But first, it’s essential to review the risks that come with cleaning a hoarder’s house.
- Risk 1: Lack of Regulations
One of the dangers of cleaning a hoarder’s house is that there are no regulations or laws regulating hoarders’ behavior. You never know what you are walking into when you enter the home of a hoarder. The environment could harbor hidden health and safety dangers and requires adequate safety gear to ensure that all parties are safe throughout the cleaning process.
- Risk 2: Cleaning Safety
Many problems arise in a home that is cluttered and unsafe. Homes of hoarders can be very unsanitary. There may be hidden amounts of garbage, mold, mildew, dirt, and other debris. As a result, the home becomes a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria and parasites. These insects and diseases can make you sick, and in some cases, can even be fatal.
Learning how to clean a hoarder’s house can be a complex matter. It can be a messy and disgusting job. However, you must have the home cleaned because it is the best way to ensure the health and safety of all involved. Cleaning the house can also save you money in the long run.
Here are a few simple tips to help you learn how to clean a hoarder’s house fast.
Create a Plan & Decluttering Strategy
If you’re ever in a hoarding situation, it’s essential to evaluate the area and create an effective decluttering and cleaning strategy. In cases like this, people have lost all sense of how much they own because everything is scattered throughout the home. Bear in mind that this can be tough on them as well. Doing a major cleanup without addressing their needs might make matters worse for their condition. You’ll need strong willpower and empathy when facing a hoarding situation.
Protect Yourself With Proper Clothing
When cleaning this type of home, it is crucial to be prepared for anything. It’s especially important to pay attention to what you wear to clean a hoarder’s house – as this is vital to your health and safety. Consider using personal protective gear for protection and wearing thick clothing for an extra layer of protection. Other ways to protect yourself include the use of:
- Gloves: Wear disposable gloves to protect against allergens such as dust or mold while wearing eye protection at all times as well.
- Shoes: Keep sturdy shoes on hand if there is broken glass or other hazards that could cut your feet when walking around the house.
- Bug Spray: It would also help to have bug spray. Once areas are disturbed, there are likely insects that have been hiding among the debris.
- Face Masks: Surgical masks will work, but it’s even better if you can get your hands on N95 masks. These masks can protect you against airborne pathogens in the house.
Bring Essential Cleaning Supplies
Consider bringing the following essential supplies along with you when you clean the hoarder’s home:
- Heavy-duty trash bags
- Empty boxes of various sizes
- Buckets and mops
- All-purpose cleaners and disinfectants
- Sponges, wipes, and cleaning cloths
- Broom and dustpan
- A vacuum cleaner with plenty of bags
- Step ladder
- Shovel
- Hand tools
Remove Everything From The Home
The first thing that you need to do is remove everything from the home. Once you have done this, you should see what the source of the clutter is. Is it paper, food packages, old rusted tools, or something else? Minimize the clutter from one corner of the room to the other, and continue this pattern throughout the home.
Double Check Your Checklist
Once you have determined the source of the clutter, you will then need to eliminate the items. When learning how to clean a hoarding house, you should keep a hoarder house cleaning checklist on hand. Try to deep clean commonly overlooked areas that dirt or debris can pile up in, such as behind the toilet or around the fridge and counters.
Seek Professional Hoarding Assistance
If you feel as though you cannot clean up the hoarding yourself, you may want to enlist the help of a professional. There are many companies out there that specialize in helping hoarders clean out their homes. They can provide the right tools and resources to make the process faster and smoother.
The hoarder house cleaning cost can be expensive, but they are trained in all safety precautions and can get the job done quickly. Although learning how to clean a hoarding house may take time and patience, you will reap the rewards when the clutter is gone, and you are able to put the house on the market.
Utilize Services for Hoarders
Some hoarders have turned to social services and outpatient programs for additional help and support to overcome their hoarding impulses. There are services available in local communities and through regional centers. You can contact your local government and ask for assistance. These groups are designed to help with basic and advanced organizing and cleaning tasks for hoarders.
Professional organizations and associations also have information on how to deal with hoarder issues in the family. Since each hoarder is different, it will take special attention to address the problems individually.
To mitigate future instances of hoarding disrupting your health and safety, or the safety of the home, you should try to work with the hoarder and their immediate family to find the most effective solution to their problems.
Skip the Cleaning Process & Sell Your Hoarder House Fast to a Real Estate Cash Investor
Cleaning a hoarder’s home can be costly, time-consuming, and even physically dangerous if experienced professionals don’t handle the cleanup process. If you choose to take on the project yourself, it’s crucial to take the time to prepare adequately. This will involve purchasing personal protective gear and finding cleaning checklists that you can reference throughout the process.
If you’re looking to sell a hoarder’s home fast and don’t want to deal with the hassle of cleaning it yourself, another solution is to sell the home to a reputable cash buyer. At Pavel Buys Houses, we buy homes in Massachusetts in any condition for a fair price.
For more information or a free consultation with one of our real estate experts, give us a call or text us at 781-309-7085.
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