How to Start Cleaning a Hoarder’s House: A Step-by-Step Guide

This is a step-by-step guide on how to clean a hoarder’s house.

Assess the situation

Cleanup of a hoarder’s home can be a daunting task. However, with the help of this guide, it can be done safely and efficiently.

Determine the scope of the clean-up: The first step is to determine the scope of the cleanup. This will help determine what needs to be done and how much time and resources will be needed.

If there are hazardous materials present, it is important to wear appropriate protective gear, including gloves, a face mask, and a dust respirator. If you are unsure about whether or not hazardous materials are present, please consult a professional.

Identify any hazards: Once you know the scope of the cleanup, it is important to identify any potential hazards. These can include things like live wires or gas lines that may need to be shut off, propane tanks that may need to be ventilated, and asbestos that may need to be removed.

Get a cleaning contractor in: In order to ensure the safety of both you and the hoarder’s property, it is recommended that you get an experienced cleaner to assist with the cleanup.

Make a plan

Creating a clean and organized home is a daunting task for anyone, let alone someone who suffers from hoarding disorder. But it’s important to remember that cleaning up a hoarder’s house is not a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process that requires patience, determination, and most importantly, a plan.

Before you start cleaning up your hoarder’s home, it’s important to first assess the situation. What are the biggest challenges you’ll face? For example, will there be hazardous materials (like gasoline or paint) that you need to be careful of? Are there hidden storage areas that you don’t know about? Once you know what to expect, create a cleaning timeline that outlines when each task should be completed.

Once you have a plan of action, the next step is to gather the necessary supplies. You’ll need buckets, mops, brooms, gloves, trash bags, and more.

Be sure to stock up on all of the necessary cleaning products as well – most hoarders tend to hoard cleaners as well!

Once you have everything you need, it’s time to get started! Start by sweeping and mopping the floors.

Set some ground rules

There are many different ways to go about cleaning up a hoarder’s house, but the most important thing is to have some ground rules in place before beginning.

Set a timer for an hour and start by clearing any furniture out of the room. This will make it easier to move around and work.

Start by removing all the clutter from around the room. If there is furniture blocking the way, move it so you can get to everything.

If there are any items that are too dangerous or intricate to move, remove them and put them in a safe place until you can get a professional cleaner in to take care of them.

Once everything has been cleared away, start sorting through the clutter. Try to group similar items together and throw away anything that doesn’t have a purpose or isn’t worth keeping.

Once everything has been sorted, clean every surface in the room with a disinfectant wipe or disinfectant spray. Make sure to clean behind all furniture and under all carpets.

Vacuum every inch of the room and leave it clean and organized!

Start with small steps

I recently wrote an article on how to clean a hoarder’s house, and I was asked to write a step-by-step guide on how to start.

The first step is to gather all the necessary supplies. You’ll need a garbage bag, a broom and dustpan, a vacuum cleaner, and some cleaning supplies (such as bleach, ammonia, and rubbing alcohol).

  1. Start by cleaning the floor. Sweep the floor and put the garbage bag in front of the debris so that it can be disposed of properly. Use the broom to sweep away any dirt, dust, or debris.
  2. Use the dustpan to clean up any spills or food that has been left on the floor. Pour enough bleach into the pan to cover the spill and turn on the faucet until the bleach starts bubbling. Scrub the spill with a brush before putting it in the garbage bag.
  3. Vacuum all of the furniture and surfaces in the room. Make sure to vacuum underneath furniture and under all of the rugs and carpets. Remove all of the dirt, dust, and hair from every surface.

Keep at it

Hoarding is a mental disorder that causes an individual to accumulate more and more objects, regardless of whether they can use or even enjoy them. Hoarders are often unable to discard anything because they think it may be useful someday or they believe that the objects will make them happy.

Cleaning a hoarder’s house can be a difficult and frustrating task, but it is essential if you want to help the individual. This guide will outline a step-by-step process for cleaning a hoarder’s house.

Before starting, it is important to understand the psychological makeup of a hoarder. Hoarders are often irrational and forgetful, which makes organizing and cleaning their house difficult. They also have difficulty making decisions, which makes it difficult for them to get rid of clutter.

Establish boundaries. It is important to set boundaries with a hoarder in order to help them clean their house. Make sure that you communicate your expectations and limits clearly. If the hoarder resists your efforts, be patient and keep trying until you reach an agreement.

Get organized. The first step in cleaning a hoarder’s house is to get organized.