How to Approach Hoarding Clean Up

This last year has been tough on so many people, and with many stuck indoors, hoarding situations have only become worse. This time on the BioClean Team blog, we wanted to give you some tips on how to approach a hoarding clean up situation, if you have to.

Hoarding Clean Up Quick Tip List

If you read nothing else in this article, read this list. It covers the big ideas of any hoarding clean up job and from here you will be able to start the job. But it’s best to have a complete picture of the scope of work before you start!

The List

  • Have Your Tools and Supplies Ready
  • Have a Team – This Isn’t A One Day Job
  • Clean One Room at a Time
  • STOP if You Find Mold, House Damage, or Other Biohazards

Have Your Tools and Supplies Ready

Hoarding clean ups are a different level of cleaning. You’ll need to be prepared with all sorts of supplies you might not consider ‘normal’ cleaning supplies. Without them the job won’t just be difficult, it can be hazardous to your health!

You’ll Need

  • Boxes/Storage Containers
  • Large, Strong Trash Bags
  • Gloves, Masks
  • Towels
  • Dusters
  • Cleaning Products
  • Brooms, Mops, and Buckets
  • Ladders
  • Vacuums
  • A Dumpster

Have a Team

As we said, this isn’t a one day job and it certainly isn’t for just one person. A hoarding situation is a massive about of garbage, clutter, and filth. You’ll need the extra manpower to help move out the accumulated stuff as well as heavy lifting. The more the merrier when it comes to clean up crews!

Clean One Room at a Time

Because of the nature of hoarding cleanups, you’ll need to focus on one room at a time to get the best results. Two reasons. These are huge undertakings and if you spread out your work you’ll likely feel overwhelmed as nothing appears to be getting clean. When you focus on one room at a time you’ll be able to see the impact your efforts are having. Clean from the top-down, meaning clear stacks of clutter and garbage that are higher up before starting with vacuuming the carpet. 

As you’re focusing on one room, sort everything into piles, the most common being Trash, Keep, Donate. When it comes to hoarding clean ups there will be a lot of stuff to go through. So the piles are going to be big. Move everything out of the room, sort it into the piles, and then with everything out, start cleaning.

STOP If You Find Damage, Mold, or Biohazardous Environments!

Hoarding homes are unfortunately the perfect environment for things to get gross. With boxes and trash left to stack, moisture can gather and let mold grow unchecked, cracks in windows or walls can go unnoticed, or, Heaven forbid, pets may pass. Any of these can create situations for you to be in, even if you’re gloved and masked up. Mold requires ventilator masks and a professional to remediate the home. Mold is a lot like cockroaches, if you see some on the wall or ceiling, there is a lot more hiding somewhere.

At this point, if you’ve come across any of these hazardous situations, it’s time to call in the professionals. People with the right tools and know how to clean and remediate the home safely. If you are in the Southern California or Las Vegas Area, give The BioClean Team a call today!