Hoarder Cleanout: What to do when you inherit a hoarder home?
When you inherit a hoarder home, it can be a daunting task to clean it up. Hoarders often accumulate vast amounts of belongings over the years, and it can be overwhelming to sort through them all. However, there are several steps you can take to make the process easier. Wether you decide to tackle the job yourself or hire it out the next few steps will help get you organized so that you can manage your hoarder cleanout.
Assess the Situation
Take a look around the home and determine what items are of value, what items can be discarded, and what items need to be properly disposed of. It may be necessary to enlist professional help to do this, as hoarders often have a hard time letting go of items. You can make three piles and work on each one day by day so as to not feel overwhelmed. Depending on the size of the home it could take days if not weeks to finish. This step is speed up if you decide not to keep anything and dispose of all items.
Cleanup Process
This will involve removing all items from the home, sorting through them, and disposing of anything that is no longer usable. Start by sorting the items into piles for disposal, donation, or storage. You may find that some items are valuable, and these should be set aside for potential sale. You can find the closest disposal locations online and see their hours of operation. There are many donation locations like Goodwill or Salvation Army that can also do pickups. Keep in mind that if many of the items in the home have been there for a long time surrounded by mold, decay, or other bio materials storing it would not be a good idea.
Disposal Process
This is best done with the help of a professional junk removal company. They can come to the home and remove all of the items that need to be discarded. This will help ensure that the items are properly disposed of and will not all end up in a landfill. Also remember that taking items to the landfill can be a lengthy process as there are wait times to factor in. Sometimes it is worth your time to pay someone to do it for you.
Cleaning Process
This will involve sweeping, mopping, dusting, and vacuuming the entire home. It is important to be thorough, as hoarders often have accumulated dust and debris over the years. If necessary, it may be necessary to hire a professional cleaning service to help with the task. A deep clean is always necessary especially if there is more than just dust laying around.
Restoration Process
This may involve painting, replacing flooring, and making any other necessary repairs. Depending on the state of the home, this may require professional assistance.
Organization
Finally, it is important to establish a plan for the future. This will involve setting up a system for organizing items, such as labeling boxes and filing away paperwork.
Inheriting a hoarder home can be a difficult task, but it is possible to clean it up and restore it to a livable condition. By following these steps, you can ensure that the home is safe, clean, and organized for years to come. If necessary, you may need to enlist the help of a professional junk removal company and cleaning service to get the job done.
