Preparing for Your Hoarder Cleanout

June 7, 2021

There are dozens of reasons you might find yourself with the responsibility of clearing out a house that has been packed full of stuff. A loved one might pass away, leaving behind a home. A friend might finally seek for help with their hoarding, and is hopeful to restore the home to its previous state. Whatever the case, a hoarding clean out is a big job, and very difficult to take on alone.

How to Know If It's Hoarding

If you're not sure whether you're dealing with an actual hoarder cleanup or not, here are a few key signs:

The homeowner/resident has been diagnosed with a hoarding disorder.

All surfaces have piles of items on them, organized or not (counters, tables, beds, couches, chairs, sinks, stoves, etc).

The space is crowded and overfilled, making movement around the space difficult.

The accumulation of stuff has interrupted the ability to live life normally, and/or use important areas of the home (bathroom, kitchen, fire hazards, mold, etc).

Finally, the homeowner/resident has extreme difficulty getting rid of items, and feels attached regardless of what the item may be.

Getting Started

Because hoarding often causes issues and hazards within the home, there are a few basic things you should do to prepare before you get started:

Use Protection: protective eyewear, face mask, gloves, and clothing that can be soiled.

Have Patience: if you're working with the person struggling with hoarding, decision-making will seem irrational, and the process will be long and delicate.

Gather Resources/Materials: evaluate what you will need (cleaning supplies, trash disposal, recycling, extra hands) and have them ready to go ahead of time.

Room by Room: focusing on one room at a time will give you smaller goals to focus on, making it easier to keep going and track progress.

Sort: categorize the items between things to keep, donate/sell, and throw away, and be sure to have organized, clean spaces to put items in these categories

Cleaning Out With the Count

If you're facing a full house, Count Junkula has resources for every step of the process. From the Greater Charlotte area to Raleigh, North Carolina, our experts are ready to create a plan of action, and help you reclaim your home. Contact us to get started.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Do you offer dumpster rentals for hoarder clean-out projects?

    Yes, we offer dumpster rental services to facilitate large-scale clean-outs. Our dumpsters come in various sizes to cater to the unique needs of each hoarder clean-out project.

  • Are items removed during the clean-out recycled or disposed of sustainably?

    Count Junkula is committed to environmentally responsible practices. We recycle and donate items wherever possible, diverting them from landfills and promoting sustainable disposal methods.

  • How long does a typical hoarder clean-out project take?

    The duration of a clean-out project can vary significantly based on the severity of the hoarding situation and the size of the property. We work efficiently to complete the clean-out in a timely manner, while ensuring a thorough job is done.

  • Is there any type of junk or material that Count Junkula cannot remove during a hoarder clean-out?

    While we strive to accommodate all removal requests, there are certain hazardous materials that we cannot handle. Please discuss the specifics of your clean-out project with us to understand what we can and cannot remove.