Helping your loved ones clean their home following a hoarder situation can be incredibly daunting. With rooms full of belongings, it can feel overwhelming, and you might not know where to begin; the emotions associated with a hoarder clean-out can be even more difficult to overcome.
At Canyon View Dumpsters & Toilets, we understand the importance of safely starting a hoarder clean-out project. If you are about to start a hoard clean-out and you want to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and comfortable during this process, keep reading to see what our team recommends.
What is Hoarding?
Hoarding is a mental disorder that makes it difficult for individuals to throw away or part with belongings because they believe they need to save them. When throwing things away, they may experience distress. Over time, they may create an extremely cramped living environment. Their possessions may take over kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and more, leaving these rooms unusable.
Hoarding disorders can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the hoarding tendencies have little to no impact on their life. However, some hoarding cases can seriously impact their day-to-day function. Those who experience hoarding disorders may not realize that their behavior is troublesome, which makes treatment incredibly important.
Identifying Hoarder Behaviors
Individuals who experience a hoarding disorder often begin to experience symptoms in their early teenage to adult years. Their collection of belongings may grow rapidly into later adulthood, and the hoarding may become more difficult to treat. Some individuals who experience hoarding disorder may avoid inviting friends and family into their space, making it difficult to identify the problem until it is more severe.
While it may be difficult to identify early on, there are a few signs you can look out for to spot hoarding tendencies, including:
- Ongoing difficulty throwing away belongings, even if they have little to no value
- Problems with planning and organizing
- A need to save items and a feeling of distress around disposing of them
- Keeping items, even if there is nowhere appropriate for them to be stored
If you believe you may be experiencing a hoarding disorder, it may be in your best interest to reach out to a trusted mental health provider for help. They can help you determine an accurate diagnosis and provide you with a reliable treatment plan.
How to Safely Begin a Hoarder Clean-Out
If you are starting a hoarder clean-out project, it is important that you take as many steps as possible to keep yourself and your loved ones safe throughout. If you are about to start a hoarder clean-out project, consider taking the following steps to stay safe.
1. Make a Schedule
If you are planning to start a hoard clean-out, the first step you should take is to establish a schedule. When you are doing a full home clear-out, it can feel like an overwhelming task. By creating a schedule and breaking down the cleanup into more manageable sections, it becomes easier to start the project and stay on track. Your schedule should also give you the necessary opportunities to take breaks and rest throughout the project.
2. Set Goals
When you are working with a loved one on their hoarder clean-out, it is important that you set goals and establish boundaries. While setting your schedule, discuss specific areas that they feel should be addressed first, like entertaining spaces, bedrooms, or the kitchen. You should also establish criteria for items that should be disposed of so they have a clear objective as they move through the project. These goals should make for a much smoother process as you begin to clear the space.
3. Be Patient
It is important that you try to remain as patient as possible when starting a hoarder clean-out. While getting rid of items may not be difficult for you, it can be incredibly difficult for your loved one. They will need as much support as possible as you move through the project. To provide them with this support, try to remain as positive and patient as possible as you help your loved one let go of their possessions.
4. Wear Appropriate Safety Gear
While this might not be the case with every hoard clean-out, it is important to keep safety gear on hand throughout the project if you believe you may come in contact with hazardous substances. There may be mold beneath clutter, especially in spaces like kitchens and bathrooms that are more frequently exposed to steam and water. Keeping appropriate masks and gloves on hand will keep you safe while removing old belongings.
5. Work Room by Room
As a part of your goal setting, you should plan to work room by room when completing a hoard clean-out. Working room by room will help you keep momentum. You’ll get to see the immediate results of clearing out one room at a time, which should help motivate you to move on to the next space. This is also a great way to rebuild momentum if you’re feeling burnt out. Try to clear out a small room to get the project back on track.
6. Ensure Proper Waste Removal
One of the most important parts of a hoarder clean-out is that you have an appropriate place to throw away old belongings. If you are planning a full home clear-out, having a residential rental dumpster available is an important step to ensure you have room to dispose of these items. With a variety of dumpster sizes, rental dumpsters are the perfect addition to any clean-out project you have planned.
Turn to Canyon View Dumpsters before Your Hoarder Clean-Out
If you are about to start a hoarder clean-out, turn to our team at Canyon View Dumpsters & Toilets for help. At Canyon View Dumpsters & Toilets, our team understands the importance of quickly addressing a hoarder situation and ensures quick, reliable delivery of your rental dumpster so you can begin your clean-out project as soon as possible. With 15-, 20, and 30-yard dumpsters available, we’re confident that we have the right equipment for any clean-out projects. If you are ready to schedule a dumpster delivery for your hoarder clean-out project, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today.
