19 Supplies You Need to Clean a Hoarder Home

19 Supplies you need to clean a Hoarder Home

In the process of cleaning a hoarder’s house and before you clean the hoarder home, you need to come up with a supplies list to stay organized and efficient.

Going through a hoarder ’s stuff is somewhat similar to a scavenger hunt, only without the fun usually involved in the game. Having a well-planned list will help you achieve a favorable outcome of such an overwhelming endeavor. There are several items you must have when cleaning a hoarder’s home.

Here is a list of the supplies we use when cleaning hoarder homes:

 These supplies are necessary when cleaning a hoarding situation:

  1. Goggles
  2. Mask
  3. Respirator
  4. Uniform
  5. Disposable gloves
  6. Heavy duty trash bags
  7. Empty boxes
  8. Buckets and mops
  9. All-purpose cleansers
  10. Sponges/cleaning cloths
  11. Broom/dust pan
  12. Vacuum cleaner
  13. Tarps (for piling things on and dragging for quick transport)
  14. Dolly for moving heavy items (regular & appliance)
  15. Shovel
  16. Set of hand tools
  17. Fire-extinguisher
  18. Repellent spray
  19. Flashlight

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These are the exact  supplies we use when cleaning out a hoarder’s home. This list should help you to get up and running!

Be careful for sharp objects (knives, broken glass, etc.) that may hurt you and immediately call the professionals if you find evidence of bio-hazardous materials.  Biohazardous waste is waste that contains blood, and various biological fluids from a human or animals that may contain dangerous pathogens. According to Behavioral Health Central, more than 3 million Americans suffer from hoarding disorder. If you or family member is suffering from hoarding call JunkDoctorsNJ Today 973-366-8083.

https://www.junkdoctorsnj.com/blog/hoarding-scale-the-5-levels-of-hoarding/

A-Z List: Junk in Your Home

A-Z List: Junk Piling Around Your House

You work hard to keep your home neat and free of clutter. But did you know that even when your home looks neat and spot-free, they might actually be home to all sorts of junk?

There are lots of reasons why people hold onto junk. The plans of giving it away, fixing it, or selling it. This can be problematic, as in certain situations, the inability to throw anything away can become a pathological disorder known as “hoarding” But enough of that lets see that list.

A-Z List: Junk Piling Around Your House

That’s Creeping, Piling and Lying Through Your Home

  • A – Apron, Air Conditioner
  • B – Broken pen, Books, Blender
  • C – CD Player, Computer Monitor, Costume
  • D – Dresser
  • E – Expired Medicines, Empty Boxes
  • F – Furniture
  • G – Glass, Grill
  • H – Hat, Hair dryer, Hair Brush
  • I –  Ink cartridges, iron, Instrument ( Unused or Broken)
  • J – Jacket, Jeans
  • K – Keys
  • L – Lamps
  • M – Makeup, Mattress
  • N – Newspapers
  • O – Old magazines
  • P – Paint Cans
  • R – Receipts
  • S – Stuffed animals, Shopping bags
  • T – TV, Treadmill (Older Model, or Broken)
  • U – Used batteries, Ugly gifts
  • V – Vase
  • W – Wood planks
  • Y – Yucky stuff 

Maybe you’ve got a few boxes lying around, or maybe the camera crew from Hoarders is knocking at your door as you read this. Either way, clutter is bad for the mind and bad for your wallet. Use this list to help to tackle the clutter in a daily basis.

Do you have a hard time getting rid of stuff?  Let us know in the comments below!

(Will you help us? We’re trying to find at least one thing (junk) that’s in your home for every letter of the alphabet. So far, we don’t have anything for Q, X,or Z. If you can think of something that could be in your home that begins with these letters – or any other letters – please call, 973-336-8083 write, or e-mail us and we’ll consider including them in our next- consumer’s guide blog.)

 

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5 Levels of Hoarding Scale

Hoarding Scale – The 5 Levels of Hoarding

Hoarding disorder is psychological disorder characterized by a persistent difficulty with getting rid of possessions, no matter their actual value. The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization has established five levels to indicate the degree of household clutter and/or hoarding.

5 Levels of Hoarding: The Clutter Hoarding Scale

Level One of Hoarding

Level one (I) on the Hoarding Scale represents a household that is clean and livable with some clutter, and perhaps occasional pet odors. Clutter is not excessive. Home exhibits good housekeeping, safe and healthy sanitation. However there is pest evidence — a few mouse droppings  — might be found. All doors and stairways are accessible.

Level Two of Hoarding 

In a level 2 house, clutter inhabits two or more rooms. One major appliance, hasn’t worked for at least six months. Limited evidence of housekeeping, overflowing garbage cans, light to medium mildew in kitchens & bathrooms, and soiled food preparation surfaces. Additionally there is pet odor, pet waste puddles, light pet dander.

Level II Hoarding Scale represents a home with at least one exit blocked.

  • One major appliance is not working.
  • Limited care of pets with pet waste and pet odor in the home.
  • The home demonstrate a moderate evidence of insects or rodents.
  • At least two rooms are unusable because of the clutter.
  • No evidence of basic tasks like sweeping or vacuuming.
  • Food prep surfaces are soiled and unhealthy. Garbage cans are overflowing.
  • Noticeable odors throughout the home.

Professional assistance is needed to address clutter, organization and hoarding issues.

Level Three of Hoarding

Levels 3 continues in this mode but with floor to ceiling clutter, with visible clutter outdoors. Two or more appliances are broken. Audible rodent evidence, light flea infestation and some spider webs. Indoor clutter leads to narrow hall and stair pathways, one bedroom or bathroom isn’t fully usable. Excessive dust, dirty bed linens and no recent vacuuming or sweeping. Heavily soiled food preparation areas and full, odorous garbage cans. Unpleasant odors throughout the house.

A Level three (III) hoarder has clutter that is visible from the outside of a house.

  • A minimum of two non-functioning appliances in the house as a result the hoarder is using extension cords in an unsafe manner.
  • Physical evidence of rodents in the form of droppings. 
  • One bedroom or bathroom is unusable and unsafe. Due to the amount of clutter hallways and stairways are constricted.
  • By the time the hoard reaches Level III, in the Clutter Hoarding Scale hazardous materials will be present at the home.
  • Accumulated dust, excessively soiled floors, dirty laundry and garbage strewn throughout the house.

In order to effectively remediate a Level III hoard, a network of professionals is needed to undertake this cleanup process. 

Level Four of Hoarding

Structural damage such as leaks, broken windows, unusable bathrooms, rotting food and significant pest infestations. Mold and mildew. Bedroom is unusable, hazardous materials are stored in the home, and flammable, packed materials are in the home. Rotting food on counters, no clean dishes or utensils in kitchen.

By the time a hoarder reaches Level Four (IV), the house itself has structural damage.

  • Electrical hazards & sewer system is likely backed up.
  • Mold and mildew are evident throughout the house.
  • Pet dander, animal urine and feces can be found throughout the residence.
  • Evidence of wild animals, including squirrels and bats, inside the residence.
  • Infestation of fleas and lice.
  • Bedroom and bathrooms are unusable.
  • Rotting food in the kitchen and throughout the house. 

in this case a team of professionals and most importantly the involvement of a hoarder’s family will be needed 

Level Five of Hoarding

Obvious structural damage, broken walls, disconnected electrical service, no water service, no working sewer or septic system. Standing water indoors, fire hazards and hazardous materials exceed local ordinances. Rodents in sight, regional critters, such as squirrels, inside the home. Bedroom, kitchen and bathroom unusable due to clutter. Therefore occupant is living or sleeping outside the home. Human feces, rotting food inside the home.

By the time hoarding reaches Level Five (V), a house is virtually unlivable.

  • There is structural damage and typically no power, water, or sewer service.
  • Excessive hazardous materials are present at the premises.
  • Insect and rodents roam in the property.
  • The kitchen and bathroom are unusable.
  • The occupant does not have sleeping space in the residence. 
  • Human and animal waste throughout the premises.

At Level V, assistance is needed from multiple professionals. Professional hoarder property cleanup service, family members, psychological, medical, and financial professional.

According to Behavioral Health Central, more than 3 million Americans suffer from hoarding disorder. If you or family member is suffering from hoarding call JunkDoctorsNJ Today 973-366-8083.

 

Hoarding Scale Pictures & Hoarding Scale Image
Hoarding Scale Pictures & Hoarding Scale Image