Hoarding disorder surpasses simple clutter; the disease poses serious health and safety risks for a resident. If a loved one with the disorder decides to get help and asks you to help clean out their property, the task might seem overwhelming. Here are a few tips to make the decluttering and trash removal process less challenging. 

5 Cleaning & Decluttering Tips for a Hoarder's House

1. Tackle One Room at a Time

The hardest aspect of tackling a hoarding situation is knowing where to start, considering the sheer amount of belongings. To make it more digestible, begin with the smallest room. Then move room by room, and only focus on one area at a time until it's complete. 

2. Move Everything Out

Trying to declutter a space packed full of items is an uphill battle. It's much easier to decide what stays and goes by taking everything out. You need the room completely cleared to thoroughly clean it anyway, so move all non-trash items to a separate area, like a garage or yard. Bag up trash as you go and take it directly to the dumpster when finished. 

3. Separate Items By Category

Belongings that aren't being thrown away fall into two categories: keep and donate. To help keep track of their destination, separate items into two piles as they're removed from the rooms. 

It's natural for your loved one to want to keep sentimental belongings, but you don't want to risk allowing them to pile up once again. Rent an off-site storage unit for items they refuse to part with but don't need within reach. 

4. Place a Roll-Off Dumpster On-Site

Typically, the bulk of cleanup is trash. However, the amount is likely to be larger than what is allowed by standard weekly trash removal companies. That’s why it's recommended to use a large roll-off dumpster.

Professional disposal services offer different-sized bins to accommodate various needs, plus they bring the unit to you and pick it up when you're finished, making the process hassle-free. 

5. Make Repairs Before Deep Cleaning

Hoarding clutter usually builds up over years, making regular cleaning and maintenance impossible. As a result, you can expect to come across cosmetic damage to walls and flooring. Repairing these issues will result in dust and debris, so save the whole-house disinfecting and deep clean until after the damage is fixed. 

Tackling a property cleanout? Make the trash removal process simple with the help of Ritas Equipment Rental & Trash Disposal in Lawai, HI. The local hauling company provides convenient on-site commercial dumpster rentals at affordable rates across Kauai. Review their equipment options online, or request a free estimate today at (808) 332-8339.