When you’re dealing with a hoarding situation, it’s normal to feel discouraged, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained. You may not know where to start or how to convince the hoarder it’s in their best interest to clean up their home, and for most, deciding to hire a trauma cleanup company or simply tackling the demanding task themselves can be a tough decision.
You don’t have to go through the situation blind, work through things as they come, or feel the situation is impossible or nearly hopeless. We hope the tips below will help, and if you have any questions, please call us at (610) 524-8003.
Try to Sympathize and Understand the Situation
Before you do anything else, you need to have the right mindset. You can’t go into the situation angry and frustrated with the intent to throw out anything and everything without a care. This will only bring problems and trauma for both you and the hoarder. Try to think like them, and try to determine how it got to this point. Could they be hoarding due to depression, loneliness, or loss of a family member? Do they feel that throwing things away is like throwing away pieces of themselves? Once they understand you only want to help them lead a better life, this will take some of the weight off your shoulders.
Work Out a Plan
If you don’t have a plan, you will quickly lose momentum. What room has the most clutter? What area might need water damage restoration performed once you move everything out? Is trauma cleanup needed because there are bodily fluids and waste mixed in with the garbage?
Dress Protectively
Don’t start cleaning unless you’re wearing a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. Gloves are also important, along with a head covering. You need to wear something that will protect you from jagged edges or harmful substances hiding in the piles of paper, food wrappers, and other types of trash that may be present.
For hoarder cleanup conducted in a very sensitive yet thorough manner, contact ServiceMaster Professional Cleaning and Restoration of Exton, PA for professional trauma cleanup help. We can be reached online or at (610) 524-8003.