Stop Hoarding
Hoarding is a compulsive disorder in which a person collects mass amounts of objects, creating large and potentially dangerous mountains of stuff in their home. Often, the hoarder will not be aware of how out of control their addiction is, but will continue to purchase more. It's time to stop this harmful addiction and clean up!
Contents
Steps
- One of the easiest tasks to begin with is to take out the trash. Empty all of the trash bins in your home and replace the bags. This way, you can throw away more trash as you find it. The next steps explain how to tackle certain rooms in your home, and can be done in any order most comfortable to you.
Kitchen
- Start by throwing away any and all trash that you can find. If it is filthy, it could pose a potential health problem. If there are feces, dispose of them.
- Next, tackle your kitchen sink. How long have the dishes been dirty? Dishes that have been sitting for a long period of time have a chance to collect and grow germs. Almost always, a hoarder needs to throw away most of their kitchen to remove the harmful bacteria and viruses that have lived for so long in their home.
- Clean your cupboards of dust and bacteria. If someone has ever smoked in the home, it will seep through the walls and cupboards, with which a hot soapy towel is needed. If this is the case, all walls will need to be cleaned.
- Organize your clean dishes in your clean cupboards, and be proud of what you have done so far.
- Next, clear out the fridge. Throw out all expired food, and be aware of when the remaining food will expire. It is important that you remain aware of expiration dates, and may have to remind yourself often to check. If you aren't going to eat it, throw it out. If you have really expired food, then it most likely contaminated the rest of the food.
- Clean the inside of your fridge, your sink, your dining table, your stove and counters, and sweep and mop your floor (all surfaces). Once you have done all of this, you won't be able to recognize your kitchen.
Bedroom
- Start with the laundry. Wash and fold all of the laundry you have. After each load comes out of the dryer, look at each article of clothing. Does it fit you? Is it flattering to wear? How often do you actually wear it? Is it for a special event?
- Clean all of your sheets and make the bed.
- Get your clothes down to what you really want and will wear. Fold and put them in your drawers or closet.
- Donate the clothes you don't use. Imagine the clothes going to someone who doesn't have much money, and think about how happy they'll be to find the perfect shirt/pants/dress.
- Throw away any trash, and donate items you don't use. Go through your stuff and think to yourself "If I get rid of this, will I actually miss it in the long run?"
- If an object is tied to a memory, remember that getting rid of the object won't make you forget the memory. Try starting a memory notebook, perhaps including photos of the old objects. Photos take up less space than the physical thing!
- Organize your closet, keeping only the things that you would actually miss. Try sorting your clothes and items. Consider using hooks, drawers, or shelves to help keep things looking neat.
Bathroom
- Throw out any trash, beauty products you never actually use, old products, and products that are filthy or almost gone. A general rule is if you don't use it, don't keep it.
- If you don't want to keep it but don't want to throw it away, try giving the products to someone else who tends to use products. Say you were cleaning and found stuff you didn't use, and say that they can keep anything they might like and throw out the rest.
- Wipe and clean all surfaces (your counter-tops, toilet, shower and tub, floor, etc).
Living Room
- Eliminate any unnecessary items just like your did with the previous rooms. Wipe down all surfaces like before, and clean your floors.
- If your house has carpet, you will probably need a carpet cleaner.
- Organize all of your stuff. Put similar things near each other, and then put them into your rooms accordingly. This part might need a friend to help. As you put everything away, continue to search for things that are unnecessary or that someone else may be able to enjoy more than you.
Staying Clean and Safe
- Start small if you need to. Hoarding is a mental disorder, and it cannot be conquered in a day or two of cleaning. Gently push yourself and take baby steps towards a cleaner and safer home. Work on easier tasks, and build up to more difficult ones. Here are examples of progressing to throwing things out:
- Give an item to a loved one. (Have them help you choose something that they like, and ask them to keep it.) Know that it's right there at their house, safe.
- Donate a box of items. Tell yourself how much the recipients will love their new things.
- Give a box of items to a loved one, and tell them to only keep the things they want. You don't need to know where each item went.
- Take a picture of an item, then throw it out. Save the photo on your computer to look at whenever you want it.
- Throw out something small without saving anything (e.g. a twist tie).
- Throw out a larger thing.
- Ask yourself how much you need each new thing you find. Once your house is clean, you need it to stay clean. Keep challenging yourself and evaluating each item you are thinking about storing.
- Are you actually going to use this? Would it really be crucial to have around?
- Do you already have something that fulfills the same purpose?
- If you're afraid about throwing it out because you think it is useful (just not so much to you), why not donate it? Could someone else use it?
- Clean at a peaceful time. Cleaning may be a very challenging and emotional process for you. Turn on some relaxing music and choose a time of day where you aren't stressed and don't have to go anywhere anytime soon.
- Imagine the room through a friend's eyes. Would a friend be worried about you? Would they say that you really needed a certain object?
- Take care of your physical needs. Resolve to keep objects out of the way of your shower/bathtub and fridge. You deserve to eat well and stay clean.
- Find an alternative coping method for stress. Instead of buying things or hoarding, try drawing a picture, calling a friend, taking a warm bath, or doing relaxation exercises. A psychologist may be able to help you find ways to manage stress in your life.
- Reach out to others. Hoarding may cause you to feel isolated, and this is bad for your emotional health. Try going out with friends, or visiting their houses. (You don't have to invite them to yours if you don't feel ready.) You may even find that a loved one is willing to help you clean your house and help you through your struggles.
- Set up an appointment with a doctor or therapist. Hoarding can be treated through talk therapy and CBT. Antidepressants may also be useful to you. Treatment can help you recover and feel less upset about throwing things away.
- Invite people over to your house often. This will give you incentive to keep it clean, safe, and presentable. Try scheduling a visit every week (e.g. your sister comes for dinner every Saturday).
Tips
- Remember that the work will pay off, and that when you are done, you will have a clean, safe place that you can use and invite people over to.
- You are not the only one that this disorder affects. This disorder affects millions of people. You are not alone. It is best to ask for help, as this is a very difficult and stressful thing to do. It will take time, so do not give up if you can't do a lot in one day.
- If you have a gift for someone, give it to them in a timely manner.
- Don't buy stuff to make up for your feelings. The disorder never goes away, so when you make a purchase, think about it you really need it or will use it.
- Make sure you are not stressed when you tackle the clutter. Stay relaxed. Starting early in the morning is the best time to start a project like clutter control, after you wake up refreshed.
- For every new thing you buy, get rid of two old things you no longer need.
Warnings
- This is very emotional, stressful, and difficult to deal with. Challenge yourself to do more than you think you can, but do not work yourself to the point that you are unwilling to work with your disorder and other people who are trying to help you.
- Hoarding can be a serious mental health problem. Consult a medical professional if your issues are beyond that of anyone living in squalor.
Things You'll Need
- Garbage bags
- Large Dumpster
- Friends and family members
