How To Clean A Hoarder's House Fast

Since it is a very time-intensive undertaking, HRS Restoration Services follows a process for cleaning a hoarder’s house. This includes assessing the situation, devising a cleaning strategy, sorting all items and debris, removing large piles of garbage, deep cleaning, and repairing property damage. 

While it is possible to clean a hoarder’s house by yourself, you may want to hire a professional to deal with the emotional state of the hoarder, if they are still present, as well as mold exposure, animal and food waste, and odor removal. 

You may also encounter live animals and insects and you’ll need to be prepared with the right safety equipment and animal and insect repellant. 

Structural damage may also accompany hoarding situations so there may also be the threat of ceilings and floors collapsing. 

HRS Restoration Services has nearly two decades of experience and understands how to clean up a hoarding situation and repair the structure. We know how to address the emotional aspects of hoarding and undertake the process in a respectful but efficient way. 

Our customers appreciate our attention to detail and our 24/7 responsiveness. We know how to clean a hoarder’s house fast!

Call HRS Restoration Services for more information or to schedule an appointment. 

 

Dangers Of Cleaning A Hoarder’s House 

There are many potential dangers of cleaning a hoarder’s home. You may experience mold exposure symptoms and associated health risks, human and animal waste, live animals and insects, rotting food, and stress-related to dealing with such an overwhelming task. 

Below we cover each hazard that you may encounter in more detail. 

 

Mold

Mold spores grow quickly and can result in allergic reactions such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, watery eyes, and skin rashes. If you or someone else has a pre-existing respiratory illness, mold can be especially dangerous. Mold can lurk underneath flooring and behind walls that are inaccessible without undertaking intensive repairs.

Human & Animal Waste

Animal waste can transmit E. coli infection, parasitic illnesses, and hookworm infection. The smell of human and animal waste can make you feel sick since both are biohazards. Human waste can spread diseases like hepatitis A, C. diff, E. coli, rotavirus, and norovirus. 

There are specific guidelines and equipment necessary to handle animal and human waste to lessen the chances of infection or spreading disease. 

 

Live Animals

If there are live animals in the home, there are risks even if the animals are domesticated. If their waste and urine is not properly cleaned up, you may be exposed to risky amounts of ammonia. The presence of urine, water bowls, and pet waste can also lead to mold growth. If the animals are wild, like raccoons, you risk being bitten and potentially infected with rabies. 

 

Rotting Food

The fungal spores in rotting food can lead to breathing problems. Rotting food can also lead to mold spores and the associated respiratory symptoms like wheezing, sneezing, coughing, and skin rashes. 

 

Stress Property

When the interior of a home has been neglected, there are usually structural repairs that need to be done. Sagging floors and ceilings are common in hoarding homes and there is a chance of injury if either fails. 

 

Safety Gear

There are many noxious smells and risks when cleaning a hoarder’s home. As such, it is essential to have the proper safety gear and personal protective equipment. 

Having the right safety equipment will limit your exposure to airborne pathogens, mold, cuts, and from transferring harmful substances outside of the area. 

A hoarder cleaning checklist includes the following gear: 

• Disposable masks
• Purifying full-face respirators
• Heavy exposure gloves
• Puncture resistant gloves
• Biohazard suits

Cleaning & Storage Supplies

Before you are able to clean a hoarder’s home, you will need the proper storage supplies and a method for knowing what to keep, recycle, and trash. 

You will need receptacles to dispose of waste, bags to store biohazards, and storage containers to keep salvageable items.  

The following items will assist you in cleaning and item removal and disposal. 

• Boxes
• Large trash bags
• Cleaning gloves
• Cleaning mask
• Duster
• Towels
• Surface cleaner
• Broom
• Mop
• Buckets
• Step ladder
• Vacuum cleaner
• Shop vac
• Dumpster

Cleaning A Hoarder’s House Step-By-Step

When you need help cleaning a hoarder’s house, you need a step-by-step process to complete the task in the least risky and most efficient way. Below we outline the main steps you should follow when cleaning a hoarder’s house.

 

Pick A Room

Rather than trying to work on all rooms at once and risk cross-contamination and being overwhelmed, start with one room and only proceed to the second room once the first room is completely finished.

Clear Out The Trash

To be able to clean the walls and floors, you will need to remove all trash from the room. At this point, you can divide the contents of the room into keep, trash, and recycle piles. 

Remove the trash from the room and place it in proper trash receptacles, such as a dumpster.

 

Clean The Floors & Walls 

You will need a cleaning solution to properly clean and sanitize the walls and floors. This will remove noxious odors and mold spores. Before you can clean the items in the room, you must begin with clean walls and floors.

 

Disinfect All Surfaces

Use EPA and OSHA guidelines when selecting disinfectants. Disinfectants kill odor and disease-causing bacteria and are an essential step after you first use cleaning agents.

 

Deodorize

There are many DIY methods to deodorize a hoarder’s home. However, while baking soda and vinegar may work well in limited instances, they are usually not strong enough to neutralize the odor in a hoarder’s home. HRS professionals use IICRC standards for deodorizing and neutralizing odor.

 

When To Hire A Professional Cleaning Service

The stress, time, and effort of cleaning a hoarder’s home is overwhelming. Even if you have the time, strength, and the hoarder is no longer in the home, you may not have the proper supplies and protective equipment to ensure the hoarding situation is dealt with in a safe manner. 

The risk of mold exposure and disease spread by dead or live animals is a danger to take seriously and you may want to call in a professional to make sure the job is done with every consideration in mind. 

In addition to the visible risks, there is also the risk of structural failure. HRS Restoration Services is a full-service company that can perform structural repairs if needed. 

HRS professionals provide hoarding cleaning services in Denver.

 

Why Choose HRS Restoration Services?

HRS Restoration Services is your go-to for cleaning hoarder homes. Backed by customer reviews, IICRC standards, and training, we take on the risk and danger of dealing with a hoarding situation. We’re A+ rated by the BBB and take pride in our work and service to our customers.

 

Contact HRS Restoration Services Today!

Our HRS team knows how to clean a hoarder’s home fast. Hoarding situations may also include water damage. Thankfully, we’re also water damage and mold remediation specialists. 

Call HRS Restoration Services when you have a hoarding situation. We are ready to respond 24/7 so schedule an appointment today!