Best Hoarding Clean-up Tip for Extremely Cluttered Homes

Would you like to know how the pros clear out extremely cluttered, even hoarded homes fast and efficiently without getting overwhelmed?

[edennis]

The only way that I can get over feeling overwhelmed is to think of my house as somebody else's house. When I think of it as my stuff, I'm totally paralyzed. Honestly, I can't trust anybody else to notice that there's an important tax document in the pile, or a solid gold necklace is at the bottom of the pile on my chest of drawers. What I really need is somebody to move heavy stuff for me. I'm elderly and have chronic fatigue syndrome and bad jounts.

[lucyscott]

I’ve become a hoarder after my husband passed. Wow, I typed it and made myself read it out loud. I don’t let family or friends over anymore I’m embarrassed, I blame it on my dog. I try and tackle stuff then get overwhelmed. Not sure where to start.

[tammyjohnston]

I am currently facing this very thing. The manager of my apartment building is going to evict me today I am sure, due to my house being cluttered up. I am over sixty, with PTSD and major depression that has caused me to not be able to function much. I have always maintained a clean home until now, and I am overwhelmed, mortified, disgusted and angry. I can’t even force myself into cleaning. My therapist says I am a perfectionist and I have it in my mind that it is either perfect or forget it, so I am blocking it. I just know that it needs a major overhaul. Six hundred square feet can hold lots of things I found out. I am going to try your method in the remaining seven hours until my inspection. Hopefully I can make headway!!!! Prayers please.

[Ravenshelter]

Thank you so much for this! I am a hoarder. It's hard to admit, but it's true.
It's not as bad as the extreme cases you see on TV, but yea I have piles upon piles of stuff. I honestly don't like living like this, but it makes me feel safe. It's a long story why, but I honestly want to live a clutter-free life..

I am starting therapy this month, and hopefully it will help.
Thank you for not shaming on the people that live like this ❤️

[frankrinchiuso]

I actually thought about your lesson clearing up the yard today!!! I was saying to myself today, "Big to small, big to small, big to small, jump in the car and drive away and change my identity, no, no. Big to small, big " I'm working on it!"🤷‍♂️

[ChrisSharpe-kdbj]

My sons home is so awful. He admits it but he finds himself paralyzed to do anything about it. He's 40 years old and is single. He had a maintenance man doing a task outside his home and this man needed to use the bathroom. My son lied and told him his girlfriend was bathing the kids so the bathroom was unavailable. He couldn't let the man see the inside of his house. My son felt awful but he still can't get his house cleaned up. He has mentioned to me countless times that he needs my help and I'm more than willing to help. I've helped him in a previous residence and he's always so grateful and feels so liberated when all is clean. But he admits his life is a circle. I just ache for him. And it's weird because he's an executive and his work ethic is stellar. How can I convince him to let me help him clean up once again.

[nicolashipard]

I’ve been struggling with hoarding all my life, I’m 26 and decided to move home to make a change. I new my family home was bad but I realise I don’t know how to clean. I feel like tackling this is a way to clean my subconscious and soothe my inner child.

[pepperann]

You deserve 1 million subscribers. You gave the two best pieces of advice on declutterring I ever heard. I listened to dozens of coaches but I could not even access three quarters of my bedroom to implement what they said. It is only thanks to YOU that I will do the most difficult part: starting. And to do that, move the big stuff away first. Be blessed, Lady Katherine 💙🙏🏽

[FLEABONE]

My husband died at the start of the pandemic and I was sharing a house with my adult sons and the girlfriend of my eldest. They gf and my son decided to get their own place and it left me unable to afford a home in our overpriced market here in Boise, Idaho. We are in an affordable housing crisis. I am disabled and currently living in my parent's dining room. My area is a nightmare boxes, bins, bags, piled up. I am overwhelmed, sad and tired. I cook amd clean for my parents all day. 3 meals a day and appointments, yard work. I hurt so much at the end of the day I literally lay down amd fall asleep in my clothes. I am spiraling down into depression. I don't k now how to climb out. Today I don't feel well bit nobody cares. I can't lay in bed to rest like my body is begging me to do. The minute I do someone comes looking for me to do something. I am so lost without my husband and feel powerless to create boundaries.

[Kewljean]

T hank you so very much. I'm trying to declutter an extremely overpacked home. I've been a shopaholic for about 8 years and my online shopping increased dramatically during covid (with things never worn and boxes never opened). I never fail to be amazed at how much can build up so quickly. I appreciate you!

[lindaroberts]

Such simple but overlooked technique! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[sherrykeeney]

My house is cluttered EVERYWHERE- I think that's a GREAT WAY to initiate the huge task (your right!!) There's a couple gatherings of some BIG furniture that are really blocking the band wagon from getting started & would clear up floor space AND provide new storage places IF...just put somewhere more helpful than where they are now

[SorVanna]

Thank you so much for this video, so glad I found you. I've been pursuing a minimalist lifestyle for some years, but during the lockdown I had to move in with my hoarder grandma. My reason for minimalism is mainly mental health, staying away from clinical depression. Long story short, my grandma had a stroke recently and now is with my parents, I took over the lease, but took her clutter along with me (including her animals, against my will, she also hoards them), while my few belongings are in storage. It's driving me insane, and I don't know where to begin since I've become paralized with anxiety, swimming in clutter and cat feces 😭. Thank you for the tips and motivation 🙏

[rachelrose]

I love this lovely lady’s videos. Supportive and positive, Katherine is wonderful. Love from England x

[bethannthimum]

It's me I'm the problem it's me. I'm trying to clean my own house because it's so overwhelming. I'm a hoarder but I have no problem throwing out when I'm in that zone. I came for techniques. Starting with the big stuff makes sense. I'll be back 😁

[rosemariebredahl]

Not all mountains of "crap" = hoarding. That having been said, these are my comments:
Digital photos help me clear space without getting rid of memories
(for example: The fronts &/or binder strips of your book covers could be digitally collage & printed for many reasons later, such as onto fabric for a throw pillow or afghan or Tshirt or Tote bag, or to print onto wrapping paper or gift cards or bookmarks, or to use as "wallpaper" on phone or green screen or Facebook or created YouTube video, as part if a "slide show" functional decoration ... great for sentimental chochkies, pics of kids' favorite books can be saved until they're grown and then turned into personalized items for them, Etc.).
I also find that putting valued possessions up for "adoption" to a "good home" also helps me part with them, whether that is someone I know personally &/or someone who will appreciate them as much as I do (or close to it).
Because I have ADD though, which through exaggerating many "not helpful" behaviors, I would appreciate a video re ways to panic-clear & panic-clean massive clutter from visible areas (minimum = entryway, living rm, & bathroom) when someone judgy has to be let in with almost zero notice yet while minimizing how much more work disorganized stashing (throwing things in boxes to unpack later ... esp if not labelled +/- dated)! In my case, being a disabled almost 62 y.o. cancer survivor, who over the past 8 yrs years involving divorce & kids flying the nest, and moves that cut my square footage in half 4 times while downsizing ... not enough yet to fit in my current 650 sq feet, am talking about 4 ft of boxes & sorting piles on nearly every horizontal surface that isn't an essential path! I have room in a back room to stack boxes, but get too overwhelmed & distracted to be even marginally presentable within an hour (esp when many surfaces haven't been dusted, &/or swept, &/or wiped down for ... a while). Can you offer at least a 1hr process (& then maybe progressively better approaches by increments of available time for the same (reproduced/staged) starting situation (for comparison)?
annnnd, re weighing the cost of replacing items (like fabric, wrapping paper, crafts supplies, hardware, Etc.), choices need to factor in what the cost of the real estate to store it will be (esp if downsizing).
Thank you!
Rosemarie Bredahl, D.O. (ret)
P.S.: The "If you haven't used it in a year" isn't an option, because my family archives, medical records, and tax documents are scattered amongst boxes I haven't used for a year
P.P.S.: For me, collaborating with a helper requires that they ask about my approach before replacing it. If I've already tried something that didn't work, not wanting to repeat that can mimic unreasonable resistance vs if the helper can i.d. WHY their suggestion failed during my prior trial, we two can brainstorm a new solution option while keeping the problem "over there" and keeping we two on "team us".

[aprylvaughn]

Thank you so much. I used to be a maid and a housekeeper and now i live with a hoarder that has 3 of everything and etc. I have been so overwhelmed because when i try to start to clean up after hours. Of hard work it looks as tho i havent. Done much .he says all i do is move stuff around. So im going to try your technique and i will let you know how it goes. Thank you so very much. Bless you

[andrewbrendan]

Very interesting comments! i've heard the saying, "Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves". I would have started with the little things in a major de-cluttering but I see how the exact opposite can be the best method.

[Dreadtheday]

I am a hoarder and I know it. I feel it in my heart and I know I need help. Extreme depression and health issues are hindering my progress. I hope I can find help...

[karlashmeedavlasta]

Should be cleaning up right now...who else?