HOW TO SOLVE HOARDING TENDENCIES
Overflowing boxes, random piles of objects and no floor space — sound like your place? Sorry to break it to you, but you may just be a hoarder or have one in the family!
When it comes to hoarding, there is nothing to be ashamed of. Being attached to sentimental items is something many people experience.
However, it is healthy to jump on the hoarding tendencies and stop it before it takes over your property.
Whether you need more space or simply need a clean, we can help you get on top of your hoarding issues with these few easy steps.
CONFRONT THE HOARDER
First thing’s first, speak to the hoarder. They might not even know what they are doing. But regardless, it is their possessions, so you need to go straight to the source.
Speak to them and let them know that there is an issue with their hoarding, but you are going to help them overcome it. You can even outline the dangers of hoarding and why they must get on top of it.
A good point to include is that this habit is a fire hazard and piles of objects can be a magnet for unwanted pests, diseases and fungi such as mould.
To do this, we suggest you sit them down or take them to a room where it is at its worst. This way, you can let them identify the issue but also not seem like you are coming from an attacking point.
It is essential you listen to them and show support as hoarding can stem from a mental mindset. Throwing out such a large mass of their possessions can be a mentally challenging and anxious time.
Note that it is essential you bring it up with them before you deal with the mess. They need to wrap their mind around the idea of going through the endless sea of objects. It is generally not a quick and easy task, so you don’t want to overwhelm them.
SET RULES AND BOUNDARIES
Before you can chuck out everything into a rubbish skip, you need to set some boundaries and rules for them to follow when it comes to throwing out their items.
There genuinely might be some items that are important to keep so you don’t want to get rid of everything. By doing this, you will also gain some of their trust by letting them know that not everything will be gone.
Some boundaries that could be good includes keeping stuff that has only been used in the last 12 months.
Get rid of half-broken or ripped items and have a limit on how many things they can keep. This also goes for the exceptional item they haven’t used for an extended period of time. Looking at expiry dates and whether something is still valid is also worthwhile as some things may no longer be of use.
In some circumstances, it might be valuable to limit them to space. For example, let them keep whatever they want in a specific cupboard as long as they don’t have any items that go past the boundaries.
Even creating a better organisation system can help make the clutter seem much more manageable, such as the use of filing cabinets or storage containers for their items.
Most of all, we recommend setting out a system for when it is time to tackle the mess. Start by designating an area where all the ‘to be thrown away’ objects go and a place where the ‘keep’ items are to be stored. A donation pile is also encouraged if possible.
As a rule, you can also give them a time limit for when it must be done. Make it realistic and obtainable. This way, they know the deadline. To show support, make it a mutual time where both of you will be present.
THROW OUT ITEMS AND HIRE A SKIP
Now here is the best part — throwing away the junk! Once you have tackled the issue and they’ve come to terms with decluttering, you can go ahead and throw out the items.
The best way to efficiently get rid of all the items is by hiring a skip bin.
At Binanza Bin Hire, we offer a variety of skip bin sizes, making tasks like this easier to manage. From one-room projects to a whole property clean-out, you’ll find the right size bin (or even bins) with us.
When throwing out, make sure the hoarder is involved. Although you want to be encouraging and possibly even forceful with some possessions, it is best that the person who these items belong to feel like they have some sort of control. This will ensure a smoother process for all involved.
Make sure to be disciplined and stick to the rules. While you shouldn’t do all of the cleaning, it is a good idea to help so you can show your support and reinforce the objective of the mission when needed.
Remember, only keep what is necessary. And soon, you’ll be able to take back some of that room you thought you had lost years ago!
FOLLOW UP
As a follow-up, once you have cleaned out offending areas, make sure everything is satisfactory. This includes ensuring no rules have been broken. And the pre-approved amount of possessions has been kept and followed.
It is also essential that you reinstate that this is the guideline as to what is expected in the future. This way, you can try and highlight that the previous state is no longer acceptable.
A good rule to observe following this milestone is that any new items hoarded will result in more being thrown out. This should be looked at as a trade. One thing in, another one out. This way you can police and keep clutter to a minimum.
