15 Steps to a Fresh Start: The Complete Guide to Hoarder Cleanout and Cleanup

A Guide to The Hording Cleanout: How to Handle It 15 Steps. Everything You Need To Know.

STEP 2. Assess the Situation

The first step in any cleanout is an initial assessment:

• Walk through the property: Carefully assess the level of clutter in each room, identifying the most critical or hazardous areas (blocked exits, fire risks, etc.).
• Create a priority list: Break the home down into manageable zones. Focus on safety risks first (e.g., blocked doors and exits) before tackling emotional items like keepsakes.
• Take pictures: Document the current state of the home so you can track progress and keep the end goal in sight.

Professional Tip: A professional team can provide you with a comprehensive action plan and help you prioritize based on safety and logistics.

STEP 3. Assemble a Support Team

Tackling a hoarder cleanout is not a solo mission:

• Involve close friends or family: Having emotional and physical support can make a huge difference. Those who are emotionally invested can offer comfort while neutral parties can help you stay objective.
• Set clear roles: Assign different tasks to team members—one person can sort, while others help pack or dispose of items.
• Consider professional help: If the cleanout feels overwhelming or beyond what your team can manage, consider hiring a professional hoarder cleanout service to assist with the heavier lifting, organizing, and disposal.

Professional Tip: Hoarder cleanout professionals can also bring emotional detachment and efficiency to the process, especially when dealing with difficult items.

STEP 4. Gather Supplies

You’ll need the right tools to get the job done efficiently:

• Basic supplies: Have trash bags, sturdy boxes, packing tape, gloves, masks, and cleaning products ready to go.
• Sorting tools: Label boxes or bins for sorting into three categories: Keep, Donate, Sell, Decide Later, and Trash. Tip: most trash can be bagged, bags are cheaper than boxes. Unless you have access to free boxes you want to use bags when possible. 
• Safety gear: Depending on the condition of the home, consider protective masks (for dust, mold, or hazardous materials), gloves, and even protective suits. If your situation has pests (ticks, roaches, fleas, spiders, etc) do your team a favor and bomb before you start. It is very uncomfortable to do this type of work with pests attacking you.

Cleaning Supplies Checklist: 

Professional Tip: Hoarder cleanout services typically arrive with all necessary supplies, from heavy-duty bags to trucks for disposal, eliminating the need to source materials yourself. Note: If animal waste is a part of the cleanup job, you will also need an enzyme cleaner to neutralize the odor.

STEP 5. Room-by-Room Strategy

Attempting to clean an entire house in one go is overwhelming. A room-by-room approach helps break the process into smaller, more manageable tasks:

• Start with smaller, easier spaces: Tackle rooms with less emotional attachment first (like bathrooms, hallways, or storage closets) to build momentum.
• Work in sections: Even within a room, start with one area—a corner, a closet, or a section of the floor. This allows you to see progress, which can motivate further action.
• Create quick wins: Focus on removing obvious trash or broken items first to make a noticeable difference early on.

Professional Tip: Hoarder cleanout experts often break rooms down into sections and work methodically to avoid overwhelm and burnout.

STEP 6. Prioritize Safety

Safety should be your top priority throughout the process:

• Remove immediate hazards: Start by clearing pathways to exits, unblocking doors, and removing items that pose a fire risk.
• Check for structural damage: Look for signs of water damage, mold, or instability. Large piles of clutter can sometimes damage floors or walls.
• Wear proper safety gear: Gloves, masks, and goggles are crucial when dealing with potentially hazardous materials like mold, chemicals, or biohazards.

Professional Tip: Professionals are trained to handle hazardous situations and have the right equipment for extreme cases like mold, asbestos, or pest infestations.

STEP 7. Sort and Categorize

Sorting is one of the most crucial parts of a hoarder cleanout:

• Use the “Four Pile” method: Every item should be sorted into one of three categories—Keep, Donate, Sell, or Discard. Try not to overthink each decision; go with your first instinct.
• Set Boundaries for Sentimental Items: Establish clear limits for sentimental belongings to help the person who hoards make choices without feeling overwhelmed. Consider giving them a designated space, like a small box or a specific number of containers (e.g., a shed, 20 boxes, or 10 bags, 8 bins). Once those are filled, that's the limit—no room for more. This approach encourages prioritization and helps prevent keeping everything, while still allowing for cherished keepsakes.
• Enlist help: If the person hoarding has trouble parting with items, bring in someone to help keep the process moving. Be compassionate, but firm.

Professional Tip: Professional organizers or cleanout teams can help speed up the sorting process, offering a neutral perspective when sentimental attachment stalls progress.

STEP 8. Handling Sensitive Items

Sorting through personal items like photos, documents, and keepsakes can be overwhelming:

• Document storage: Set aside a space for important documents (legal papers, medical records, etc.) and consider scanning these to create digital backups.
• Photograph keepsakes: For those who struggle to let go of sentimental items, suggest photographing or digitizing them to preserve the memory without keeping the physical object.
• Handle collections carefully: Whether it’s coins, books, or artwork, collections can have emotional and monetary value. Decide whether to sell, donate, or keep items from collections.

Professional Tip: Professionals can often assist in appraising collections or organizing paperwork to ensure valuable or important items aren’t lost in the cleanout.

STEP 9. Dispose of Junk Responsibly

Disposing of large volumes of clutter requires planning:

• Regular trash vs. recycling: Separate out recyclables like cardboard, glass, and electronics from regular waste.
• Hazardous materials: Items like paint, chemicals, and old appliances need to be disposed of according to local regulations. This can be tricky, so be sure to research or ask for professional help.
• Consider junk removal services: When faced with large amounts of trash, professional junk removal services can haul away items quickly and efficiently.

Professional Tip: Professional hoarder cleanout teams often have relationships with local disposal services and can arrange for the proper disposal of hazardous materials.

STEP 10. Donate or Sell Usable Items

Many items in a hoarder’s home may still be useful or valuable:

• Donation: Charitable organizations are often happy to take items like clothing, furniture, and household goods. Call ahead to check what they accept.
• Sell: If there are high-value items like antiques or electronics, consider selling them online or at a consignment store. This process can take time, so decide if it’s worth the effort. You can also get in touch with your local auctioneer. An auctioneer can sell on online platforms that require a license and will prep and list your items for a percentage with no out-of-pocket money from you. They will also let you know the value, and if it worth listing online and selling.
• Coordinate pick-ups: Many charities offer free pick-up services for larger items, which can save you time and hassle.

Professional Tip: A professional team can help sort items for donation and often handles transportation to donation centers or consignment shops.

STEP 11. Deep Cleaning the Space

Once the clutter is cleared, the home will likely need a deep cleaning:

• Sanitize all surfaces: Use disinfectants to clean floors, walls, counters, and furniture.
• Handle odors: Years of hoarding can leave behind unpleasant smells. Use specialized cleaners or deodorizing products to eliminate odors from carpets and fabrics.
• Consider professional cleaners: If the home is in particularly bad shape, hiring a professional cleaning service may be the best option.

Professional Tip: Professional teams often can add deep cleaning services as part of the cleanout process, ensuring the space is not only clutter-free but also sanitary. 

STEP 12. Hire Specialized Services (If Needed)

Hoarded homes may require more than just cleaning:

• Pest control: If you encounter infestations (e.g., rodents, animals, insects and bees), contact a pest control service to properly deal with the problem.
• Repairs: Long-term hoarding can lead to structural damage, leaks, or mold. Hiring a contractor to assess and fix these issues is crucial.
• Therapy and counseling: For those dealing with hoarding disorder, ongoing therapy may be necessary to address the root causes and prevent relapse.

Professional Tip: Some hoarder cleanout services partner with pest control, contractors, or counselors to provide a full-service solution.

STEP 13: Post-Cleanout Inspections

Once the cleanout is complete, a thorough inspection of the home is recommended:

• Structural inspection: Have a professional check for any long-term damage caused by excessive clutter, such as water damage or weakened floors.
• Plumbing and electrical: Hoarded homes may have neglected plumbing or wiring issues that need to be addressed before the home is safe to live in.

Professional Tip: Many cleanout services work with inspectors to ensure the home is not only clean but also safe to inhabit after the cleanout.

STEP 14: Implement Organizational Solutions

Preventing future hoarding is just as important as the cleanout itself:

• Set up storage solutions: Use shelves, bins, and closets to create organized spaces that encourage tidiness. Label everything for easy identification.
• Create a cleaning routine: Establish regular cleaning habits to prevent clutter from re-accumulating.
• Seek professional organization help: Hiring a professional organizer can help maintain the clutter-free environment long-term.

Professional Tip: Many cleanout teams provide organizational services, helping to set up effective systems to prevent future clutter build-up.

STEP 15: Emotional Support and Follow-up

The emotional aftermath of a hoarder cleanout can be intense:

• Provide ongoing support: Stay in touch with the person who hoards, and offer emotional support as they adjust to the decluttered space.
• Consider therapy: Therapy, particularly for hoarding disorder, can help prevent a relapse and address the emotional triggers that led to hoarding.
• Schedule regular check-ins: Whether through family, friends, or a professional organizer, regular visits can help keep the space clutter-free.

Professional Tip: Professional cleanout services often offer follow-up support, helping to maintain a clean and safe living environment long after the initial cleanout is complete.