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Crisis Cleaning Advice by topic

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Animals/Insects/Rodents

Rodents, Urine: One thing you may not know is that rodents do not have bladders so they urinate everywhere they go. The first step to proper deodorization is removing the source. Another thing about rodent urine is that when it first comes out of a body, it’s on the Acid side of the pH scale; …

Bags & Containers

Bags and plastic containers “For most of the sorting, I’d suggest plastic bags in three colors: black for true garbage, blue for give-away, and clear or white for stuff you think you want to keep or sell. (Clear is good, if you can find them in large sizes; I think that if you search online …

Cleaning Coins & Currency

When you have an abundance of coins…cleaning & counting tips My dad hoarded pennies—not just wheat pennies, but all pennies. There are so many of them in the house that I can’t even approximate a count. Hundreds and hundreds of pounds of the darn things. They are mostly dirty and smelly (some dirty from rotten …

Cleaning Co.’s-Advice & On Choosing

Here are some comments from the COH Yahoo! Group and others who have written in to the COH website, about the important qualities a cleaning company should ideally have. Maybe this information will help you if you are calling around checking on companies to help you?: ”They should have a contract with a pharmaceutical reverse …

Cleaning Co.’s With Family-of-Hoarder Discounts!

Are you a professional cleaning company who gives discounts to family members of hoarders…in particular, COH who have inherited a hoarded home?? Be among the first out there (that we know of anyway), to post below about your services and discounts for family members of hoarders!

Donations-Where To

 “After my mother died, I did want to get rid of some of her things that were still in the boxes and not damaged. I knew it was of some value, but there was just so much that I didn’t have the time to deal with it. I loaded it all up in a pickup …

Dumpsters

“The dumpster company we worked with ran it like this. You order the dumpster; they drop it off for up to two weeks. You and your team (I hope) fill it up, and tape a check to it, and call the dumpster company to arrange pick up. If you need another one, you can have …

Estate Sale Companies

While we don’t endorse any particular company to assist with estate sales, several children of hoarders have found the EstateSales.org website to be a helpful resource for finding companies in the United States. Please let us know if you find other useful resources!

Fleas & Fruitflies

Fleas StopTheFleas.com Getting out of carpets: “Fleabusters is the way to go. A powder goes into the carpet and the fleas dehydrate to death. And it is safer than those sprays and foggers.” ”Get: ’Adams Home Protection Inverted Carpet Spray.’ Works good, says: ’Kills fleas and controls re-infestation for up to 210 days.’ Get at …

Floors & Carpeting

“Once you start getting down to the floor in a room, the carpet and the curtains need to come out. Everything that isn’t metal will reek, including some of the wood. If you need to buy some cheap garbage curtains while you finish the clean out, it’s better than leaving the stinky ones up. Getting …

Fun & Games While Crisis-Cleaning

Yes, that’s right-that’s what we said! Not to make light of this task lots of us have awaiting us…but, when you can’t cry anymore,,, The COH Playlist Songs to Crisis Clean-Out by, sent in by COH site visitors  ”Everything is Broken,” Bob Dylan ”United States of Whatever” (sassy & sarcastic enough for the job), Liam …

Garage/Estate Sales

Organizing A Yard Sale:  by Geralin Thomas, CD Specialist-Metropolitan Organizing Essential Tips For Organizing A Garage Sale-Article by Geralin Thomas in Cary Home & Garden Yard Sale Queen:  Everything you need to know about yardsailing A Yard Sale Checklist: Ten Tips for Garage Sale Prep Do you have a tip to share?

Haul-Away Companies

“As you look at hauling companies, especially if you’re dealing with a hoarder who will not throw things out but may consent to giving to charity/recycling, y’all might be interested to know that there is a new breed of hauling business. Some companies are willing to do a hybrid run to a charity AND to …

Hazardous Waste/Prescription Drugs

Contributed on the public COH Inc. Facebook page: On April 30th is the nationwide date scheduled for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Prescription Drug Take Back initiative. Here’s the website to try and find a location near where you live: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_di…sposal/takeback/index.html From Geralin Thomas, Disorganization Specialist: Here’s a website worth exploring: http://www.disposemymeds.org/index.php/pharmacy-locator From NJ Despres …

Lost (important) Documents

“A little FYI, birth certificates can be ordered from the town hall where your parents were living when born. They usually require a letter of request from the person, and probably a copy of a photo ID. “Your parents probably also need to ask for a certified copy (which has a special seal on it) …

Masks, Goggles, Gloves & PPE

Masks, goggles and gloves “Be very careful when you’re cleaning out where mice have been. You can get very sick (Hantavirus) from the dust from their droppings. Be sure to wear a good mask, they are very annoying, but they work.” “I wholeheartedly agree with the recommendations of being fully suited up, duct tape your …

Misc. Cleaning Tips

 “Never agree to sleep at the cleanup house.”  “Watch for sharp knives everywhere. I think everyone needs a recent tetanus shot, before they go in. Don’t get discouraged when people take breaks that seem kind of long. It is sometimes necessary to take a break that seems to those of us that have planned this …

Mold & Mildew

Mold/mildew “A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home“—Environmental Protection Agency EPA Mold FAQs  10 Things you should know about mold. moldinspector.com “Mold is a problem. Mold and fungus spores are found EVERYWHERE, just looking for a place to sprout. All they need to set up shop is Moisture and Food. “Unfortunately for us, …

Odors

“Vanilla freshens up stale rooms, etc. when placed in a small bowl etc.” “We heard about something we are going to try and that is—coffee. We are going to sprinkle the books with ground coffee while they are packed and when we unload them hopefully some of that musty smell will be eliminated. Some of …

Photographs (on taking them during a clean-out)

“I recommend a good digital camera with a flash. It may be useful to document stuff, for insurance purposes or other reasons. You can take pictures of stuff like the water meter and gas/electric meter in case there’s a question about the readings when it comes time to deal with bills, for example. And it …

Self Care Tips-Taking Care of YOU

“Empty tool waist-apron (or regular apron folded down) for when you find valuable small items/money so you have a place to put them without leaving the task at hand.” ”Chair(s) to sit on, when you need a break and don’t have anywhere to sit. “For something to listen to, bring a radio/cd player-hopefully, the electricity, …

Stop Junk Mail

Catalog Choice is a free service that lets you decline paper catalogs you no longer wish to receive. Reduce the amount of paper you receive, save the environment. Greendimes.com From their site: “We stop 90% of your junk mail and plant 10 trees on your behalf. 1. Sign up: We take you off dozens of …

Storage Units/Pods

“Most companies charge extra for packing the units. So, if you want to make a saving then be prepared to do the packing yourself. Use the space efficiently, experts recommend that you fill the unit completely. Take the advice of the storage unit staff. Since they deal with units daily they can offer you valuable …

Things to Bring/Supplies on Hand

With You to a Clean-Out: •Bottled Water! •Cell phone •Aspirin for headache relief •Eye drops •Allergy relief •Nasal relief •YOUR medications •Lower back support brace if a problem area for you •Band-Aids •Bactine spray for any cuts while cleaning •Change of clothes •Paper plates/cutlery for eating •Microwaveable healthy meals “This is a marathon, not a …