A GON Reader Asks

Hi Maria,

I need help/advice as to clean out a house that is stacked up by hoarding for years (depression was the culprit). I am so overwhelmed and don't know where to start or how to get rid of all of it. It is a 3-bedroom, 1-bath house with a basement. It's less than 900 square feet, but it's packed full. Do I bag up stuff and then call the Salvation Army, etc.? It's going to take many, many trips to clear all of this out. No one lives in the house now and I want to sell it, but I've got to get it cleared out. I'm just so overwhelmed right now at how to do this. I cannot subject my friends and family to help me. This is on my own. Thanks for your help.

This Reader Question was submitted by:

--Gina Fine


Maria Gracia responds...

Hi Gina,

Good for you for recognizing that the time has come to let some stuff go. It will take time. After all, it did not get collected overnight. It won't be gone overnight. BUT it CAN be gone. While I know right now it feels totally overwhelming, the job really is do-able. I promise. Maybe after you have done some of the work, you will feel more able to ask for help from friends and family.

Is there anything you know you want from the house? Are there essential papers there you need to keep? If so, separate them and put them somewhere...at your current home, or clear a spot in the house to contain them.

How much time do you have? Are you on any kind of deadline? If not, set your own deadlines for sure. Not for the whole house, but say to clear out one bedroom within a two week period, and so on and so forth.

If you need to go through stuff, go room by room. If you have papers and things no one else could possibly want, bag it up for garbage. Find out when your city does bulk pick up and aim to get things to the curb for it.

How do you feel about garage sales? You could do some, maybe the contents of one room at a time. Large items for a little more money, everything else for fifty cents or less...or everything free if you really want to get rid of it quickly.

Depending on what is there, and where you live, you could consider an estate sale or an auction house. There are companies that simply buy the contents of houses. If your great aunt's pearls are stuffed in an unopened drawer, you will lose out, but on the other hand, things will be gone. Call an estate sale person in your area and see if their service is something to consider or if they have other suggestions. You won't be asking them anything they have not heard before.

If, however, you simply want it all gone, the sooner, the better, donating may be the best route. The Salvation Army and Goodwill will take a lot of things, but even they have limits. Find out what they say no to. Then separate out and toss those things they don't want and see if you can schedule a pick up for the rest.

Another possible option is a junk removal service, like Junkluggers. Do a search for junk haulers in your area, make some phone calls and see if any of them offer the sort of service you are looking for and the cost.

Some cleanup companies provide a large bin in the yard in which to discard stuff that they then come and pick up.

You have made the first step by deciding it is time to do something. That is a big step and takes strength. But you are on your way.

Just remember, even if you only take 15 minutes a day to fill a box or bag for donations or trash, that's one box of stuff less that you have in the house...celebrate every victory.

Don't think of it just as decluttering...but rather a cleansing of your soul and a renewal of your life!

Please write back soon and let me know how you're doing with this project.

--Maria

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Warmly,

Maria Gracia
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