Hoarding isn’t just about hoarder cleanup services or a messy home—it’s a recognised mental health condition that can stem from trauma, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Many people don’t realise that hoarding is not simply an issue of excessive clutter; it’s a deep-seated emotional attachment to possessions, often involving items that seem worthless to others but are meaningful to the person hoarding. What might look like hoarding, cleaning, or a typical clean-up to the untrained eye can actually be an emotional and psychological challenge. Understanding the complexity behind hoarding is key when offering help, and it’s important to approach the clean-up process with patience, empathy, and professional support when needed.

I’ve worked with families where even a pile of junk mail felt impossible to throw away. One case involved a gentleman whose paper stacks were a timeline of his life. It wasn’t about rubbish—it was about memory, identity, and fear of loss.

Before launching into a clean-up, it’s vital to:

Avoid judgment and language like "gross" or "lazy"
Learn about hoarding disorder and its mental health roots
Involve the individual (when possible) in decisions
Seek permission before moving or discarding anything

Plan the clean-up with empathy and structure

A hoarder clean-up is part emotional, part logistical. Whether you’re helping a loved one or managing a professional job, structure is key. It’s not just about tossing everything into a skip bin—it’s about pacing, prioritising, and preparing for setbacks.

Here’s what I’ve seen work in real scenarios:

Assessment first: Walk through the space (if safe) and document rooms.
Sort zones: Create areas for “keep,” “donate,” “discard,” and “decide later.”
Set micro-goals: Tackle one drawer, one shelf, or one corner at a time.
Prep equipment: Gloves, masks, heavy-duty bags, and backup PPE.

Some jobs require specialised biohazard cleaning or pest control, too.

Tip: Connecting with professional government help for hoarding disorder can provide insight, guidance, and a trauma-informed approach.

Effective strategies to minimise overwhelm

Let’s be honest — stepping foot into a hoarder’s house can seem paralysing. The trick is not having tunnel vision. You don’t actually have to fix the entire thing in one pass. You just need a repeatable process. Losing yourself in the mess is no challenge, but dividing the clean-up into manageable parts will help moderate the sense of chaos. Do one small task at a time — clear one countertop, go through a single drawer, or declutter a small pile of papers. Victories beget victories, and soon enough, the room will look different.

On one I handled, we began at the kitchen sink. It didn’t seem a whole lot, to me at least, but the homeowner took a feeling of accomplishment from it and that sense of accomplishment begat motivation. The more surfaces we cleared, the more manageable the space felt — and the more convinced the owner became that the prospect of a clean home was within reach. It’s those small steps over time that lead to change that sticks.

Try these low-stress strategies:

Start with clear pathways
Use timers
Label boxes and bins
Take before/after photos

The role of professional and trauma-informed support

When a clean-up extends beyond the emotional and physical capabilities of family and friends, professional help becomes necessary. Hoarding often requires trauma-informed cleaning services, where trained professionals take extra care to handle the psychological aspects of hoarding. These specialists not only clean but also provide the emotional support needed to help individuals overcome the attachment to their possessions.

Specialist cleaning crews often provide:

PPE and decontamination supplies
Pest control and waste disposal compliance
Patience and experience in emotionally charged settings

One of my clients initially resisted outside help. But after we brought in a trauma-aware cleaning team, she felt heard, not judged. It shifted her whole approach to letting go.

Addressing the underlying issues: Mental health and hoarding

It is important to understand that hoarding is not just a cleaning issue, but one deeply rooted in mental health. There’s anxiety because they often have depression and other kinds of psychiatric disorders, and just can’t get rid of stuff. So, while clean-up is one thing, the treatment of the underlying cause is another. Hoarding behaviour frequently needs some mental health care, such as therapy or counselling. And this is where integrated services - psychological as well as physical cleaning - can really make a difference. If you are supporting someone you care about, don’t underestimate the need for professional mental health care. Balancing physical clean-up and emotional support would provide the best hope for long-term healing.

Support long-term recovery after the clean-up

The job doesn’t end once the rubbish is gone. Without ongoing support, the risk of relapse is high. That’s why a post-clean-up plan is just as critical.

Think beyond the mess:

Connect the person with mental health or social services
Set up regular home check-ins or support visits
Establish simple habits (like a 5-minute daily declutter)
Keep a few “wins” visible—spaces they’re proud of maintaining

There’s dignity in a clean, safe space. But more importantly, there’s healing in having someone care enough to help.

The importance of ongoing support and self-care for carers

Although the initial clean-up is essential, the emotional aspect is something that hoarders and those trying to support them continue to negotiate. Carers need self-care, too. Cleaning out a hoarder’s house can be extremely emotional, and you want to make sure to take care of your own mental health. For those of you who are covering the Olympics and feel no such kinship, for you, we hope you’re taking breaks, contacting support communities or professionals, and getting therapy if you need it. The psychological burden of a clean-up is no longer at the mercy of a recipient of help. And not only does providing that kind of continued check-in and support help them feel less isolated, it empowers them to keep the progress going. This is not to say that a support network along the way wouldn’t be incredibly helpful, from step one right through to the end.

Hoarder Clean-Up Help: Professional Services