A lot of people don't realize how dangerous hoarded homes can be until they actually walk into one. We've seen situations that would surprise you. It's not just messy—it's genuinely hazardous.
Here's what we're talking about, and why you probably shouldn't tackle this kind of cleanup on your own.
What You're Actually Dealing With
Bad Air
Dust, mold spores, and allergens build up over time. Without air circulation, you end up breathing in some nasty stuff.
Pests
Rodents and insects love clutter. Plenty of hiding spots, food scraps, and nobody disturbing them. Populations grow fast.
Fire Risk
Stuff piled near heaters, blocked exits, paper everywhere. Hoarded homes burn faster and are harder to escape from.
Falls and Injuries
Narrow paths, wobbly piles, stuff on the floor you can't see. It's easy to trip or have something fall on you.
Other Problems We See
Biohazards
In bad cases, you might find human or animal waste, rotting food, or dead animals. This isn't something you want to handle without proper training and equipment.
Structural Problems
All that weight puts stress on the building. We've seen floors sagging, walls bowing, doors that won't close. Sometimes the structure itself becomes a danger.
Mold
When stuff covers the walls and blocks airflow, mold thrives. It grows behind the clutter for years. You can't even see it. But you're breathing in the spores.
Chemicals
Old cleaning products, car fluids, expired medications—they pile up in hoarded homes. They can leak, mix together, create fumes. It's a mess.
Why You Shouldn't Do It Yourself
When people see how bad things have gotten, the first instinct is to just start throwing stuff away. Here's why that's a bad idea:
- You'll get exposed: Without the right gear, you're breathing in mold, handling pests, touching who-knows-what
- Disposal problems: You can't just throw hazardous stuff in the regular trash. That's illegal and dangerous.
- You'll miss things: Hidden mold, structural damage, stuff you don't know to look for
- It can hurt the person: Forcing a cleanup without support can be traumatic for someone with hoarding disorder
- It'll come back: If you don't address the root causes, the problem returns
What Professionals Bring
What We Actually Do
- Protective gear for everyone
- Trained in handling biohazards properly
- Contain the area so stuff doesn't spread
- Dispose of hazardous materials legally
- Check for mold and structural issues
- Deep clean and sanitize after
- Documentation if you need it for insurance
When It's an Emergency
Some situations can't wait. Call for help right away if:
- No running water or working toilet
- Human or animal waste in the house
- Serious pest infestation
- Visible mold growing
- Structural damage—sagging floors, water damage
- Eviction notice or code violation
- Someone's been hospitalized
Don't try to handle these yourself. Get professional help.
The Bottom Line
Professional cleanup isn't just about making things look better. It's about eliminating real health dangers and creating a space people can actually live in safely. That protects everyone—the person who hoards, their family, the neighbors.