How to Clean a Pack Rat's Home
- 1). Assemble two boxes with packing tape. Clearly mark the sides and top of one box with the word "Keep." Mark the other box with the word "Donate." Assemble and mark additional boxes as needed. Mark boxes labeled "Keep" with the destination in the house for the items, such as "Kitchen" or "Bedroom."
- 2). Write down daily goals. It's better to set small, achievable goals rather than ones that are too overwhelming or are unrealistic. You can always surpass goals. Don't try to force the collector to work at a speed that is uncomfortable for him.
- 3). Start cleaning in the least-cluttered room. Help the collector go through his piles one by one, putting items either in trash bags or in the "Keep" or "Donate" boxes. Show him respect and let him take the lead in sorting through his possessions. Don't throw away anything without his permission.
- 4). Remove boxes of donated items from the area you're cleaning and set them aside for pickup or delivery to the chosen charity. Remove filled trash bags and place them in garbage cans or a Dumpster. Move the "Keep" boxes outside or to another part of the house temporarily.
- 5). Clean the room thoroughly from top to bottom. Use face masks and gloves if there are rodent droppings or mold present. Then set up the room again, moving furniture into the proper places and returning the "Keep" boxes to the room.
- 6). Move on to the next area to sort through, organize and clean. Repeat the process in each room until the house is organized and clean.
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