You all missed the point of what the original commenter is trying to say. He meant the guy who cleaned the house, didn't buy expensive stuff to put in the house to replace the old stuff. He uses things and methods that poor people can afford. No one was talking about the habits of the people living in the home. Also you both are being rude because what if the owners didn't have time to clean or what if they suffered from depression and couldn't get up to clean. At least they made the effort to get this guy to help them because they were having trouble doing it themselves. So next time, think before you speak!
@@earthangel8730 you call yourself "angel" but still cannot recognize depression etc. as decease? A human cannot "control" a decease with will or whatever , that is why it is decease, not a little-child fear of new uncertain things. Time to grow and start respect people around you.
Dude. I’m sitting here with a negative bank account and feeling like I’m being worked to the bone at my job. My home is messy and depressing and it’s difficult for me to relax even when I have time. This is so inspiring and I can’t wait to go home and clean.
I know the feeling. The stress of a negative bank account is overwhelming and can often lead to hoarding because you don’t know if you’ll be able to replace something if you get rid of it. One thing that really helped me was looking into minimalism. I’m not a minimalist now, but I’ve pushed myself to get rid of so much stuff and not replace it. When you see how few things some people have (on purpose, when they have lots money to spend), you realize how much stuff you actually have and how much easier life is when you have less stuff to manage. I have been watch “Minimal Mom” because she went from messy and in debt to clean and debt free. It’s so inspiring when someone has been through it and made it out the other side. Our family was in debt about $30,000 and going further into debt every month. It took a few years, but we’re now debt free and building up savings. This week we finally were able to do some renovations where the floorboards in our bathroom were rotting (from a leaky tub). We got the 70yr old tub replaced and the floor patched up. There are so many other fixes that need doing that we can finally get around to, but we will save for them first instead of paying for it on credit like we did in the past (though one of the previous expensive fixes was electrical and it was a must do since there had been a fire inside the wall and they had to rewire half the house, which was $16,000 of sudden unexpected expenses).
Cleaning your home and maybe even just "shopping from your home" (i.e. bringing items from other rooms in and so on) will make you feel 100% better about your environment that you come home to every day from your job that is wearing you down. This will probably create more motivation to do more ! God bless you.
My favorite part is how you rearranged the furniture with their relationship habits in mind, with a way to help them "see each other" more easily. That's so cute and extremely thoughtful.
I was raised as a "lace curtain Irish" where you put up lace curtains even if you're dirt poor. It lifts your spirits and makes your home look inviting. This video is so respectful of this family and makes the home look great.
My floor to ceiling white lace curtains are still up after 30 years! I love them and they give a Country French vibe. Had no idea it was an Irish thing too. So sweet.
We grew up in places like this. Mum would tell us, " A good layer of clean covers a lot of evil." You fixed a lot of it by adding a good layer of clean. Well done. A real kindness.
How interesting. Your Mum is absolutely right. I have been even to poor houses, where many things were old and worn, but all I can remember is how clean, tidy and agreable they were.
You have to make a n mess to clean up a mess Taking stuff from one room to another cleaning 🙃 the place you just freed up and putting the🎉😢 stuff you 😮😅tool out back and n putting thee items back in the room one piece at a time allows u to clean and find a better spot for it.
thank you for addressing the sad dark room = depression = no motivation = room gets dirty = depression cycle because i am going through that right now and it just feels nice to be seen and for once, to not feel like im just a horrible goblin
Depression is definitely a spiral, and that is what makes it debilitating for so many people. My biggest tips are getting light (window, lamp, or outdoors) and speaking to yourself the way you would speak to a close friend with depression. I hope things improve for you and everyone who reads this ❤
I know what you mean babe! Been there, and luckily got through it. I have a family of 5, so when my depression was at it's all time darkest, my house got messy QUICK, which then of course made me feel even $hitttier.... If it's a ☀️ day, GO OUTSIDE, sit with your face in the sun, find a good relatable podcast or motivational video on TY and really take in what they are telling you. For podcasts, I recommend Mel Robbins and if you're a parent, After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings is a great podcast🫶🫶🫶 I know you can't see it now, but I promise no matter how long your tunnel is, there IS LIGHT AT THE END❤
Agree !!! I feel so good after watching this video ! I would love to see the couple’s reaction walking in to their new home with minimal expense … but I can imagine the look on their faces ! ❤
My grandma used to tell me that "Even nothing looks like something if you keep it clean". During struggle times, we children didn't know we were going thru anything because she kept things uncluttered and clean and full of love. That tidbit served me very well with my own children and now they are keeping her legacy alive as they go through challenges. Great work you are doing! And there are plenty of blessings coming to you for your charity to others!
Exactly! We were taught how to sweep the carpet because we didn't have a vacuum cleaner. Used grocery bags as trash bags cause trash bags cost too much. Maybe some other issues going on in this home. Poor does not equal letting trash pile up in your house. Praying for this family.
I wish I had a grandma 😢......the 2 that I did have ignored me......they ignored me, my sisters and my brother. Never got birthday gifts from them.....much less Xmas gifts. 😢 They're deceased now, so is my mother and father. They are gone forever and many unanswered questions 😢
Smart grandma. Thank you for sharing as I am struggling to find work, I'm depressed , & the house is a mess on top of it. Making home look nice combined with other things might get me out of this and having fun again.
Doing this for a family, with this degree of care for their relationship and how they spend their time, as well as their mental health and finances, is an act of mercy. Too many people are living like this, buried in dark, squalid rooms, feeling like there’s no hope. I’ve been there, too. I’m moved to tears to see you do this. What a profound gift.
Literally living this way right now. This house is so similar to mine. We got it when my husbands mom died and have just been dealing with it daily. Moved in, realized how much more was wrong than we thought. Then add the fact that stuff keeps breaking or gets old. Also we don’t have extra income. Hell I don’t even drive because I can’t afford a car. It’s an equation for hopelessness and depression. I’ve been looking for something like this for so long. These are things within my ability to do that will improve how I feel in my own home. ❤ 🏡 🏠
This is where I'm at now 😭 I was always obsessively clean & always organized... after I had my two girls, I can't keep up with anything anymore. I went from a happy, clean, put together kind of person so a depressed, anxious, totally hopeless, fk it kind of person because there's so much that needs done and I can't do any of it. I can't even think anymore because the mess makes my mind feel in constant chaos. Between working full time, having two little ones, and absolutely no help, I literally can't get anything done. I'd love to light a match and just let it all burn to start over.
When I was poor, I discovered that it makes more sense to frequent garage/estate sales and nicer thrift stores to buy great used furniture and accessories that people no longer need rather than buying new cheap pieces that are poor quality and will end up looking like trash. I also learned how to refinish and recover furniture as well as making my own needlework pillows and pictures. People don’t want to waste their money improving someone else’s property but I saw it as an opportunity to learn new skills and saved money by buying materials on clearance.
Garage sales and sometimes estate sales can be a very inexpensive way to update. Most of my furniture is from estate sales. My DIL found a piece of my Waterford crystal at a garage sale for $15. It retailed for over $100.
You opened this paragraph with "WHEN I was poor..." How are you no longer poor? I'm not trying to be nosy, but most people that are frugal/ poor were raised that way. And often, we rarely make it to lower middle class status! Kinda like you don't know what you're missing. One can be financially stable yet technically poor. I find that it builds character & makes you take care of your things you own. I have always appreciated the small things that life has to offer. Meanwhile, I personally know a dozen successful people who are the most miserable people I know. Of course they will not admit such misery out loud. There is never enough money in the bank, they work tremendously hours & have many bad addictions like alcoholism, perversion, adultery, drugs, tax evasion...etc. I feel that they never learned to be satisfied with less. Not everyone is like this, yet it does often happen. I just wanna pay my bills on time & for once, not worry about my child's up coming bday... 😊
I'm not poor, far from rich, but I am extremely thrifty/frugal and I believe in getting more use out of discarded furniture and housewares. My entire house (shared with two others) is furnished and decorated with family hand-me-downs, curbside finds and thrifted/secondhand bargains. I have furniture and housewares from the 1920s-1970s. It's beautiful and made to last. All my friends are proud to be thrifters. I am 69 years old and I've been thrifting since the 1970s.
I like the way you kept their home looking like their home. The change was subtle, yet not so drastic that they wouldn’t feel like they were not in the same home.
I 💯 would have gotten rid of posters or re hung art…. But it actually looked ok in the end and obvs the posters have meaning for the couple living there
@@lightwarrior432but Mrsandypeterson has made a valid point by pointing out that the homemake over had still embraced the owner’s style - previously as a foster mother , l have helped several single young mothers recreate their homes from often a state of complete chaos - it’s very easy to inadvertently make it your style instead of embracing their vision of home….that was something l had to learn myself.
As a fellow broke person, i noticed a lot of the bad spots in this were paint related. Asking people for their leftover paint is a great free option. There is also a discount spot at most paint places with full cans that have been returned or didn't turn out the way the customer wanted. Fresh paint goes a long way to brightening a space
@ameliakat9982 No, the walls were mouldy and needed filling and prepping and the flooring cracked and ripped. Have to fix walls before you paint or it just flakes right off.
This would be less of a long-term solution, but even going to Walmart and spending like 3 or 4 bucks on cheap acrylic paint can help touch up the patchy parts!
In my city they have a hazardous waste program at the city dump where you can bring leftover paint and cleaning products and pesticides instead of dumping it in storm drains or landfill. Whatever is still usable goes into a free paint room and you can take any of it. I picked up multiple cans of leftover white and off-white paint (the most common color), mixed them all together and it was enough to paint my whole hallway including the ceiling. There won't always be enough of any one color to do a whole room but you just mix up a franken-color and you have plenty. It's a win/win because you paint your room for free and keep hazardous waste out of the environment.
The lights did SOOOOO much. As a trailer park kid, who at one point in my life had bare plywood covering a hole separating inside from outside, this was so refreshing. Poor people deserve to have nice homes too. I’m VERY blessed to not be there anymore but I will always remember what that it’s like. Thank you for your wisdom, video, and work.
Just because you are poor doesn’t mean you have to be dirty, messy and unorganized. All that junk and trash made that place looked terrible and depressing…
this is special for me b/c despite how difficult their life is, they have their cat house, cat food stocked and even a little wee box for sweet cat to enjoy. that says a lot about humans, that despite the struggle, they care for those who depend on them. you can see how exhausted they may be from the lack of cleaning and the clutter. bless you for helping this home. our home has to be our sanctuary from this awful world. so it really truly means so much!
Sorry, I dont see this as romantic. These people cannot even take proper care of themselves, they should not have a pet. When the cat gets sick, they will not have the means to respond to a vet emergency.
@daryutube1 Valid concern, but you don't know that. When I was living on my own in my 20s, I always had a paid off credit card just in case a vet bill or car repair was needed. I always put my animals first. Maybe this was a stray cat in need that they took and are taking better care of it than if it was out on it's own. There are plenty of people with financial means to take care of their animals that don't.
As a certified broke person, one of my favorite tricks is fabric shower curtains. They are often wider and longer than standard window panels, and much cheaper. I've also used them to cover couches and tables. I really like this style of video, so I hope you do more.
I've also used shower curtains for the same reasons. When I'm redecorating the bathrooms in a home, an extra matching shower curtain allows me to make curtains for the window and a curtain for a cabinet missing a door.
That's a huge difference -- it went from run-down to just lived-in, and the furniture arrangement was brilliant. It looks like a cozy, relaxing place to come home to now.
@@rogoznicafc9672 > I state how I have a hard time keeping a space tidy > Give solution that helps me keep my home clean > "Why don't you just keep your place clean?"
I love this real approach. I grew up in poverty, and know all too well the depressing loop that these types of environments create. This is real motivation for people - not the typical shiny, expensive, unobtainable “improve your home!” fluff that social media is filled with.
It's so refreshing to see a realistic cleaning video. Regular people don't have money to completely re-do their kitchen or replace all of their furniture. But a few nice touches and organization can go such a long way. Thank you!
Yes! I have helped my friend redo a couple of her places over the years, most being in the “poverty” level. I painted for her and am excellent at trim work. I always say if you are going to paint, do it right, make sure the lines are clean and nice even if you’re painting over shitty walls or paneling or whatever. That little detail goes so far. Just replacing a couple floor tiles that are missing or retacking carpeting, replacing rusted vent covers and light switch covers. That little stuff is so cheap. And goes so far in terms of aesthetic when you are broke. I’ve used fabric table cloths to turn into curtains for like $2 before.
This is how my mom used to "fancy up" our poor when I was growing up. She saved small amounts of money each pay to buy things at yard sales or discount bins. Its amazing how a little here and there raises the spirits. I never knew how poor we actually were. I just thought she really loved beans and potatoes.
Bless her heart!! I grow up broke in a house with chipped paint and small cold bathroom but if you see the way my momma cleaned that house and arranged that living room you’ll be amazed. I’m 34 now, doing well and got myself a nice appartement and at the end of each weekend cleaning I tell myself the same thing : Not as clean and cosy as my mom’s house growing up. I guess she knew how to give that house a soul.
I love beans and potatoes... but that may be because I grew up on them, too. My dad made all sorts of soups with them. Big pots of sustaining food to fill up all those growing brothers of mine.
The constant potatoes was okay. But I made it a point to forget about those damn beans. Then my dad started spicing them up with hot dogs. 😂 If only I could follow in his footsteps. It wasn't until I settled his estate I learned the most money he ever earned from his sunrise to sunset labor until his death at 85 years old was less than $700 a month. To put that into perspective that doesn't cover my car payment...We were loved, happy and never missed a meal. 🙏 God looked over us and provided for us. It just wasn't that bad. 🙏
@@joycebruce7452 God bless him and your Mom. It must have been hard and sometimes scary for them but they didn’t let it cast shadows on your childhood - sounds like they had their priorities right, much respect to them both!
Even $300 isn't that much to re do an entire living room. That's incredible, and doable for many of us. Thank you so much for this video and making us feel like we don't have to have an Instagram perfect home for us to enjoy our space
IIRC, this used to be the original HGTV lineup- tons of shows about doing DIY projects for cheap. I remember a show where they had to remodel a room for no more than $500, so it was basically just cleaning, reorganizing the room and upcycling things by painting or whatnot. It was much less wasteful than the current version where they just toss away perfectly good things. I noticed the couch in this video is a Stickley, which is a pretty high end American brand that sells for $$$ on vintage sites. There is something to say about having old pieces mixed in with newer stuff. I also feel like these shows are more practical for the average viewer than the 6000th flipping show.
I never clicked so fast on a video. We’re bombarded with modern “Instagram” apartments , with everything from West Elm and Article. Stainless steel appliances. It’s great to remember not everyone lives like that and it’s no shame in creating a clean homey environment even if you have no money. One of the best things I think you can do is to try to be as uniform as possible. Raggedy, mix match furniture, random tables and shelves make the room look even more junky and cheap. I love these hacks. Appreciated.
Hey now....mix matched furniture and random stuff arranged well may just need a new rug to pull everything together. Or maybe a change in wall art, set of curtains, or throw pillows can make all the difference!
@@SneekySecretsI think some people are naturally imaginative/ creative and can make anything work - whereas some really need help. I love upscaling for example, but many of my friends like brand new because of lack of imagination.
I always tell my kiddo that there are 8 billion people in this world, data shows that most live like this to some degree, or certainly not HGTV level lifestyle. More vids like this are def needed, true!
If you get your furniture from the curb, painting it all one color makes it match instantly! Plus, it’s cheaper to buy a gallon of paint than a dozen miscellaneous quarts.
I'm 70 now, but years ago I was a single mother with 2 small children. Being clean, tidy and organised goes a long way. Thrift shopping is essential. The main thing is to not let it get out of hand, because it becomes ever harder to catch up.
Same here, was a single mom of 3 and keeping it clean to start with helps a ton because nobody wants to come home after work and dinner and homework then deal with a mess! If you have children, have them pitch in and help. They need to be taught how to clean their messes up and to have chores. And I didn't have the money to give my children allowance for the chores either after my divorce but the parks and other free rewards worked GREAT! And always put God first. He will see you through!💖🙏
As i try to improve my home and reduce visual clutter without money to spend on it, here are my go to tips : use good shape cardboard boxes to hid things in open shelves (push the "wings" inside it, paint it in white or black, put everything in it and put it back on the shelves. Easier for the eyes), put or throw away decor and knick knacks (too much to clean and hard on the eye, you want an easier home to live with), hide with simple black or white curtains, put thrifted mirrors to add light. That is what i've found so far
As a psych major, and having worked in the mental health field, having a clean, beautiful space is SO important. You are doing great things for people. Plus you’re pretty funny! Thanks so much
@@DonaBolognaof course this is true. Help and resolving the root of the problem are both so important! I don’t think a space being clean can do that on its own. But as someone who currently can’t afford the more thorough mental health treatment I need, brightening up my home so that I at least have that to look forward to/one space I feel as comfortable as possible in has saved me. If it can help me get through a few days or weeks without exacerbating the issue, I’m grateful!! 😊
I suffer from bipolar disorder with debilitating depressive episodes. Housework is usually an overwhelming process. This video inspired me to do the dishes and clean the countertop. It might not seem like much to most people, but it’s a big deal for me most of the time. Thank you for your understanding and compassion toward those of us that silently struggle to perform the smallest tasks to keep our homes livable. ❤
A number of years ago, I made a deal with myself that I did my dishes before I went to bed each night, no matter how tired I was. I have not broken my promise to myself and it's amazing how much better I feel walking into the kitchen each morning. It takes commitment, but it's worth it.
U have demons They love dry places And they do not like clean places Because if things are clean, they can easily be seen U do not need meds, or doctors or therapy U need prayer and deliverance Never give a demon power over your life ♥️🙏
@@2HennaHands Learn to recognize truth - rather than opinions Your mind is bound - your heart is cold and because of such - u will perish 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
My mom grew right after the great depression and had an outhouse. Her dad was a coal miner and they were very, very poor. She was a clean freak and once said, "You can be poor, but it doesn't mean you have to be dirty." And very refreshing for someone to say that some (a lot) of us don't have an extra $300.00 just lyin' around! Can't remember the last time I had an extra $300.00 burnin' a hole in my pocket. Oh yeah I do....NEVER. Thanks for this!
it's such a shame that people with the hardest jobs ever used to live in poverty. the working poor. did anybody read the book "Germinal"? My grandma used to get up super early in the morning, made the bed (sic! with pretty 'never-slept-in'- ornamental cushions and rugs), dusted the house, cleaned the windows and floors, got her grandchild up, into school, got to work and worked the 2 large gardens with fruit, vegetables and a ton of flowers in the evenings - nobody in our family can recreate what she had done nor knows how she did it all her life, it's a marvel...
@@SaraMKay You are not kidding. I am also a historian, by education and profession, and I am endlessly in awe of what some of our ancestors did on a daily basis. It boggles the mind!
Oh my gosh! We had an outhouse too. Its one of the highlights of my childhood memories. Not then though. It was scary. 🙂 A good way to makeover with very limited funds was wallpaper, paint and rearranging furniture. Turning some furnitue into something else - add TV to dresser. 🙂
This is the most respectful house cleaning I've ever seen. You are caring of their personal items and only speaking about what kind of cleaning you're doing and why. This was extremely practical and you can truly feel how heartfelt you went into this.
Never had someone come into my feed that I needed more than you and this video. I am sitting here disabled, poor, and sick with my favorite holiday less than 3 weeks away. You have given me ideas and hope that in just a few days I can transform my home into exactly how I want it to be this Christmas. Thank you. And what you have done for your neighbors was incredible. I've subscribed and am about to binge on your content.❤❤❤
I feel your pain! I have autoimmune diseases that make me SO TIRED AND ACHY! It’s a struggle to get up at all. I think watching these videos could help me. I hate living in clutter and mess 😮It’s depressing. I just found this channel and hope I can bring myself to get up and do something! 💜
@78twood yes...autoimmune issues as well! Having bad joints really puts a damper on the ability to clean. I haven't been able to get much done, but listening to this man and knowing he gets "it" and is so compassionate is comforting. I hope things get better for you.🩷
One of the few actually relevant, real-life UA-cam videos I've seen. How to take what you have and make it look and feel better. Minus the Pinterest BS, the Instagram BS, and all that other BS that only applies to rich people & feels designed to make the rest of us feel like crap. This is useful advice, thank you.
Agreed @melindakeeley1582 Media (all, except for this gentlemen's type show) put the bar to be met so high that many give up before getting started. And for good reason. Media show fake perfection which is impossible for the average family.....across the board. Thus, the descent of even trying.
HGTV used to have a show called Design ReMix ( I think) where they'd just reorganize and reconfigure your piece using 99% of the stuff you already have. loved to see things just revamped and not only all new stuff
tsp - trisodium phosphate. granular white powder sold in pint and two-pint milk containers. people think spic and span or pine sol are good cleaners they should try this shit. i'm a broke-ish person and instead of buying paint for my slumlord's place i washed his shit brown walls. brown? with some other color(s) mixed in, it's very... ugh. after the walls were washed it doesn't look half as dingy (1 bdrm apt) as it did. cleanliness and order without clutter help keep one sane.
The way you go through each thing - read each piece of mail so you don't throw out important ones, and go through caps to find coins - it's honestly making me choke up a little. Whenever my mental health is in a bad space and is reflected in my house, I'm so scared to ask for help because even if my things are not in their best shape, I still care about them (and can't afford to replace them). The way you care is beautiful and the world needs more of that!
Back in the 90s there was a like "surprise! We're going to redo a room in your house and one in the neighbors!" One of the designers glued hay to the walls in a house w a toddler. Such an epic failure and disrespect to the homeowners. I still can't get over it. Lol😅
Fantastic job! The curtains did it for sure! Plus the clean up. I’ve been poor most of my life but I always been clean and found ways to make my home look better by finding things at garage sales and thrift stores. Your kindness is everything ❤
I've been in pain and in a depressive rut for months, I've been slacking on cleaning. This has helped give me a spark of motivation. As much as I love watching people clean big, beautiful homes, they aren't really relatable to my current living situation. Thank you so much for this.
I love how you didn’t just give them a beautiful place to live, but you completely understood the mental cycle living like that entails. Issues with my physical health took a toll on my standards for the home I wanted to keep and raise my children in. In turn that caused me such mental anguish and self loathing, that I felt and sometimes still feel hopeless to overcome and reset my life. Seeing someone like you lives in this world that gives of yourself to better the lives of others makes me smile! I’m looking forward to enjoying more of your videos and hopefully finding myself motivated enough to find an off-ramp on my circular driveway of life! 😂👍🙏
@kikilee123 hi. I'm in the same situation as you bc of my progrogressively messy house due to accumulated health conditions, which have undermined my best plans & attempts to put things bk in order. You are so correct in pointing out the mental-pain from living in a very disorderly house. Most pple either wouldn't understand that or , they might not acknowledge thats its real & that its not a laziness issue, it's a physical disability issue. Trying to regain some mobility so I can do the work that's needed.. Thank you -- you've inspired me bc now I know I'm not alone in this situation & I can stop beating myself up. I wish for you the same as I wish for myself : improved health. 😊 Merry & Blessed Christmas to you & yours from NYC
@@salgaltrixie8265 - you're not lazy, and you're not doing anything wrong. houses often reflect the amount of care we are able to give them but that doesnt mean you're doing a bad job, just that you don't have a lot of time and energy left over to put into your house. Being disabled takes up a lot of physical and mental space in your life - of course your home reflects that! As scary (and embarassing) as it can be, people love to feel useful, so maybe it would be worth reaching out to a friend/family member to come and help you dig out? You could even find a "chore" to swap if asking for help makes you feel too awkward (like calling to make some appointments they've been putting off or helping them fill out job applications or something.) You deserve to live in a clean and safe space, even if it's not something you're able to do on your own right now
Thanks for explaining, I often catch myself judging without fully understanding. Everyone feels down from time to time, but the majority of us (at least I hope) as a safety net and enough stability to do the basics. So it's hard to really understand what a depression feels like and that's not something you recover from by just changing your mindset
Proof that even if a home is humble, if it's clean and straightened up, it can be quite comfortable. Looks great and I'm sure the residents were thrilled.
Oh yeah. Since the first video I watched - it has been very entertaining, but with such humbleness and empathy for the person(s) whose house he's cleaning.
Also, you make the link between depression and loss of motivation. Your service prolly had the same impact as 6 months of antidepressants. Yes what Jesus would do❤
I love that this content shows that no matter how little you think you have, you can make it look so much better. When your home is clean and tidy, it has a really positive impact on your mental health. If you are lacking in motivation partly fueled by your home being untidy, just watch a couple of motivational videos like this. But not too many, otherwise you ain't getting off that couch. Much respect to you guys for taking the time to create this content. It will only do good things for people, who may otherwise continue to feel unhappy in their homes.
Im almost in tears. Ive only ever lived in messy or falling apart environments growing up. In my 20s I moved away, started living in places that were nicer and it was so much easier to keep them clean. I think a lot of it had to do with motivation: you dont feel overwhelmed by the mess, the mess keeps you confined to one spot, like you dont want to move around or even have to look at it. I came back to the dairy I grew up on (basically all of my family lives on this dairy) and it pains me to see the conditions of their houses. I want so badly to change the environment for them and seeing this channel, seeing how you want to help people, its making me cry a little. My heart is so full sir, you're a beautiful soul.
TLDR: Your expressions of empathy and kind sentiments about the owners of the homes you clean have impacted my life so personally, and its such a breath of fresh air considering how many people bullied me for being a messy b!tch. You helped me find a job, and I'm even up for a promotion. THANK YOU, so SO much. (I'm not crying, you are. So suck it.) I really appreciate how you speak about people who have messy or hoarder homes. Especially when you talk about the cycle of things getting messy, feeling overwhelmed, not cleaning because you're overwhelmed and then it gets dirtier and then you get more overwhelmed. I was ridiculed by my family, friends, roommates, and partners for my entire life about how messy, dirty, and hoarder-y I was. I never /wanted/ to live like that, but with (then) undiagnosed ADHD, my anxiety, depression, and general trauma I experienced growing up, I didn't have the skills to keep up with my room. I'd BLAST THROUGH 'cleaning' it once every few months, and still feel so overwhelmed about sorting all my tiny trinkets and knickknacks that I'd just stuff them in boxes in my closet and under my bed. I just cleaned out the LAST box of those trinkets last month....only took me 5 years.... It was stressful as a kid to get in trouble for being messy when no one taught me how to /be/ clean or how to clean, but it was worse when I was an adult and people didn't give me any kind of lax on it, they ONLY saw it as disgusting. Roommates would see me start cleaning and then get distracted, overwhelmed, or just freeze up and they'd get UPSET with me and hold resentment. All the while, I was beating my self up in my brain more than anyone else ever could. I called my self the worst names for being so gross, convinced my self I didn't deserve nice things, I didn't deserve a nice living space because I couldn't do it my self. It wasn't until I took the gamble of quitting my job without another lined up so I could spend 2 months just focusing on myself that I actually began to see improvements. I learned how to clean efficiently by watching Aurikaterina and then I found your videos which provided good entertainment and more cleaning tips and such amazing support. I ended up challenging myself and I applied for professional cleaner positions. And I got hired, like instantly. I've been working that job for about 2 months now, and they've offered me their companies Trainer position because of the quality and consistency of my cleans and how I can assess what does and doesn't need to be cleaned at this time or next visit. Your kind sentiments in your videos really impacted me, it changed my life and has changed some of the self-perceptions that I had. I'm sure there are lots of people who watch these videos and kind of separate the state of the house from the state of the individual, or just try to project blame or shame onto them, but there are also people who are watching these videos and learning life skills, and learning that they aren't broken, worthless, or wrong just because this is one of the 'first world problems' that they have. Thank you so much for watching every single cleaning video on youtube so that you had to go and make your own channel for more hoarding-cleans content XD You've changed my life.
AND I WAS WATCHING THIS ON MY TV WHEN I THOUGHT OF TYPING THIS. I literally got up and pulled out my laptop because I was so moved by the feelings of appreciation.
@teentitansrock88, I am so proud of you, how you have taken charge of your life, and made it better! You are an inspiration to all of us with similar if not the same issues. And of course thanks to Mack for his compassionate non-judgmental attitude.
So much of your story resonated with me. I remember as a child my mom tell me to clean my room, I had way too much stuff, and I'd take everything out of my closet to organize and I'd get in trouble for my room being messier. I had the concept but not the guidence. Fast forward got married but broke=clean house! When we both worked full time=more stuff and I'd get overwhelmed trying to sort not only thru my stuff but my husband's things. Its been predominantly put on me and I still struggle. During all this certain ppl made me feel if my home wasn't perfect then I'm a failure. What's funny is looking back my home was in a better place vs 10 yrs ago! Now I'm struggling with home improvement projects and trying to get rid of the crap! It's hard when you have the, I want to, but you don't have the support and/or skills to put the puzzle pieces in place. I could really use prayer/good energy. We want to sell our home but it needs packing and fixing up and the facilitating is put on me!
Well done, go you 😊. And isn't it funny how people being non-judgemental and showing empathy and patience works to get you beginning to move forward, when all the shaming and pushing and attitude has just had you pushing a big rock up a hill and beating yourself up when you can't keep it there and everything just gets worse. A supportive attitude goes a long way. These guys are changing lives and helping us get things happening. I'm so pleased for you (and others that I might not get to respond to) that you're turning things around.
Wow. This is a great way of showing how even if you’re broke, you can still have a sense of pride and dignity in your home with a little effort. It’s amazing how you have that magic touch to make things cozy again. Love this channel!
We bought our 104 yr old farm house a lil over a year ago. I live on disability plus work part time and I have delt with being poor all my adult life. Some may think I'm weird for saying this but I find that being this way makes me appreciate the things I do have and helps me me creative when decorating my house. I love second hand stores, dollar tree, clearance sections when I can afford to go. Two of our local family dollar stores closed and I found fabric shower curtains for next to nothing to fit both my big picture windows and after painting my dining room and my front room make it look amazing. I took shower curtain hooks from Wal-Mart and wrapped them in twine to hide what they really were. Thank you for sharing how you transformed you home and stating how having little to no money doesn't mean that you still can't have a nice home.
Would love to see those posters gone. Look messy and uninviting. Maybe later when you find something more appropriate for a living room, in a garage sale
Even the artwork on the walls, that looked so chaotic before, now looks actually so in order and tidy. You didn't even touch it, but the rest of the room makes it look like it. Very impressive!!
I love that you show you don't need a bunch of expensive items to have a clean and tidy home. People with low income deserve to live in a clean environment. Thank you for what you do and for your sense of humor 🤣
@@user-yl2so8db5t U should read it again... "People with low income deserve to live in a clean environment. " Having clean place isnt something "you should have" its something u works towards...
There is no excuse for not keeping a clean house. Wash your pots, put them away. Put your empty beer cans in the recycling. Hang your clothes up, don't just dump them on the floor. These actions cost nothing. Stop using "being poor" as an excuse
@ElsieJoy39 think about it this way: if you’re poor, you often have to work longer hours to make ends meet (less time/energy to clean), and you can’t hire help to make your space nicer, like painters, carpenters or cleaners. Also, being broke can cause a lot of anxiety and even depression, which makes it difficult to find the motivation to clean. Another thing is physical disability. Older people or people with disabilities can’t bend over or lift things a lot of the time, making them unable to do a lot of basic cleaning/upkeep tasks. If you think about it, there are plenty of reasons why it may be harder or impossible for some people to keep their space clean.
I have been broke so many times in my life because I was too sick to work. I had trouble coming up with enough money for vitamins and food and never was able to afford a computer, TV, and speakers. My furniture was my old bedroom furniture and pressed wood cubes. Blinds, no curtains, because the blinds came with the house. Cleaning the place and sprucing up what you can for friends is a real kindness. It interrupts the cycle of depression and the feel of being overwhelmed. It is wonderful to know that someone cares enough about you to do that!
@thurayya8905 my I'll friend gets free computers, TVs furniture from rubbish skips or trash days. Don't judge its a "no cash to purchase fancy decor?" video not a "who is the poorest" competition 😂😂
This has got me up off my butt. My family left. For right days. I have 2 small boys and a husband. I've been alone already for FOUR days and I've been rolling in my own misery. This video finally I spired me to get UP and do something that matters. You've no idea what you've done. Thank you so very much.
Gotta say this again, I know video is on high speed, but that little black cat rolling and exposing his belly to you speaks volumes!!! You’re such a beautiful soul that pets feel so free and trusting around you. That kitty is thrilled to have its house cleaned ❤ Have to edit and add: MY FAVORITE VIDEO TO DATE!!! Excellent job gentlemen.
Love what you did my husband never done anything with our home he would sit watch me wallpaper paint put curtains up along wee still together 50 yes my back done cant get round shops l so proud my two sons help me now
Small curtain tip : put the first eyelet on the outside of the rod past the wall hooks.This secures the curtain and it pulls it out further allowing more light in and makes the window a few inches bigger with more light coming and it also still hides the trim problem.
I also thought the kitchen curtain was so long it might have been better to attach one rod bracket to the actual countertop then get a different rod bracket that could be attached to the wall. Might have pulled it up enough?
I'm not sure how your video made it onto my suggestions, but I'm so glad it did and thank you for making it. After losing my mom unexpectedly in 2020 and dealing with the pandemic, my house fell apart right along with me. It's been something I've been feeling extra embarrassed about because I have two cleaning jobs, but yet live in an overwhelmingly messy home myself. I haven't had company over since 2019 and with the depression beginning to lift, I wanted to make it a priority to get my home clean enough for company in 2024. After watching this video it gave me motivation and inspiration to finish my living room and dining room. May not seem like much to most people, but it was a huge accomplishment. You have another subscriber!
Congratulations. It is an enormous accomplishment. This will seem odd, but even watching the videos of one of the guys who does lawn mowing (I think it is SB mowing?) and yard makeovers totally motivates me to clear out things that don't belong in my space. He does run down places for people in need mostly too. I'm not too interested in hoarding situations, because that's not my issue, but average messy places being transformed without much expense really motivates me. But back to the point, you should be pleased with what you've accomplished and how you've changed your own situation! :-)
If you lived in the UK, I would have come out to give you a hand. I know the feeling when self neglect is a form of grieving in itself. There's a reason why in the Bible they describe grieving people pouring ash on their heads and covering themselves in sacs. Grief does that to a person's insides.
congratulations on your achievements, and my sincerest condolences for your loss. i also work a cleaning job, and my place is a disaster too. it makes sense to me, in a way. we spend all day cleaning, so why would we want to go home and do even more of it, for free? not to mention that sanitation jobs are physical labour, and if you're anything like me, by the end of the day i've got no energy left. props to you, though! wishing you all the best from here on out! i'm actually moving out at the end of the month, so hopefully it'll be a good chance to get myself back on track and make the new place a decent one to live in
I did housekeeping for 12yrs. Believe me! I know after a full day of cleaning up after everyone else's azzes the last thing u wanna do is come home and clean ur own house. Ironic really. I'd come home every day and say to myself "I wish someone would come clean my house🙄"
As someone who struggles with depression, my place can get this way VERY easily. It's a very hard cycle to break. Thank you for the great tips! I really appreciated that you approached this with zero judgement, only the desire to help out another person.
I don't know what I love more, the pitter-patter of your feeties in fast-mo, OR the conversations in fast-mo. It's amazing how much CLEAN can make a difference! You guys did a fantastic job!
Depression causes clutter, and clutter deepens the depression. Music and lighting definitely picks up spirits. Bless all those struggling as I do. Thanks for an awesome video.😊
This is the first time I’ve ever seen one of your videos, and the thing that struck me the most is how you kept talking about that there’s ALWAYS something positive that can be done. What wonderful people you are.
I love seeing little insights into these people's lives, like the guitar and the posters and the console. Those make it seem like they're fun people to be around and I hope they can form more happy memories because of what you've done for them.
Such an improvement! (It makes me seriously want to thin out the posters, though.) It’s so true that simply cleaning up makes everything look exponentially better and you can usually make things look even better using what you already have. My mom was the queen of this concept. Everything we owned was a hand me down or garage sale/thrift find. She would refresh everything seasonally by rearranging the furniture and using things in different ways. She kept everything tidy and people always thought our home was beautiful.
My mom was raised with wealth but we certainly didn’t have extra growing up. She taught herself to make curtains, refinish and reupholster furniture, and to always tidy up. Our house was clean and comfortable. It was so gratifying to see her be able to purchase furniture new when she got older.
We had new carpet installed in our family room last week, EVERYTHING had to be taken out. We moved the furniture around when putting stuff back in and boy did it make a huge difference, feels like a new room. 👍🏻👍🏻
I have to say this is my favorite video it shows empathy for those who need it and no judgemental view or expressions of any kind . I wish more people like you existed. I bet these people were eternally greatful .
Yo thanks dude. I just got motivated to do all my dishes and now I’m off to vacuum out my couch. As a start. I love that you are showing a real messy house because this is so common. People think a house getting this bad is rare. No. It is not. It’s really not. So many reasons why our house gets like this. Bless you for helping them.
Love the curtains. You are so right regarding depression and going around in circles. I need to clean and declutter but too depressed to do anything about it. So the circle goes around and around. Thank you for your help with this family, I feel sure they appreciated it🤗🇬🇧
I hear you, same thing here, plus I am 66 and quite gimpy. I find it hard to bend over without getting very dizzy and I need to get rotator cuffs on both arms so I have a limited range of motion. I could go on and on but I won’t bore you.
As someone who just believes in tidy, I tell my friends who are struggling with it: just throw trash in the trash. Makes a massive difference in both how your space looks AND how you feel IN your space. Sometimes that's all you need to keep going with the tidy up! This was a great video! Thank you for sharing!
I totally agree. Obviously some people have health issues, but if at all possible, make it a line in the sand to never leave trash around like that. As soon as you get up, throw it away!
It's not easy to just be told what to do. I'm 40 and still struggle with with putting things back and throwing things away. An empty box of noodles will set on my counter for more than a month.
@melissabenson6749 tell me you domt suffer from a mental illness without telling me. I ADHD really bad. It's just one thing that creates others to be worse. I have the cleanest bathroom and car you'll ever see but my kitchen is cluttered. Not gross. Just messy. Dishes are done and there is no molding food. Just empty boxes that will pile up. I don't know why...I can't afford health care to find out why. I just know I was diagnosed with bad adult ADHD but can't afford the meds to help. I'm extremely creative. I paint. I do cakes. I draw. All all these things I'm pretty good at. I sell my cake up to 500 bucks amd people request me. I sold a painting 1 week ago for 300. However I have my habits. Even when trash can is empty I still toss food boxed in a corner. Dont know why.
Because it could be useful / fear of being wasteful, or sometimes with depression the gest itself is felt as too much for the moment and you will do it later
This is AMAZING! I’m a handicapped mom (right arm amputee) with a left arm amputee husband and we don’t get disability benefits (ik it’s crazy thanks Uncle Sam 🙄) so we’re struggling financially and I love how this video addressed the accessibility of the space as well as giving economical and PRACTICAL solutions! Awesome video! Thank you 😊
Thank you for showcasing a poor family's home that looks in rough shape.These types of homes are all across America and in other parts of the world. A lot of people aren't considerate to those who are down on hard times and can't afford to fix their homes or have valid reasons that their homes are not clean, like struggling with mental illness or sickness of some type. I am so thankful that you did not judge these people for why their house was in the condition it was in, but helped them make it better. Thank you for showing your compassion for others in this video.
The rearranging really helped. Because I tend to be a little messy, I put a decorative wastebasket in every single room, by a chair and especially by a desk. That helps me a lot.
I do this too and it really does keep down trash clutter. I “treat” myself to scented trash bags once in awhile or spray essential oil/water on the cans to keep motivated to empty them.
@@xthatwhiteguyx yes, I can see that becoming a problem the older I get. 75 now but I use small plastic grocery bags in each basket so it makes it easy to grab it, tie it up and grab up two or three and toss.
@@pamelajean1905 Where I live those bags have been banned, because 'single use plastic'. So now I BUY plastic bags for the garbage cans and they're only used once. Crazy. The unintended consequence of a good effort to reduce dependence of plastic=petroleum=oil. Costs me more and used only once vs a bag that brought the groceries home then became the garbage bag. Ridiculous.
This video is awesome! So many “budget friendly” room make-over videos would still cost the average paycheck to paycheck family a friggin fortune. When a supposedly budget friendly rug still costs $300, the video definitely isn’t for everyone. I love that you touched on real basic concepts like arranging the room so they didn’t have to cross each other’s spaces but could still hang together doing separate things.
Almost every video I watched that claimed to be about something budget friendly during my broke student years were making me feel even more broke. Budget friendly meals? How to budget while broke? All just for the upper middle class trying to spend their almost fortune amount of money in a "smarter way". Then I discovered a channel run by the fundamentalist Christian couple that was just what I wanted all the other channels to be. I subscribed and watched all of their videos. They were fundies, but they rarely spoke about that kind of things because the channel was about frugality. Still, for some reason the algorithm started thinking I was interested in fundamentalists or was one so it started recommending me videos made by other fundamentalists. I watched some of them. Themes like modesty, traditional gender roles and for some reason the Satanist caliphate conspiracy theory were dominating my front page for a while. It just made me realise how far from regular viewers this kind of content is buried under by the garbage. I found out the same to be the truth for the craft tutorials. Real stuff is hidden under the layers and layers of videos that were not made to teach you something new or showing you tricks to improve in your craft. They were made to be watched by people who are not into doing crafts and are instead there to watch something calming because that is how they deal with stress.
Bless you for understanding the cycle of mental health / depression and not cleaning. Bless you for your non-judgmental approach. And bless you for helping these people. This video is so much more realistic than so many others. Thank you. 😊. I subscribed.
@@ElisPalace Pretty clear to me that you don’t know what you’re talking about. People don’t “use things like mental illness” as an excuse. Mental illness is just that - an illness. It’s not a character defect. Get it?
@@ElisPalaceI totally agree!!! People will always,make up excuses,for everything,instead of taking responsibility for anything.Some people are just lazy and nasty.
I like your finishing touches. They make a real differece. I am sure that the family loved it. I have all my "stuff" on one huge shelving system covered by floor to ceiling curtains in white. It makes all the difference to the room. Well done guys and watch out for the moose.
This brought back a lot of sad, sad memories for me. Poverty is a debilitator. You have done more than clean here. You have rejuvenated lives. I wish I'd known someone like you back in the day. Now, I just hope I have helped in this kind of way for others.
He actually shows in detail all the ugly steps. I LOVE THIS.His notes on lighting & music are 100% right on psychologically. Please, dude, gloves! I SO get this guy. Natural feng shui, understands space and how to maximize flow in small spaces. I share this knack, untrained. I LOVE this video!
Yes, but not to the gloves. It's an unnecessary step. Hear me out. Before there were gloves we survived just by washing our hands. Their dirt is no different than yours. The gloves are not good for our planet. Please love our home more than convenience!!
I hadn't thought about it that way, though the gloves don't have to be a one-use-only item. Unfortunately we can still get tetanus (aka lockjaw) from dirt. Things can be transmitted in this pile of dirt but, I know, we have swung a little too far to the other side as far as hygiene is concerned. It would be good to find a middle ground again.@@daniellejames8028
The way you describe the cycle of depression that comes with a messy house is so spot on. I feel so understood. That in and of itself is reason enough for me to subscribe. Thank you!
I love that you did this. That was so kind of you to do for this couple. Our environments have such an impact on our mental health and sometimes a small adjustment like lighting and furniture rearrangement can make us feel like whole new versions of ourselves. Thank you for sharing this with us!
What a kind, respectful way of presenting a difficult situation. We used to manage a small apartment building and one tenant and her family got into a similar predicament. We moved her from one unit to another which was situated over a storage area. This allowed her to worry less about noise from her small child. It also gave her an opportunity for the fresh start you alluded to. It took days to get her old place cleaned and decorated to the standard needed for a new tenant. But it was all worth while. She sought us out years later to thank us. Life doesn’t get much better than that.
THIS is realistic and what I needed to help me clean my house. My apartment hasn't been updated since it was built in the 70's and I appreciate this so much.
I also used a shelf for a shoe rack. It was a part of an entertainment system i think and is solid wood. It looks very nice in the entry. I picked it up during one of those citywide curb days where people put all the stuff they want to get rid of on the curb and since it is an affluent place you get nice stuff and it's basically like recycling. Very very little actually ends up being picked up for the landfill at the end of it.
I love doing stuff like this for people. I did this for a girl once who was going to have a CPS visit and was terrified she would lose her son. Took me about 1hr 45 mins to do her bedroom and kitchen. And you are absolutely correct the best way is to start with an empty canvas, so moving everything out of the room is the best way to start. People tell me im weird because i get bored with my apartment and every other month i move furniture around or do a deep clean/organize. Haha 😅 Storage is your friend! Sometimes homes can look hoarded or cluttered if you don't have places to put things away. Shelves, end tables, storage boxes that fit under beds, couches, and dressers are awesome. You can find free furniture on classifieds sometimes. I have a small coffee table i got for $10 at a thrift store. The poor thing was so ugly lol but a $3 can of spray paint made my $10 coffee table looks like an $80 coffee table 😅
When I lived with my parents I reorganized my room pretty much every other month too :D I do it to a degree now in my own apartment, but mainly in the bedroom where it's the easiest
Good storage makes all the difference, yes! If things have a good easily accessible place, then it is so easy to maintain tidiness! This is why all the shoes in the house are on a giant rack by my door
Long term hack: check out the returned paint section at Home Depot, Ace, Lowes. Ive found gallon jugs of nice colored paint for under 10 bucks. Good for cabinets or funiture. Once, i collected a few gallons of similar colored paints and mixed them together in a 5 gallon bucket to do 2 rooms. Just make sure they are the same kind of paint (latex, oil, ect). Can also be done to ugly flooring if you splurge on a top coat. I did a full makeover of an old bed room for 40 bucks between paint, one roller set, and a few things i found at garage sales.
That’s a brilliant tip with the paint. I’m the free-wheeling optimist who would mix a bunch of unrelated colors and go with whatever random color happened!
Yes! I just discovered that exists and got some expensive paint for 7$. I guess it had sat there a while or they wanted rid of it because it was $50 a gallon paint. I’ve already used some for a paint wash on 30 yr old builder grade bathroom cabinets I had sanded to the natural wood. It worked amazingly well and I’m so glad I found it and attempted something new. 😊
@@thepixinator2592 if you watch a quick video on color theory, it will help keep you from wasting paint making baby poop color (unless you are way ahead of me there). Otherwise a fun way to play 😄
I love how real and honest you come across!! 22:37 I especially thought the fact that you were cleaning under the couch cushions with no gloves showed great humbleness and that you were just there to help. So glad you pointed out how despair and depression can work. It’s easy to sit back and judge a person’s circumstances without knowing what it’s really like
I work at a non profit mental health agency and we have caseworkers that help clients and there was on client that had been with the agency for YEARS and the caseworker told us stories of helping them with this hoarding situation.. It was so sad.... Caseworkers /managers are often some of the warriers of the front line with this. THey go into depressed or mentally challenged client's homes to address these issues. We need to pay those folks more money. I am glad that there is slowly and gradually more compassion and understanding and empathy.. Thanks to videos like these!
The compassion is amazing, but I think gloves would still be a good idea. I use gloves when cleaning my own home, I don't think there is any kind of message by wearing cleaning gloves.
No gloves puts himself at risk. It has nothing to do with being humble. Being humble is not judging these people and being very matter of fact about what he was doing, and how you can do the same without spending money.
I have to say the best part of your videos is the narration. Your voice is very comforting and melodic. Some people who comment that this person is just a slob has zero empathy. Of course, no one knows another's state of mind or struggles/past tragedies they may be dealing with physically or mentally. I don't have trash or empty drink or food wrappers or obvious garbage in my home but it is messy because I just have too much "stuff". I need to purge desperately to get my home in a state of "calm" again. When you're physically and mentally drained, you have no energy. Thank you for this work you do. You are an angel.
I really appreciated that he pointed out the cycle of crappy room -> depression -> lack of motivation -> room gets crappier -> depression worsens. I think most people want to live in bright, attractive spaces but some can't quite manage to get there on their own, for whatever reason, and if they don't get some kind of help it just snowballs endlessly. I'm glad that these folks had someone to guide them in the right direction.
I agree with a lot of the comments saying a good old fashion clean can do wonders for a space, especially if you don’t have extra income to redo your space! Can’t tell you how many times as a kid I would rearrange my furniture while cleaning to make my space feel different or more inviting lol. Something I also do now! Thrifting or receiving things second hand are such blessings! I find I mostly get everything either 2nd hand or are handed something down because I find those items are normally of better quality then buying anything new now a days. Things just don’t seem to be made to last anymore and it’s sad. God bless you for the work you did for this couple!!
I live in a single room studio (converted garage) with my husband. My cleaning routine is usually to do the smallest chores daily, like sweeping cat litter, cleaning the litter box, dishes and throwing away trash and recycle. Bigger things like laundry, vacuuming the floor and under couch cushions, cleaning the bathroom, cleaning out the fridge and mopping I pick a day I’m not working and do those chores once a week. And then big chores like cleaning under the fridge and stove, moving furniture and vacuuming underneath them, cleaning the shower and cleaning stains off walls or base boards i do once a month. Twice a year we go through our possessions and goodwill the stuff we don’t need anymore. You’d be surprised how much stuff you don’t need to hold onto.
Fantastic job! Boy, do you understand the cycle of depression/not cleaning! I like your approach of covering up what looks bad with something pretty, and your acknowledgement that many people are limited in what they can spend, citing thrift stores and donations from friends as good sources of furniture and drapes. Loved your interaction with the kitty in the end, too. 😊
You’re right Mack- lighting is important. I notice a lot of led bulbs are a ‘cold blue’ light and it makes your house look like an operating theatre. If you look at the small print on bulbs and fluoro tubes they will say either ‘cool white’ or ‘warm white’. I recommend’warm white’ everywhere as light really does affect your mood.
I bought warm white bulbs and they're still horribly bright. Led is not meant to make your home cozy, but to save energy. One of the worst inventions ever.
@@lenom1289 I put in low wattage - seems to help. I also picked up a dozen old fashioned light bulbs from a charity store that fits my bedside lamp. Should see me out.
Love this video. UA-cam and social media is oversaturated with expensive homes and aesthetics, it's nice to see some representation and tips for people who live in perfectly normal-looking homes.
Slip covers, lamps, plants. My secret is two-fold: scent warmers and cookies. Cookies make the house smell amazing and inviting. How kind of you! Your cleaning probably stopped some of the depression, and saved a marriage
His secret is after cleaning and organizing, is a good layout and sourcing essentials on the cheap. The layout is so important though. I have tried to help friends who asked for my help but will insist their layout is completely intractable. His ugly messy desk must remain across from the entry. The TV must remain on the one wall and the sofa on the other so there is a basketball court in the middle of the room. It drives me crazy.
The issue with this is not all scent warmer scents are pet safe. Including candles as well ! And it still cost money to run the appliances so not easy on a budget
@@MeadowsMiniFarm Pointing out a candle and scent warmer aren't pet safe is gratuitous. They aren't "child safe" either- along with the oven, washing machine, blender, lamps, microwaves, toasters, staple gun, blow dryers, waffle irons, electric mixers, curling iron, popcorn poppers, and glue guns. It cost 50 cents a month to run a scent warmer 6 hours a day- easy on the budget.
My momma used to say..."We may be broke but we will be clean". Clean and organized goes a long way.
My mom said the same thing
My Mama said "We are less fortunate for now, never nasty"
My Mother used to say, "Where there's soap, there's hope."
Poor and being a honery are clearly two different things! And there's a lot of honerness in this home. Trash and candy wrappers everywhere. 😢
Same
This may be the only home-related video I’ve ever seen that actually acknowledges poor people exist.
Lazy people. Not all poor people are lazy!
This isn't poor...this is lazy and nasty
You all missed the point of what the original commenter is trying to say. He meant the guy who cleaned the house, didn't buy expensive stuff to put in the house to replace the old stuff. He uses things and methods that poor people can afford. No one was talking about the habits of the people living in the home. Also you both are being rude because what if the owners didn't have time to clean or what if they suffered from depression and couldn't get up to clean. At least they made the effort to get this guy to help them because they were having trouble doing it themselves. So next time, think before you speak!
So true no one intends to have things get out of hand . So many great ideas😊
@@earthangel8730 you call yourself "angel" but still cannot recognize depression etc. as decease? A human cannot "control" a decease with will or whatever , that is why it is decease, not a little-child fear of new uncertain things. Time to grow and start respect people around you.
Dude. I’m sitting here with a negative bank account and feeling like I’m being worked to the bone at my job. My home is messy and depressing and it’s difficult for me to relax even when I have time. This is so inspiring and I can’t wait to go home and clean.
Cleaning will make such a good change and you will be surprised with how nice the things you have are if you just clean and organize 💕 good luck
I know the feeling. The stress of a negative bank account is overwhelming and can often lead to hoarding because you don’t know if you’ll be able to replace something if you get rid of it.
One thing that really helped me was looking into minimalism. I’m not a minimalist now, but I’ve pushed myself to get rid of so much stuff and not replace it. When you see how few things some people have (on purpose, when they have lots money to spend), you realize how much stuff you actually have and how much easier life is when you have less stuff to manage.
I have been watch “Minimal Mom” because she went from messy and in debt to clean and debt free. It’s so inspiring when someone has been through it and made it out the other side.
Our family was in debt about $30,000 and going further into debt every month. It took a few years, but we’re now debt free and building up savings. This week we finally were able to do some renovations where the floorboards in our bathroom were rotting (from a leaky tub). We got the 70yr old tub replaced and the floor patched up. There are so many other fixes that need doing that we can finally get around to, but we will save for them first instead of paying for it on credit like we did in the past (though one of the previous expensive fixes was electrical and it was a must do since there had been a fire inside the wall and they had to rewire half the house, which was $16,000 of sudden unexpected expenses).
Yes absolutely will change your life.
I have to keep watching until it moves me to action
Cleaning your home and maybe even just "shopping from your home" (i.e. bringing items from other rooms in and so on) will make you feel 100% better about your environment that you come home to every day from your job that is wearing you down. This will probably create more motivation to do more ! God bless you.
My favorite part is how you rearranged the furniture with their relationship habits in mind, with a way to help them "see each other" more easily. That's so cute and extremely thoughtful.
I was raised as a "lace curtain Irish" where you put up lace curtains even if you're dirt poor. It lifts your spirits and makes your home look inviting. This video is so respectful of this family and makes the home look great.
I love lace curtains😊
And if you keep your eyes peeled, you can find them at thrift shops!
He helped them get what your family gave you.
Love lace curtains! I have them!
My floor to ceiling white lace curtains are still up after 30 years! I love them and they give a Country French vibe. Had no idea it was an Irish thing too. So sweet.
We grew up in places like this. Mum would tell us, " A good layer of clean covers a lot of evil." You fixed a lot of it by adding a good layer of clean. Well done. A real kindness.
How interesting. Your Mum is absolutely right. I have been even to poor houses, where many things were old and worn, but all I can remember is how clean, tidy and agreable they were.
My grandma used to say that being clean is free, and just because you're poor doesn't mean you need to be dirty
Pick up a little everyday.
nothing makes things look worse then durt and mess. nothing else but cleaning makes it look better
You have to make a n mess to clean up a mess
Taking stuff from one room to another cleaning 🙃 the place you just freed up and putting the🎉😢 stuff you 😮😅tool out back and n putting thee items back in the room one piece at a time allows u to clean and find a better spot for it.
thank you for addressing the sad dark room = depression = no motivation = room gets dirty = depression cycle because i am going through that right now and it just feels nice to be seen and for once, to not feel like im just a horrible goblin
Walk around barefoot it will help with grounding and making you feel better from inside out and vitamin D 😊
I heard walking barefoot in grass is very helpful.
Depression is definitely a spiral, and that is what makes it debilitating for so many people. My biggest tips are getting light (window, lamp, or outdoors) and speaking to yourself the way you would speak to a close friend with depression. I hope things improve for you and everyone who reads this ❤
I know what you mean babe! Been there, and luckily got through it. I have a family of 5, so when my depression was at it's all time darkest, my house got messy QUICK, which then of course made me feel even $hitttier.... If it's a ☀️ day, GO OUTSIDE, sit with your face in the sun, find a good relatable podcast or motivational video on TY and really take in what they are telling you. For podcasts, I recommend Mel Robbins and if you're a parent, After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings is a great podcast🫶🫶🫶 I know you can't see it now, but I promise no matter how long your tunnel is, there IS LIGHT AT THE END❤
😊 great suggestions @@clairer342
This is exactly what real people need to see. The ridiculous crap on HGTV is so unrealistic for normal people. Love this.
You're really a therapist who happens to include cleaning in your treatment plan. Wow, what a gift you gave this couple.
Yes, I too was very impressed
Agree !!! I feel so good after watching this video ! I would love to see the couple’s reaction walking in to their new home with minimal expense … but I can imagine the look on their faces ! ❤
This is the best description ever! I’d totally go to this kind of therapist as well-business idea for therapists out there. 😂
Honestly cleaning and mental health are so intertwined
This... exactly this
My grandma used to tell me that "Even nothing looks like something if you keep it clean". During struggle times, we children didn't know we were going thru anything because she kept things uncluttered and clean and full of love. That tidbit served me very well with my own children and now they are keeping her legacy alive as they go through challenges. Great work you are doing! And there are plenty of blessings coming to you for your charity to others!
Wow, she sounds amazing. I love her saying and I feel inspired by it. ❤
Exactly!! Take care of the things you own
Exactly! We were taught how to sweep the carpet because we didn't have a vacuum cleaner. Used grocery bags as trash bags cause trash bags cost too much. Maybe some other issues going on in this home. Poor does not equal letting trash pile up in your house. Praying for this family.
I wish I had a grandma 😢......the 2 that I did have ignored me......they ignored me, my sisters and my brother.
Never got birthday gifts from them.....much less Xmas gifts. 😢
They're deceased now, so is my mother and father. They are gone forever and many unanswered questions 😢
Smart grandma. Thank you for sharing as I am struggling to find work, I'm depressed , & the house is a mess on top of it. Making home look nice combined with other things might get me out of this and having fun again.
Doing this for a family, with this degree of care for their relationship and how they spend their time, as well as their mental health and finances, is an act of mercy. Too many people are living like this, buried in dark, squalid rooms, feeling like there’s no hope. I’ve been there, too.
I’m moved to tears to see you do this. What a profound gift.
Well said
👍🥰
Literally living this way right now. This house is so similar to mine. We got it when my husbands mom died and have just been dealing with it daily. Moved in, realized how much more was wrong than we thought. Then add the fact that stuff keeps breaking or gets old. Also we don’t have extra income. Hell I don’t even drive because I can’t afford a car. It’s an equation for hopelessness and depression. I’ve been looking for something like this for so long. These are things within my ability to do that will improve how I feel in my own home. ❤ 🏡 🏠
Jesus loves you 💕💖❤️
This is where I'm at now 😭 I was always obsessively clean & always organized... after I had my two girls, I can't keep up with anything anymore. I went from a happy, clean, put together kind of person so a depressed, anxious, totally hopeless, fk it kind of person because there's so much that needs done and I can't do any of it. I can't even think anymore because the mess makes my mind feel in constant chaos. Between working full time, having two little ones, and absolutely no help, I literally can't get anything done. I'd love to light a match and just let it all burn to start over.
When I was poor, I discovered that it makes more sense to frequent garage/estate sales and nicer thrift stores to buy great used furniture and accessories that people no longer need rather than buying new cheap pieces that are poor quality and will end up looking like trash. I also learned how to refinish and recover furniture as well as making my own needlework pillows and pictures. People don’t want to waste their money improving someone else’s property but I saw it as an opportunity to learn new skills and saved money by buying materials on clearance.
💙💙💙💙💙💙
Garage sales and sometimes estate sales can be a very inexpensive way to update. Most of my furniture is from estate sales. My DIL found a piece of my Waterford crystal at a garage sale for $15. It retailed for over $100.
You opened this paragraph with "WHEN I was poor..."
How are you no longer poor? I'm not trying to be nosy, but most people that are frugal/ poor were raised that way. And often, we rarely make it to lower middle class status!
Kinda like you don't know what you're missing. One can be financially stable yet technically poor. I find that it builds character & makes you take care of your things you own.
I have always appreciated the small things that life has to offer. Meanwhile, I personally know a dozen successful people who are the most miserable people I know. Of course they will not admit such misery out loud. There is never enough money in the bank, they work tremendously hours & have many bad addictions like alcoholism, perversion, adultery, drugs, tax evasion...etc. I feel that they never learned to be satisfied with less.
Not everyone is like this, yet it does often happen. I just wanna pay my bills on time & for once, not worry about my child's up coming bday... 😊
I'm not poor, far from rich, but I am extremely thrifty/frugal and I believe in getting more use out of discarded furniture and housewares. My entire house (shared with two others) is furnished and decorated with family hand-me-downs, curbside finds and thrifted/secondhand bargains. I have furniture and housewares from the 1920s-1970s. It's beautiful and made to last. All my friends are proud to be thrifters. I am 69 years old and I've been thrifting since the 1970s.
@@KaleidoscopicsGetting help is difficult when you're exhausted! Hope you find a solution 🫂
I like the way you kept their home looking like their home. The change was subtle, yet not so drastic that they wouldn’t feel like they were not in the same home.
Yes! Still liveable and like the same space but much easier to manage and more inviting
I 💯 would have gotten rid of posters or re hung art…. But it actually looked ok in the end and obvs the posters have meaning for the couple living there
It’s a home Makeover. It’s SUPPOSED TO look DIFFERENT 😉👍🏽
@@lightwarrior432but Mrsandypeterson has made a valid point by pointing out that the homemake over had still embraced the owner’s style - previously as a foster mother , l have helped several single young mothers recreate their homes from often a state of complete chaos - it’s very easy to inadvertently make it your style instead of embracing their vision of home….that was something l had to learn myself.
The changes were not subtle, that place was a pig sty.
As a fellow broke person, i noticed a lot of the bad spots in this were paint related. Asking people for their leftover paint is a great free option. There is also a discount spot at most paint places with full cans that have been returned or didn't turn out the way the customer wanted. Fresh paint goes a long way to brightening a space
@ameliakat9982 No, the walls were mouldy and needed filling and prepping and the flooring cracked and ripped. Have to fix walls before you paint or it just flakes right off.
people ALWAYS have leftover paint! even more so than curtains ime!
This would be less of a long-term solution, but even going to Walmart and spending like 3 or 4 bucks on cheap acrylic paint can help touch up the patchy parts!
In my city they have a hazardous waste program at the city dump where you can bring leftover paint and cleaning products and pesticides instead of dumping it in storm drains or landfill. Whatever is still usable goes into a free paint room and you can take any of it. I picked up multiple cans of leftover white and off-white paint (the most common color), mixed them all together and it was enough to paint my whole hallway including the ceiling. There won't always be enough of any one color to do a whole room but you just mix up a franken-color and you have plenty. It's a win/win because you paint your room for free and keep hazardous waste out of the environment.
@@lestrangedoh wow, that's awesome!
The lights did SOOOOO much. As a trailer park kid, who at one point in my life had bare plywood covering a hole separating inside from outside, this was so refreshing. Poor people deserve to have nice homes too. I’m VERY blessed to not be there anymore but I will always remember what that it’s like. Thank you for your wisdom, video, and work.
Just because you are poor doesn’t mean you have to be dirty, messy and unorganized. All that junk and trash made that place looked terrible and depressing…
this is special for me b/c despite how difficult their life is, they have their cat house, cat food stocked and even a little wee box for sweet cat to enjoy. that says a lot about humans, that despite the struggle, they care for those who depend on them. you can see how exhausted they may be from the lack of cleaning and the clutter. bless you for helping this home. our home has to be our sanctuary from this awful world. so it really truly means so much!
👏🏻👏🏻
That’s what I thought, the cat looks well taken care of
❤❤❤
Sorry, I dont see this as romantic. These people cannot even take proper care of themselves, they should not have a pet. When the cat gets sick, they will not have the means to respond to a vet emergency.
@daryutube1 Valid concern, but you don't know that. When I was living on my own in my 20s, I always had a paid off credit card just in case a vet bill or car repair was needed. I always put my animals first. Maybe this was a stray cat in need that they took and are taking better care of it than if it was out on it's own. There are plenty of people with financial means to take care of their animals that don't.
As a certified broke person, one of my favorite tricks is fabric shower curtains. They are often wider and longer than standard window panels, and much cheaper. I've also used them to cover couches and tables. I really like this style of video, so I hope you do more.
Fabric shower curtains are so pretty.
Yes it is crazy how much cheaper they can be than curtains! Great tip to share. ❤
I've also used shower curtains for the same reasons. When I'm redecorating the bathrooms in a home, an extra matching shower curtain allows me to make curtains for the window and a curtain for a cabinet missing a door.
Fabric shower curtains! What a great idea. Thank you 😊
I had never even thought of that. Great idea!
That's a huge difference -- it went from run-down to just lived-in, and the furniture arrangement was brilliant. It looks like a cozy, relaxing place to come home to now.
Did you give that cat some catnip? 😳😂👍
Just takes a little imagination. Very smart. 🫶🏻cool cats 🐈⬛ 🐈 🐱
All I can say is: WOW-WOW what a difference. I’m in IN, can’t wait till you can travel, I’m a Senior and certainly could use your expertise.
Nice job!
Love the change AND the cloth behind the shoe rack still drives me crazy. 😊
.
A strategically placed wastebasket would help too. If I don’t have a place to toss, I set it down and so it begins.
owning several small wastebaskets from $1.25 tree has SAVED my life. When guests come over I use the "nice" target bags for them
@@rogoznicafc9672 > I state how I have a hard time keeping a space tidy
> Give solution that helps me keep my home clean
> "Why don't you just keep your place clean?"
I love this real approach. I grew up in poverty, and know all too well the depressing loop that these types of environments create. This is real motivation for people - not the typical shiny, expensive, unobtainable “improve your home!” fluff that social media is filled with.
It's so refreshing to see a realistic cleaning video. Regular people don't have money to completely re-do their kitchen or replace all of their furniture. But a few nice touches and organization can go such a long way. Thank you!
That's what I said.
Yes! I have helped my friend redo a couple of her places over the years, most being in the “poverty” level. I painted for her and am excellent at trim work. I always say if you are going to paint, do it right, make sure the lines are clean and nice even if you’re painting over shitty walls or paneling or whatever. That little detail goes so far. Just replacing a couple floor tiles that are missing or retacking carpeting, replacing rusted vent covers and light switch covers. That little stuff is so cheap. And goes so far in terms of aesthetic when you are broke. I’ve used fabric table cloths to turn into curtains for like $2 before.
This is how my mom used to "fancy up" our poor when I was growing up. She saved small amounts of money each pay to buy things at yard sales or discount bins. Its amazing how a little here and there raises the spirits. I never knew how poor we actually were. I just thought she really loved beans and potatoes.
Bless her heart!! I grow up broke in a house with chipped paint and small cold bathroom but if you see the way my momma cleaned that house and arranged that living room you’ll be amazed. I’m 34 now, doing well and got myself a nice appartement and at the end of each weekend cleaning I tell myself the same thing : Not as clean and cosy as my mom’s house growing up. I guess she knew how to give that house a soul.
❤
I love beans and potatoes... but that may be because I grew up on them, too. My dad made all sorts of soups with them. Big pots of sustaining food to fill up all those growing brothers of mine.
The constant potatoes was okay. But I made it a point to forget about those damn beans. Then my dad started spicing them up with hot dogs. 😂 If only I could follow in his footsteps. It wasn't until I settled his estate I learned the most money he ever earned from his sunrise to sunset labor until his death at 85 years old was less than $700 a month. To put that into perspective that doesn't cover my car payment...We were loved, happy and never missed a meal. 🙏 God looked over us and provided for us. It just wasn't that bad. 🙏
@@joycebruce7452 God bless him and your Mom. It must have been hard and sometimes scary for them but they didn’t let it cast shadows on your childhood - sounds like they had their priorities right, much respect to them both!
Even $300 isn't that much to re do an entire living room. That's incredible, and doable for many of us. Thank you so much for this video and making us feel like we don't have to have an Instagram perfect home for us to enjoy our space
HGTV needs to have a show or two like this - helpful for people.
There’s a huge difference between this and Hoarders.
True, a show without the sensationalism and just pure helping and tips @@jdbrock2087
Nah, cause there is no drama nor $$$ in it for HGTV.
IIRC, this used to be the original HGTV lineup- tons of shows about doing DIY projects for cheap. I remember a show where they had to remodel a room for no more than $500, so it was basically just cleaning, reorganizing the room and upcycling things by painting or whatnot. It was much less wasteful than the current version where they just toss away perfectly good things. I noticed the couch in this video is a Stickley, which is a pretty high end American brand that sells for $$$ on vintage sites. There is something to say about having old pieces mixed in with newer stuff. I also feel like these shows are more practical for the average viewer than the 6000th flipping show.
TV shows places girl wealthier people ,being rearranged with e pending fancy stuff.,We,the poor,are expendable 😊
I never clicked so fast on a video. We’re bombarded with modern “Instagram” apartments , with everything from West Elm and Article. Stainless steel appliances. It’s great to remember not everyone lives like that and it’s no shame in creating a clean homey environment even if you have no money.
One of the best things I think you can do is to try to be as uniform as possible. Raggedy, mix match furniture, random tables and shelves make the room look even more junky and cheap. I love these hacks. Appreciated.
Hey now....mix matched furniture and random stuff arranged well may just need a new rug to pull everything together. Or maybe a change in wall art, set of curtains, or throw pillows can make all the difference!
@@SneekySecretsI think some people are naturally imaginative/ creative and can make anything work - whereas some really need help.
I love upscaling for example, but many of my friends like brand new because of lack of imagination.
I always tell my kiddo that there are 8 billion people in this world, data shows that most live like this to some degree, or certainly not HGTV level lifestyle. More vids like this are def needed, true!
If you get your furniture from the curb, painting it all one color makes it match instantly! Plus, it’s cheaper to buy a gallon of paint than a dozen miscellaneous quarts.
Any good furniture can look good in a clean space with good placement and order
I'm 70 now, but years ago I was a single mother with 2 small children. Being clean, tidy and organised goes a long way. Thrift shopping is essential. The main thing is to not let it get out of hand, because it becomes ever harder to catch up.
Same here, was a single mom of 3 and keeping it clean to start with helps a ton because nobody wants to come home after work and dinner and homework then deal with a mess! If you have children, have them pitch in and help. They need to be taught how to clean their messes up and to have chores. And I didn't have the money to give my children allowance for the chores either after my divorce but the parks and other free rewards worked GREAT! And always put God first. He will see you through!💖🙏
You sound like a smart sensible woman, Jane!! I hope I grow up to be like you!! Wish we could have a coffee and go thrifting
- a mom in her 30s
I don’t think being poor necessarily means not keeping a house clean & tidy - a bit of laziness creeping in!!
As i try to improve my home and reduce visual clutter without money to spend on it, here are my go to tips : use good shape cardboard boxes to hid things in open shelves (push the "wings" inside it, paint it in white or black, put everything in it and put it back on the shelves. Easier for the eyes), put or throw away decor and knick knacks (too much to clean and hard on the eye, you want an easier home to live with), hide with simple black or white curtains, put thrifted mirrors to add light. That is what i've found so far
Thanks for the cardboard tip!! Never thought of that. Love it!
As a psych major, and having worked in the mental health field, having a clean, beautiful space is SO important. You are doing great things for people. Plus you’re pretty funny! Thanks so much
but if you're too depressed to throw your trash away the cycle will continue until you get help and therapy for the depression and bad habits.
@@DonaBolognaof course this is true. Help and resolving the root of the problem are both so important! I don’t think a space being clean can do that on its own. But as someone who currently can’t afford the more thorough mental health treatment I need, brightening up my home so that I at least have that to look forward to/one space I feel as comfortable as possible in has saved me. If it can help me get through a few days or weeks without exacerbating the issue, I’m grateful!! 😊
I wonder how long it will stay like that 🙄
Brilliant
It's crazy how the mind get reflected on the environment around you
I suffer from bipolar disorder with debilitating depressive episodes. Housework is usually an overwhelming process. This video inspired me to do the dishes and clean the countertop. It might not seem like much to most people, but it’s a big deal for me most of the time. Thank you for your understanding and compassion toward those of us that silently struggle to perform the smallest tasks to keep our homes livable. ❤
A number of years ago, I made a deal with myself that I did my dishes before I went to bed each night, no matter how tired I was. I have not broken my promise to myself and it's amazing how much better I feel walking into the kitchen each morning. It takes commitment, but it's worth it.
U have demons
They love dry places
And they do not like clean places
Because if things are clean, they can easily be seen
U do not need meds, or doctors or therapy
U need prayer and deliverance
Never give a demon power over your life ♥️🙏
@@anjalE30 learn to spell and keep your opinions to yourself.
@@2HennaHands Learn to recognize truth - rather than opinions
Your mind is bound - your heart is cold
and because of such - u will perish
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
@@2HennaHands Useless to argue with a theist.
My mom grew right after the great depression and had an outhouse. Her dad was a coal miner and they were very, very poor. She was a clean freak and once said, "You can be poor, but it doesn't mean you have to be dirty." And very refreshing for someone to say that some (a lot) of us don't have an extra $300.00 just lyin' around! Can't remember the last time I had an extra $300.00 burnin' a hole in my pocket. Oh yeah I do....NEVER. Thanks for this!
Ur mom is right. There's a difference between being poor n being nasty/lazy. Plz tell me that garbage was put under the cushions for dramatic effect.
My grandmother said the same thing: "You can afford 11 cents for a can of Comet!" She had no patience for the poor=slovenly crowd.
it's such a shame that people with the hardest jobs ever used to live in poverty. the working poor. did anybody read the book "Germinal"?
My grandma used to get up super early in the morning, made the bed (sic! with pretty 'never-slept-in'- ornamental cushions and rugs), dusted the house, cleaned the windows and floors, got her grandchild up, into school, got to work and worked the 2 large gardens with fruit, vegetables and a ton of flowers in the evenings - nobody in our family can recreate what she had done nor knows how she did it all her life, it's a marvel...
@@SaraMKay You are not kidding. I am also a historian, by education and profession, and I am endlessly in awe of what some of our ancestors did on a daily basis. It boggles the mind!
Oh my gosh! We had an outhouse too. Its one of the highlights of my childhood memories. Not then though. It was scary. 🙂 A good way to makeover with very limited funds was wallpaper, paint and rearranging furniture. Turning some furnitue into something else - add TV to dresser. 🙂
This is the most respectful house cleaning I've ever seen. You are caring of their personal items and only speaking about what kind of cleaning you're doing and why. This was extremely practical and you can truly feel how heartfelt you went into this.
I grew up like this, and the level of empathy and understanding you exhibit is so validating and humanizing.
Never had someone come into my feed that I needed more than you and this video. I am sitting here disabled, poor, and sick with my favorite holiday less than 3 weeks away. You have given me ideas and hope that in just a few days I can transform my home into exactly how I want it to be this Christmas. Thank you. And what you have done for your neighbors was incredible. I've subscribed and am about to binge on your content.❤❤❤
I feel your pain! I have autoimmune diseases that make me SO TIRED AND ACHY! It’s a struggle to get up at all. I think watching these videos could help me. I hate living in clutter and mess 😮It’s depressing. I just found this channel and hope I can bring myself to get up and do something! 💜
@@TheK7aloha thank you for such a nice reply!! It really felt special 🥰. Have a lovely weekend and a very happy holiday season.
@78twood yes...autoimmune issues as well! Having bad joints really puts a damper on the ability to clean. I haven't been able to get much done, but listening to this man and knowing he gets "it" and is so compassionate is comforting. I hope things get better for you.🩷
Same here. Just got myself a gigantic jar of HOPE!
❤❤❤❤ Much love to you!! Merry Christmas!! 🎄
One of the few actually relevant, real-life UA-cam videos I've seen. How to take what you have and make it look and feel better. Minus the Pinterest BS, the Instagram BS, and all that other BS that only applies to rich people & feels designed to make the rest of us feel like crap. This is useful advice, thank you.
Agreed @melindakeeley1582 Media (all, except for this gentlemen's type show) put the bar to be met so high that many give up before getting started. And for good reason. Media show fake perfection which is impossible for the average family.....across the board. Thus, the descent of even trying.
This amazing comment, on one of the greatest videos on UA-cam!! Thank you for bringing this to many people attention!
❤ best video iv seen on you tube not fake not picture really life str8 up shower curtain god idea 💡is ok but leting ☀sunlight brings an feel 😊
Omg my sentiments exactly… most of my family is like that too … so much emphasis on looking plush and expressive instead of comfy and lived in.
HGTV used to have a show called Design ReMix ( I think) where they'd just reorganize and reconfigure your piece using 99% of the stuff you already have. loved to see things just revamped and not only all new stuff
Broke person here: bought a gallon of paint at Lowe's for $15. Was a struggle to make time to do it but was an amazing change and totally worth it
tsp - trisodium phosphate. granular white powder sold in pint and two-pint milk containers. people think spic and span or pine sol are good cleaners they should try this shit. i'm a broke-ish person and instead of buying paint for my slumlord's place i washed his shit brown walls. brown? with some other color(s) mixed in, it's very... ugh.
after the walls were washed it doesn't look half as dingy (1 bdrm apt) as it did. cleanliness and order without clutter help keep one sane.
The way you go through each thing - read each piece of mail so you don't throw out important ones, and go through caps to find coins - it's honestly making me choke up a little. Whenever my mental health is in a bad space and is reflected in my house, I'm so scared to ask for help because even if my things are not in their best shape, I still care about them (and can't afford to replace them). The way you care is beautiful and the world needs more of that!
Also noticed that. How carrying he is to everything in that house. That's such a respect I have never seen before in the videos like this. Amazing 👏
👍👍👍
What product do you use to clean in the kitchen
I love how you created space for both of them to do their own thing in the same room. That one is soooooo important.
Yes, that was VERY THOUGHTFUL.
This was a solid video, it’s more realistic than all those home interior design influencers out there 😂
Back in the 90s there was a like "surprise! We're going to redo a room in your house and one in the neighbors!" One of the designers glued hay to the walls in a house w a toddler. Such an epic failure and disrespect to the homeowners. I still can't get over it. Lol😅
@@TheTrishalynTrading Spaces! They did some ridiculous transformations and DIY’s. 😅
@@TheTrishalynI remember seeing that show trading spaces. It was a disaster!
My Grandmother-in-law said "We might be poor but we don't have to be nasty".
@@HosCreates that's the one! Some weren't bad but the ones that went off, really did.
Fantastic job! The curtains did it for sure! Plus the clean up. I’ve been poor most of my life but I always been clean and found ways to make my home look better by finding things at garage sales and thrift stores. Your kindness is everything ❤
I've been in pain and in a depressive rut for months, I've been slacking on cleaning. This has helped give me a spark of motivation. As much as I love watching people clean big, beautiful homes, they aren't really relatable to my current living situation. Thank you so much for this.
me too! I once was a Pro Cleaner even...just kinda got really bogged down for a long time, and this will certainly help my broke azz get goin again!
Random internet stranger hug coming your way.
those are great, actually...ty!@@zannaatje
Ditto!
"You're stronger than you think"! One smile every day will help ease your depression.
I love how you didn’t just give them a beautiful place to live, but you completely understood the mental cycle living like that entails. Issues with my physical health took a toll on my standards for the home I wanted to keep and raise my children in. In turn that caused me such mental anguish and self loathing, that I felt and sometimes still feel hopeless to overcome and reset my life.
Seeing someone like you lives in this world that gives of yourself to better the lives of others makes me smile! I’m looking forward to enjoying more of your videos and hopefully finding myself motivated enough to find an off-ramp on my circular driveway of life! 😂👍🙏
@kikilee123 hi. I'm in the same situation as you bc of my progrogressively messy house due to accumulated health conditions, which have undermined my best plans & attempts to put things bk in order. You are so correct in pointing out the mental-pain from living in a very disorderly house. Most pple either wouldn't understand that or , they might not acknowledge thats its real & that its not a laziness issue, it's a physical disability issue. Trying to regain some mobility so I can do the work that's needed.. Thank you -- you've inspired me bc now I know I'm not alone in this situation & I can stop beating myself up. I wish for you the same as I wish for myself : improved health. 😊 Merry & Blessed Christmas to you & yours from NYC
@kikilee123 what state do you live in?
@@salgaltrixie8265 - you're not lazy, and you're not doing anything wrong. houses often reflect the amount of care we are able to give them but that doesnt mean you're doing a bad job, just that you don't have a lot of time and energy left over to put into your house. Being disabled takes up a lot of physical and mental space in your life - of course your home reflects that! As scary (and embarassing) as it can be, people love to feel useful, so maybe it would be worth reaching out to a friend/family member to come and help you dig out? You could even find a "chore" to swap if asking for help makes you feel too awkward (like calling to make some appointments they've been putting off or helping them fill out job applications or something.) You deserve to live in a clean and safe space, even if it's not something you're able to do on your own right now
Thanks for explaining, I often catch myself judging without fully understanding. Everyone feels down from time to time, but the majority of us (at least I hope) as a safety net and enough stability to do the basics. So it's hard to really understand what a depression feels like and that's not something you recover from by just changing your mindset
Relatable. I'm struggling. I cry sometimes cuz I wish I could do more. But I can say my home is never gross or funky
Proof that even if a home is humble, if it's clean and straightened up, it can be quite comfortable. Looks great and I'm sure the residents were thrilled.
Your empathy brought me to tears. No condescending tone, no shame. Just patience, understanding, and helpfulness. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE HUMAN 😭😭😭🩷
Oh yeah. Since the first video I watched - it has been very entertaining, but with such humbleness and empathy for the person(s) whose house he's cleaning.
Wonderful
What Jesus would do. 😉👍🏼👍🏼🙏🏼🤍
Also, you make the link between depression and loss of motivation. Your service prolly had the same impact as 6 months of antidepressants. Yes what Jesus would do❤
Ohh I also cried...he is such a great soul!
I love that this content shows that no matter how little you think you have, you can make it look so much better. When your home is clean and tidy, it has a really positive impact on your mental health. If you are lacking in motivation partly fueled by your home being untidy, just watch a couple of motivational videos like this. But not too many, otherwise you ain't getting off that couch. Much respect to you guys for taking the time to create this content. It will only do good things for people, who may otherwise continue to feel unhappy in their homes.
Im almost in tears. Ive only ever lived in messy or falling apart environments growing up. In my 20s I moved away, started living in places that were nicer and it was so much easier to keep them clean. I think a lot of it had to do with motivation: you dont feel overwhelmed by the mess, the mess keeps you confined to one spot, like you dont want to move around or even have to look at it.
I came back to the dairy I grew up on (basically all of my family lives on this dairy) and it pains me to see the conditions of their houses. I want so badly to change the environment for them and seeing this channel, seeing how you want to help people, its making me cry a little. My heart is so full sir, you're a beautiful soul.
TLDR: Your expressions of empathy and kind sentiments about the owners of the homes you clean have impacted my life so personally, and its such a breath of fresh air considering how many people bullied me for being a messy b!tch. You helped me find a job, and I'm even up for a promotion. THANK YOU, so SO much. (I'm not crying, you are. So suck it.)
I really appreciate how you speak about people who have messy or hoarder homes. Especially when you talk about the cycle of things getting messy, feeling overwhelmed, not cleaning because you're overwhelmed and then it gets dirtier and then you get more overwhelmed.
I was ridiculed by my family, friends, roommates, and partners for my entire life about how messy, dirty, and hoarder-y I was. I never /wanted/ to live like that, but with (then) undiagnosed ADHD, my anxiety, depression, and general trauma I experienced growing up, I didn't have the skills to keep up with my room. I'd BLAST THROUGH 'cleaning' it once every few months, and still feel so overwhelmed about sorting all my tiny trinkets and knickknacks that I'd just stuff them in boxes in my closet and under my bed. I just cleaned out the LAST box of those trinkets last month....only took me 5 years....
It was stressful as a kid to get in trouble for being messy when no one taught me how to /be/ clean or how to clean, but it was worse when I was an adult and people didn't give me any kind of lax on it, they ONLY saw it as disgusting. Roommates would see me start cleaning and then get distracted, overwhelmed, or just freeze up and they'd get UPSET with me and hold resentment.
All the while, I was beating my self up in my brain more than anyone else ever could. I called my self the worst names for being so gross, convinced my self I didn't deserve nice things, I didn't deserve a nice living space because I couldn't do it my self.
It wasn't until I took the gamble of quitting my job without another lined up so I could spend 2 months just focusing on myself that I actually began to see improvements. I learned how to clean efficiently by watching Aurikaterina and then I found your videos which provided good entertainment and more cleaning tips and such amazing support.
I ended up challenging myself and I applied for professional cleaner positions. And I got hired, like instantly. I've been working that job for about 2 months now, and they've offered me their companies Trainer position because of the quality and consistency of my cleans and how I can assess what does and doesn't need to be cleaned at this time or next visit.
Your kind sentiments in your videos really impacted me, it changed my life and has changed some of the self-perceptions that I had. I'm sure there are lots of people who watch these videos and kind of separate the state of the house from the state of the individual, or just try to project blame or shame onto them, but there are also people who are watching these videos and learning life skills, and learning that they aren't broken, worthless, or wrong just because this is one of the 'first world problems' that they have.
Thank you so much for watching every single cleaning video on youtube so that you had to go and make your own channel for more hoarding-cleans content XD
You've changed my life.
AND I WAS WATCHING THIS ON MY TV WHEN I THOUGHT OF TYPING THIS. I literally got up and pulled out my laptop because I was so moved by the feelings of appreciation.
@teentitansrock88, I am so proud of you, how you have taken charge of your life, and made it better! You are an inspiration to all of us with similar if not the same issues.
And of course thanks to Mack for his compassionate non-judgmental attitude.
So happy for you. Well done! 😊
So much of your story resonated with me. I remember as a child my mom tell me to clean my room, I had way too much stuff, and I'd take everything out of my closet to organize and I'd get in trouble for my room being messier. I had the concept but not the guidence. Fast forward got married but broke=clean house! When we both worked full time=more stuff and I'd get overwhelmed trying to sort not only thru my stuff but my husband's things. Its been predominantly put on me and I still struggle. During all this certain ppl made me feel if my home wasn't perfect then I'm a failure. What's funny is looking back my home was in a better place vs 10 yrs ago!
Now I'm struggling with home improvement projects and trying to get rid of the crap! It's hard when you have the, I want to, but you don't have the support and/or skills to put the puzzle pieces in place.
I could really use prayer/good energy. We want to sell our home but it needs packing and fixing up and the facilitating is put on me!
Well done, go you 😊. And isn't it funny how people being non-judgemental and showing empathy and patience works to get you beginning to move forward, when all the shaming and pushing and attitude has just had you pushing a big rock up a hill and beating yourself up when you can't keep it there and everything just gets worse. A supportive attitude goes a long way. These guys are changing lives and helping us get things happening. I'm so pleased for you (and others that I might not get to respond to) that you're turning things around.
Wow. This is a great way of showing how even if you’re broke, you can still have a sense of pride and dignity in your home with a little effort. It’s amazing how you have that magic touch to make things cozy again. Love this channel!
We bought our 104 yr old farm house a lil over a year ago. I live on disability plus work part time and I have delt with being poor all my adult life. Some may think I'm weird for saying this but I find that being this way makes me appreciate the things I do have and helps me me creative when decorating my house. I love second hand stores, dollar tree, clearance sections when I can afford to go. Two of our local family dollar stores closed and I found fabric shower curtains for next to nothing to fit both my big picture windows and after painting my dining room and my front room make it look amazing. I took shower curtain hooks from Wal-Mart and wrapped them in twine to hide what they really were. Thank you for sharing how you transformed you home and stating how having little to no money doesn't mean that you still can't have a nice home.
Would love to see those posters gone. Look messy and uninviting. Maybe later when you find something more appropriate for a living room, in a garage sale
Sounds like you're more creative than I ever will be.
Even the artwork on the walls, that looked so chaotic before, now looks actually so in order and tidy. You didn't even touch it, but the rest of the room makes it look like it. Very impressive!!
That's so true! I was impressed after the fact!
I love that you show you don't need a bunch of expensive items to have a clean and tidy home. People with low income deserve to live in a clean environment. Thank you for what you do and for your sense of humor 🤣
No one can and should guarantee you a clean environment to live in if you yourself don't take care of it.
@@Kalergi_Plan_Accelerationistyou must’ve failed all your reading comprehension classes in school
@@user-yl2so8db5t U should read it again...
"People with low income deserve to live in a clean environment. "
Having clean place isnt something "you should have" its something u works towards...
There is no excuse for not keeping a clean house. Wash your pots, put them away. Put your empty beer cans in the recycling. Hang your clothes up, don't just dump them on the floor. These actions cost nothing. Stop using "being poor" as an excuse
@ElsieJoy39 think about it this way: if you’re poor, you often have to work longer hours to make ends meet (less time/energy to clean), and you can’t hire help to make your space nicer, like painters, carpenters or cleaners. Also, being broke can cause a lot of anxiety and even depression, which makes it difficult to find the motivation to clean. Another thing is physical disability. Older people or people with disabilities can’t bend over or lift things a lot of the time, making them unable to do a lot of basic cleaning/upkeep tasks. If you think about it, there are plenty of reasons why it may be harder or impossible for some people to keep their space clean.
I have been broke so many times in my life because I was too sick to work. I had trouble coming up with enough money for vitamins and food and never was able to afford a computer, TV, and speakers. My furniture was my old bedroom furniture and pressed wood cubes. Blinds, no curtains, because the blinds came with the house. Cleaning the place and sprucing up what you can for friends is a real kindness. It interrupts the cycle of depression and the feel of being overwhelmed. It is wonderful to know that someone cares enough about you to do that!
Absolutely!!
@thurayya8905 my I'll friend gets free computers, TVs furniture from rubbish skips or trash days. Don't judge its a "no cash to purchase fancy decor?" video not a "who is the poorest" competition 😂😂
8:01... so much light coming in when the door was opened!
Amen
This has got me up off my butt. My family left. For right days. I have 2 small boys and a husband. I've been alone already for FOUR days and I've been rolling in my own misery. This video finally I spired me to get UP and do something that matters. You've no idea what you've done. Thank you so very much.
Gotta say this again, I know video is on high speed, but that little black cat rolling and exposing his belly to you speaks volumes!!! You’re such a beautiful soul that pets feel so free and trusting around you. That kitty is thrilled to have its house cleaned ❤
Have to edit and add: MY FAVORITE VIDEO TO DATE!!! Excellent job gentlemen.
Love what you did my husband never done anything with our home he would sit watch me wallpaper paint put curtains up along wee still together 50 yes my back done cant get round shops l so proud my two sons help me now
I saw two cats when he was vacuuming. 💕
My cats LOVE it when I’ve got a room cleaned up. They do zoomies all over.
lol! That kitty was in heat.
👏🏼 👏🏼👏🏼 good job
Small curtain tip : put the first eyelet on the outside of the rod past the wall hooks.This secures the curtain and it pulls it out further allowing more light in and makes
the window a few inches bigger with more light coming and it also still hides the trim problem.
I also thought the kitchen curtain was so long it might have been better to attach one rod bracket to the actual countertop then get a different rod bracket that could be attached to the wall. Might have pulled it up enough?
love this. an actual life hack.
I do this too!
Also, with the drapes fall on the floor, a good 3 to 4 inches it looks better that way.
@@SUZSMITH. I know a lot of people do that but I’m not a fan. Change my mind 😂😂
I'm not sure how your video made it onto my suggestions, but I'm so glad it did and thank you for making it. After losing my mom unexpectedly in 2020 and dealing with the pandemic, my house fell apart right along with me. It's been something I've been feeling extra embarrassed about because I have two cleaning jobs, but yet live in an overwhelmingly messy home myself. I haven't had company over since 2019 and with the depression beginning to lift, I wanted to make it a priority to get my home clean enough for company in 2024. After watching this video it gave me motivation and inspiration to finish my living room and dining room. May not seem like much to most people, but it was a huge accomplishment. You have another subscriber!
Congratulations. It is an enormous accomplishment. This will seem odd, but even watching the videos of one of the guys who does lawn mowing (I think it is SB mowing?) and yard makeovers totally motivates me to clear out things that don't belong in my space. He does run down places for people in need mostly too. I'm not too interested in hoarding situations, because that's not my issue, but average messy places being transformed without much expense really motivates me. But back to the point, you should be pleased with what you've accomplished and how you've changed your own situation! :-)
If you lived in the UK, I would have come out to give you a hand. I know the feeling when self neglect is a form of grieving in itself. There's a reason why in the Bible they describe grieving people pouring ash on their heads and covering themselves in sacs. Grief does that to a person's insides.
congratulations on your achievements, and my sincerest condolences for your loss. i also work a cleaning job, and my place is a disaster too. it makes sense to me, in a way. we spend all day cleaning, so why would we want to go home and do even more of it, for free? not to mention that sanitation jobs are physical labour, and if you're anything like me, by the end of the day i've got no energy left. props to you, though! wishing you all the best from here on out! i'm actually moving out at the end of the month, so hopefully it'll be a good chance to get myself back on track and make the new place a decent one to live in
It sounds like a huge achievement to me! Well done. I'm sorry for your loss.
I did housekeeping for 12yrs. Believe me! I know after a full day of cleaning up after everyone else's azzes the last thing u wanna do is come home and clean ur own house. Ironic really. I'd come home every day and say to myself "I wish someone would come clean my house🙄"
As someone who struggles with depression, my place can get this way VERY easily. It's a very hard cycle to break. Thank you for the great tips! I really appreciated that you approached this with zero judgement, only the desire to help out another person.
This one made me teary. Thank you for treating these folks with such dignity and care.
I don't know what I love more, the pitter-patter of your feeties in fast-mo, OR the conversations in fast-mo. It's amazing how much CLEAN can make a difference! You guys did a fantastic job!
I love the chipmunk voices. It has been a long week and this cheered me right up.
Great video. You have really helped them. Depression is a silent life killer. And people shaming instead of helping doesn't help. Take care.❤❤❤
AMEN!!!!!
You are 100% right about this issue!
Depression causes clutter, and clutter deepens the depression. Music and lighting definitely picks up spirits. Bless all those struggling as I do. Thanks for an awesome video.😊
Most places can look okay just by being kept clean. Thanks for doing the work you do.
This is the first time I’ve ever seen one of your videos, and the thing that struck me the most is how you kept talking about that there’s ALWAYS something positive that can be done. What wonderful people you are.
i liked the conversation between the air vent and the redirector
That was my fav. Part.
That’s what made me hit the sub button
😂💯
I love seeing little insights into these people's lives, like the guitar and the posters and the console. Those make it seem like they're fun people to be around and I hope they can form more happy memories because of what you've done for them.
Such an improvement! (It makes me seriously want to thin out the posters, though.) It’s so true that simply cleaning up makes everything look exponentially better and you can usually make things look even better using what you already have. My mom was the queen of this concept. Everything we owned was a hand me down or garage sale/thrift find. She would refresh everything seasonally by rearranging the furniture and using things in different ways. She kept everything tidy and people always thought our home was beautiful.
The posters could be hiding holes or spots on the wall…who knows…
Yes, a clean and well arranged space just invites you in to sit and stay awhile!
Also, framing posters really elevates the look.
My mom was raised with wealth but we certainly didn’t have extra growing up. She taught herself to make curtains, refinish and reupholster furniture, and to always tidy up. Our house was clean and comfortable. It was so gratifying to see her be able to purchase furniture new when she got older.
We had new carpet installed in our family room last week, EVERYTHING had to be taken out. We moved the furniture around when putting stuff back in and boy did it make a huge difference, feels like a new room. 👍🏻👍🏻
I have to say this is my favorite video it shows empathy for those who need it and no judgemental view or expressions of any kind . I wish more people like you existed. I bet these people were eternally greatful .
Yo thanks dude. I just got motivated to do all my dishes and now I’m off to vacuum out my couch. As a start. I love that you are showing a real messy house because this is so common. People think a house getting this bad is rare. No. It is not. It’s really not. So many reasons why our house gets like this. Bless you for helping them.
Love the curtains. You are so right regarding depression and going around in circles. I need to clean and declutter but too depressed to do anything about it. So the circle goes around and around. Thank you for your help with this family, I feel sure they appreciated it🤗🇬🇧
I hear you, same thing here, plus I am 66 and quite gimpy. I find it hard to bend over without getting very dizzy and I need to get rotator cuffs on both arms so I have a limited range of motion. I could go on and on but I won’t bore you.
As someone who just believes in tidy, I tell my friends who are struggling with it: just throw trash in the trash. Makes a massive difference in both how your space looks AND how you feel IN your space. Sometimes that's all you need to keep going with the tidy up! This was a great video! Thank you for sharing!
I totally agree. Obviously some people have health issues, but if at all possible, make it a line in the sand to never leave trash around like that. As soon as you get up, throw it away!
It's not easy to just be told what to do. I'm 40 and still struggle with with putting things back and throwing things away. An empty box of noodles will set on my counter for more than a month.
@@marikiemarie7622 Why is it so hard for you to throw away the empty box of noodles, as soon as it's empty??
@melissabenson6749 tell me you domt suffer from a mental illness without telling me. I ADHD really bad. It's just one thing that creates others to be worse. I have the cleanest bathroom and car you'll ever see but my kitchen is cluttered. Not gross. Just messy. Dishes are done and there is no molding food. Just empty boxes that will pile up. I don't know why...I can't afford health care to find out why. I just know I was diagnosed with bad adult ADHD but can't afford the meds to help. I'm extremely creative. I paint. I do cakes. I draw. All all these things I'm pretty good at. I sell my cake up to 500 bucks amd people request me. I sold a painting 1 week ago for 300. However I have my habits. Even when trash can is empty I still toss food boxed in a corner. Dont know why.
Because it could be useful / fear of being wasteful, or sometimes with depression the gest itself is felt as too much for the moment and you will do it later
This is AMAZING! I’m a handicapped mom (right arm amputee) with a left arm amputee husband and we don’t get disability benefits (ik it’s crazy thanks Uncle Sam 🙄) so we’re struggling financially and I love how this video addressed the accessibility of the space as well as giving economical and PRACTICAL solutions! Awesome video! Thank you 😊
I'm so sorry, that breaks my heart for you guys! Sending good vibes and hope things get better for yall 🥺💖
How can you be handicapped and NOT be on disability smh we need a government that cares for people not trying to make things harder.
My first thought was at least you can still hold hands 😭
You should do more LOW cost/NO cost decorating and staging. I have been loving this from you lately. Great job as always 🥰👍🏼❤
Cleaning your space goes a long way. What a transformation! Everything looks so bright now - you guys did an amazing job♥
Thank you for showcasing a poor family's home that looks in rough shape.These types of homes are all across America and in other parts of the world. A lot of people aren't considerate to those who are down on hard times and can't afford to fix their homes or have valid reasons that their homes are not clean, like struggling with mental illness or sickness of some type.
I am so thankful that you did not judge these people for why their house was in the condition it was in, but helped them make it better. Thank you for showing your compassion for others in this video.
Well said...and....welcome to my world.
I wish they'd wear gloves, though. I'm always worried they'll catch a rash from all the chemicals they use to clean. But yes, they work miracles.
I think the cat was very happy with the new clean home. You did an awesome job 🙌🏽
The rearranging really helped. Because I tend to be a little messy, I put a decorative wastebasket in every single room, by a chair and especially by a desk. That helps me a lot.
Yep! By having those little trashcans in every room we can skip Step #1 entirely and go straight to Step #2. . . What a time & energy saver! 😊
I think getting acutely aware of your faults instead of eternally trying to change us (and never achieve it) is the much more helpful approach.
I do this too and it really does keep down trash clutter. I “treat” myself to scented trash bags once in awhile or spray essential oil/water on the cans to keep motivated to empty them.
@@xthatwhiteguyx yes, I can see that becoming a problem the older I get. 75 now but I use small plastic grocery bags in each basket so it makes it easy to grab it, tie it up and grab up two or three and toss.
@@pamelajean1905 Where I live those bags have been banned, because 'single use plastic'. So now I BUY plastic bags for the garbage cans and they're only used once. Crazy. The unintended consequence of a good effort to reduce dependence of plastic=petroleum=oil. Costs me more and used only once vs a bag that brought the groceries home then became the garbage bag. Ridiculous.
Yall did an amazing transformation. God bless you for helping those people like you did.❤
Amazing how rearranging furniture, a few lamps, and some curtains changes things! Great Job Mack!
This video is awesome! So many “budget friendly” room make-over videos would still cost the average paycheck to paycheck family a friggin fortune. When a supposedly budget friendly rug still costs $300, the video definitely isn’t for everyone. I love that you touched on real basic concepts like arranging the room so they didn’t have to cross each other’s spaces but could still hang together doing separate things.
Almost every video I watched that claimed to be about something budget friendly during my broke student years were making me feel even more broke. Budget friendly meals? How to budget while broke? All just for the upper middle class trying to spend their almost fortune amount of money in a "smarter way". Then I discovered a channel run by the fundamentalist Christian couple that was just what I wanted all the other channels to be. I subscribed and watched all of their videos.
They were fundies, but they rarely spoke about that kind of things because the channel was about frugality. Still, for some reason the algorithm started thinking I was interested in fundamentalists or was one so it started recommending me videos made by other fundamentalists. I watched some of them. Themes like modesty, traditional gender roles and for some reason the Satanist caliphate conspiracy theory were dominating my front page for a while. It just made me realise how far from regular viewers this kind of content is buried under by the garbage.
I found out the same to be the truth for the craft tutorials. Real stuff is hidden under the layers and layers of videos that were not made to teach you something new or showing you tricks to improve in your craft. They were made to be watched by people who are not into doing crafts and are instead there to watch something calming because that is how they deal with stress.
Bless you for understanding the cycle of mental health / depression and not cleaning. Bless you for your non-judgmental approach. And bless you for helping these people. This video is so much more realistic than so many others. Thank you. 😊. I subscribed.
Bro there is no excuse for living like this. People need to stop using things like mental health as an excuse for people being animals.
@@ElisPalace Pretty clear to me that you don’t know what you’re talking about. People don’t “use things like mental illness” as an excuse. Mental illness is just that - an illness. It’s not a character defect. Get it?
@@vbrooker1 Sadly people like them don't care enough to try and understand.
@@ElisPalaceI totally agree!!! People will always,make up excuses,for everything,instead of taking responsibility for anything.Some people are just lazy and nasty.
Not much with compassion are you.@rosestewart8879
I like your finishing touches. They make a real differece. I am sure that the family loved it. I have all my "stuff" on one huge shelving system covered by floor to ceiling curtains in white. It makes all the difference to the room. Well done guys and watch out for the moose.
This brought back a lot of sad, sad memories for me. Poverty is a debilitator. You have done more than clean here. You have rejuvenated lives. I wish I'd known someone like you back in the day. Now, I just hope I have helped in this kind of way for others.
He actually shows in detail all the ugly steps. I LOVE THIS.His notes on lighting & music are 100% right on psychologically. Please, dude, gloves! I SO get this guy. Natural feng shui, understands space and how to maximize flow in small spaces. I share this knack, untrained. I LOVE this video!
Yes, but not to the gloves. It's an unnecessary step. Hear me out. Before there were gloves we survived just by washing our hands. Their dirt is no different than yours. The gloves are not good for our planet. Please love our home more than convenience!!
I hadn't thought about it that way, though the gloves don't have to be a one-use-only item. Unfortunately we can still get tetanus (aka lockjaw) from dirt. Things can be transmitted in this pile of dirt but, I know, we have swung a little too far to the other side as far as hygiene is concerned. It would be good to find a middle ground again.@@daniellejames8028
@@daniellejames8028I'll do gloves 😊 and after still wash my hands
The way you describe the cycle of depression that comes with a messy house is so spot on. I feel so understood. That in and of itself is reason enough for me to subscribe. Thank you!
I love that you did this. That was so kind of you to do for this couple. Our environments have such an impact on our mental health and sometimes a small adjustment like lighting and furniture rearrangement can make us feel like whole new versions of ourselves. Thank you for sharing this with us!
What a kind, respectful way of presenting a difficult situation. We used to manage a small apartment building and one tenant and her family got into a similar predicament. We moved her from one unit to another which was situated over a storage area. This allowed her to worry less about noise from her small child. It also gave her an opportunity for the fresh start you alluded to. It took days to get her old place cleaned and decorated to the standard needed for a new tenant. But it was all worth while. She sought us out years later to thank us. Life doesn’t get much better than that.
With so many people struggling, we _need_ compassionate, talented people like you!
THIS is realistic and what I needed to help me clean my house. My apartment hasn't been updated since it was built in the 70's and I appreciate this so much.
I also used a shelf for a shoe rack. It was a part of an entertainment system i think and is solid wood. It looks very nice in the entry. I picked it up during one of those citywide curb days where people put all the stuff they want to get rid of on the curb and since it is an affluent place you get nice stuff and it's basically like recycling. Very very little actually ends up being picked up for the landfill at the end of it.
I love doing stuff like this for people. I did this for a girl once who was going to have a CPS visit and was terrified she would lose her son. Took me about 1hr 45 mins to do her bedroom and kitchen. And you are absolutely correct the best way is to start with an empty canvas, so moving everything out of the room is the best way to start.
People tell me im weird because i get bored with my apartment and every other month i move furniture around or do a deep clean/organize. Haha 😅
Storage is your friend! Sometimes homes can look hoarded or cluttered if you don't have places to put things away. Shelves, end tables, storage boxes that fit under beds, couches, and dressers are awesome.
You can find free furniture on classifieds sometimes. I have a small coffee table i got for $10 at a thrift store. The poor thing was so ugly lol but a $3 can of spray paint made my $10 coffee table looks like an $80 coffee table 😅
You sound like a wonderful friend 💛
When I lived with my parents I reorganized my room pretty much every other month too :D I do it to a degree now in my own apartment, but mainly in the bedroom where it's the easiest
Good storage makes all the difference, yes! If things have a good easily accessible place, then it is so easy to maintain tidiness! This is why all the shoes in the house are on a giant rack by my door
Long term hack: check out the returned paint section at Home Depot, Ace, Lowes. Ive found gallon jugs of nice colored paint for under 10 bucks. Good for cabinets or funiture. Once, i collected a few gallons of similar colored paints and mixed them together in a 5 gallon bucket to do 2 rooms. Just make sure they are the same kind of paint (latex, oil, ect). Can also be done to ugly flooring if you splurge on a top coat. I did a full makeover of an old bed room for 40 bucks between paint, one roller set, and a few things i found at garage sales.
That’s a brilliant tip with the paint. I’m the free-wheeling optimist who would mix a bunch of unrelated colors and go with whatever random color happened!
Yes! I just discovered that exists and got some expensive paint for 7$. I guess it had sat there a while or they wanted rid of it because it was $50 a gallon paint. I’ve already used some for a paint wash on 30 yr old builder grade bathroom cabinets I had sanded to the natural wood. It worked amazingly well and I’m so glad I found it and attempted something new. 😊
@@free2beemee that's awesome! Bet it looks amazing!
@@thepixinator2592 if you watch a quick video on color theory, it will help keep you from wasting paint making baby poop color (unless you are way ahead of me there). Otherwise a fun way to play 😄
I love this. You used their stuff and just added small touches. So real life. Thank you
I love how real and honest you come across!! 22:37 I especially thought the fact that you were cleaning under the couch cushions with no gloves showed great humbleness and that you were just there to help. So glad you pointed out how despair and depression can work. It’s easy to sit back and judge a person’s circumstances without knowing what it’s really like
I work at a non profit mental health agency and we have caseworkers that help clients and there was on client that had been with the agency for YEARS and the caseworker told us stories of helping them with this hoarding situation.. It was so sad.... Caseworkers /managers are often some of the warriers of the front line with this. THey go into depressed or mentally challenged client's homes to address these issues. We need to pay those folks more money. I am glad that there is slowly and gradually more compassion and understanding and empathy.. Thanks to videos like these!
Well said 👏👏👏👏❤️
You described my situation so well. I hope to use these videos as inspiration. You are a wonderful human being.
The compassion is amazing, but I think gloves would still be a good idea. I use gloves when cleaning my own home, I don't think there is any kind of message by wearing cleaning gloves.
No gloves puts himself at risk. It has nothing to do with being humble. Being humble is not judging these people and being very matter of fact about what he was doing, and how you can do the same without spending money.
I have to say the best part of your videos is the narration. Your voice is very comforting and melodic. Some people who comment that this person is just a slob has zero empathy. Of course, no one knows another's state of mind or struggles/past tragedies they may be dealing with physically or mentally. I don't have trash or empty drink or food wrappers or obvious garbage in my home but it is messy because I just have too much "stuff". I need to purge desperately to get my home in a state of "calm" again. When you're physically and mentally drained, you have no energy. Thank you for this work you do. You are an angel.
I really appreciated that he pointed out the cycle of crappy room -> depression -> lack of motivation -> room gets crappier -> depression worsens. I think most people want to live in bright, attractive spaces but some can't quite manage to get there on their own, for whatever reason, and if they don't get some kind of help it just snowballs endlessly. I'm glad that these folks had someone to guide them in the right direction.
@@amandaf4720Amen 💜👍
I agree with a lot of the comments saying a good old fashion clean can do wonders for a space, especially if you don’t have extra income to redo your space! Can’t tell you how many times as a kid I would rearrange my furniture while cleaning to make my space feel different or more inviting lol. Something I also do now! Thrifting or receiving things second hand are such blessings! I find I mostly get everything either 2nd hand or are handed something down because I find those items are normally of better quality then buying anything new now a days. Things just don’t seem to be made to last anymore and it’s sad. God bless you for the work you did for this couple!!
I live in a single room studio (converted garage) with my husband. My cleaning routine is usually to do the smallest chores daily, like sweeping cat litter, cleaning the litter box, dishes and throwing away trash and recycle. Bigger things like laundry, vacuuming the floor and under couch cushions, cleaning the bathroom, cleaning out the fridge and mopping I pick a day I’m not working and do those chores once a week. And then big chores like cleaning under the fridge and stove, moving furniture and vacuuming underneath them, cleaning the shower and cleaning stains off walls or base boards i do once a month. Twice a year we go through our possessions and goodwill the stuff we don’t need anymore. You’d be surprised how much stuff you don’t need to hold onto.
Fantastic job! Boy, do you understand the cycle of depression/not cleaning! I like your approach of covering up what looks bad with something pretty, and your acknowledgement that many people are limited in what they can spend, citing thrift stores and donations from friends as good sources of furniture and drapes. Loved your interaction with the kitty in the end, too. 😊
You’re right Mack- lighting is important.
I notice a lot of led bulbs are a ‘cold blue’ light and it makes your house look like an operating theatre.
If you look at the small print on bulbs and fluoro tubes they will say either ‘cool white’ or ‘warm white’.
I recommend’warm white’ everywhere as light really does affect your mood.
YES. I hate the cold blue lights. They drive me bonkers.
I bought warm white bulbs and they're still horribly bright. Led is not meant to make your home cozy, but to save energy. One of the worst inventions ever.
@@lenom1289 I wonder if they make light yellow LEDs? Like how the original bulbs were? Must investigate.
i use orange halloween light bulbs. less than $5 each. very warm glow.
@@lenom1289 I put in low wattage - seems to help.
I also picked up a dozen old fashioned light bulbs from a charity store that fits my bedside lamp. Should see me out.
I love the modesty and realistic solutions you put to spruce up the entire space. It looks so much better now
Love this video. UA-cam and social media is oversaturated with expensive homes and aesthetics, it's nice to see some representation and tips for people who live in perfectly normal-looking homes.
Slip covers, lamps, plants. My secret is two-fold: scent warmers and cookies. Cookies make the house smell amazing and inviting. How kind of you! Your cleaning probably stopped some of the depression, and saved a marriage
His secret is after cleaning and organizing, is a good layout and sourcing essentials on the cheap. The layout is so important though. I have tried to help friends who asked for my help but will insist their layout is completely intractable. His ugly messy desk must remain across from the entry. The TV must remain on the one wall and the sofa on the other so there is a basketball court in the middle of the room. It drives me crazy.
The issue with this is not all scent warmer scents are pet safe. Including candles as well ! And it still cost money to run the appliances so not easy on a budget
@@MeadowsMiniFarm Pointing out a candle and scent warmer aren't pet safe is gratuitous. They aren't "child safe" either- along with the oven, washing machine, blender, lamps, microwaves, toasters, staple gun, blow dryers, waffle irons, electric mixers, curling iron, popcorn poppers, and glue guns. It cost 50 cents a month to run a scent warmer 6 hours a day- easy on the budget.