It’s a good mentality to have when getting out of this situation is that all this stuff means a chance to get to be abundantly generous. There are situations where essentials are REALLY needed. I help out with a group that twice a month has people lined up just to get a t-shirt and pants along with other items like shoes or coats, socks, etc and all these things come from donations. If someone can look at it as a privilege to get to be such blessing to people it makes it to have been worth it
Yes, I totally agree this is the best way to get rid of things.🤗 This is how my friend, Tisha, has been able to get rid of so much stuff is by giving it to people who need it because I usually run across people who need the stuff that she is getting rid of and, if there isn't a specific person to give it to, just donating it to the thrift store is even a good feeling because you know people are getting nice things at a reduced cost. I totally understand she wants to sell as much as she can to try to recoup some of the money she spent, but I hope that she is able to donate the things that don't sell so that she is not bringing those items back into her home and can bless the lives of other people. I think that might be the key to helping her let go of some of this is pointing out that she is providing a service to others because she really does like helping other people and maybe she hasn't really thought about the fact that she can just give this stuff away as a charitable thing to do. Love it!❤️❤️
Middle age problems: Having trouble getting rid of empty boxes because they're like, really good boxes. I'm working on cleaning out my house in preparation for putting it on the market and I discovered I had "good boxes" squirreled away in every corner of the house. It took three full Suburban loads to take them to the recycling center, even with them all flattened. (And that was only the less good of the good boxes because I kept a decent amount for the move.)
That's hilarious! It's funny to find memes that talk about a good box. My friend and I will exchange pictures sometimes when we find a good box and drool over each other's boxes. 😂😂
Since humans are animals something that we all have is this tendency of being like squirrels storing our nuts. I guess the more survival or traumatic events, the urge to store nuts is greater
I really admire what you do! I find myself getting angry with hoarders. I know its a mental health issue but they never seem to want to be treated and they put their family though so much misery. I'm impressed with how calm and compassionate you and your mom are.
I've noticed a lot of mental health disorders seem to be triggered by trauma. I think hoarding might be a kind of OCD. I saw a show about it and the brain scans of those with OCD are different to neurotypicals. Maybe the brain trying to protect itself against the trauma, but Its actually making things worse? Terrible to be locked inside yoir own brain like that.
When a hoarder asks for help they have to be willing to let stuff go otherwise nothing changes and no matter how patient you are it’s a waste of time. I think therapy is often needed. I do feel sad for other members of the family. This was a great one and a big difference was made x
Same. I've been watching cleaning channels for a few months, but while it's satisfying to watch, it also makes me irrationally angry sometimes. Probably because I grew up in a hoarder house and developed an obsessive need for cleanliness since. I know hoarding is a neurological disease, and so on, I watch Magic West Cleaning so I heard him talking about that stuff, but I can't get past it. He's right, while I wouldn't shovel everything into the trash like some people say, I also wouldn't go and do the work, so I keep my mouth shut and just watch them do it. I have nothing nice to say, so I say nothing and lurke in silence.
You are amazing! Yes I watched till the very end because I am just gobsmacked that anyone can live like this, and in awe that you have sufficient empathy to come in and clean in those conditions. I have to admit I don’t understand how hoarding disorder works and do understand that there is some mental illness involved, but…hoarding is one thing, filth is another. My worry is that you will have spent all that time cleaning and in a months time it will be the same again. But you are amazing, you truly are.
Wait until you get to the last one in this series. It definitely took everything out of me mentally. 😮💨I could have sorted and organized for months on end, but without her actually getting some real therapy for the hoarding, I don't think anything will change. Perhaps eviction will be the wake-up call she needs because I don't think she's going to be able to avoid it.
I appreciate the honesty from other commenters. Here's mine. Way before my home became like this I'd have told my spouse to get in counseling and start cleaning up now, or they can live there as a single person. The abuse hoarders inflict on others is just not okay. I hope you'll do an update on this house, I'm cheering for them, but with doubt.
I'm getting bits of the story of this woman and her family each time I go, and it's all pretty complicated. I can't really disclose all of the information I know, but it is a very complicated history, lots of back-to-back traumatic events. She is in counseling, though I don't know if it is specifically for the hoarding or just the trauma. I can't really say one way or the other what I think they should do because I'm sure I only know a very small portion of what's going on. I just try to get them to a more manageable state and hopefully take one stressor out of their lives so that they can focus on healing. It is infuriating at times, and I'm not even family, so I can't even imagine how I would deal with this as a family member, but I know she has no intention of hurting them. And, to be honest, I am starting to have some doubt that we can get the house back to a manageable state because, so far, she hasn't gotten rid of much of anything. We are just organizing it into categories, but until she can let go of some of this stuff, it's not going to change. Supposedly, this weekend, she will be having a big yard sale to get rid of stuff. We shall see...🤔
You are doing such a great job and so is your Mom....she is a worker for sure. Now .... that fridge...I would have just tossed it all and bought her new stuff.
Thank you so much! As for the fridge, I wish I could have just tossed it all and bought her new stuff, but I think that would have been really traumatic for her because, if there is anything that's still good in there, it feels very wasteful to her, which I understand on some level, but the way a hoarder thinks about it is on a whole other level.
I can't imagine trying to sort, tidy, and clean in a place like that! There's nowhere to work! You are an angel! I'd be like, can't you see that you have 10,000 towels, and nowhere to put them?
Haha, Bonnie! I just realized that the back of your shirt says “I’d rather be WATCHING PEOPLE cleaning.” I didn’t see the “watching people” part until you were cleaning out the fridge, and your back was turned to the camera a lot more! Love it!! 🤣🤣
😁Yep, that was intentional so that I can have it in my merchandise shop when I have that up and going in hopefully the next couple of weeks. I think most people would rather be watching people clean.😉 But there are a few of us crazy ones who would rather be cleaning.🤷♀️😅
I need to have you clean my fridge that looks amazing. Loved the little video so funny. Your mom is so sweet , you guys make a great team. Keep up the amazing, wonderful and uplifting job you do😁
I don’t understand why you don’t have more followers. You’re one of my favorites. Just keep going you’re great at what you do. Just know that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be ❤❤
Awww, that's so nice of you. I'm actually pretty thrilled I already have almost 45,000 subscribers in less than 10 months. When compared to Mack, that's not much, but when it takes most UA-camrs about five years to get 10,000 subs, I feel like it's going pretty well. Plus, the stuff I've learned over the last year has been priceless. 😊
Right?! He is definitely an anomaly. I think his advantage is that he has never really masked his oddities as an autistic, but as a female autistic, I think it's a little harder to unmask and show some of that odd behavior. I did a little bit in this video and hopefully I can get more and more comfortable with that because that really is how I am a lot of the time, but it feels really weird to show the world that side of me since really only my family usually sees that because I try to fit in with society outside of my home and tone down my weirdness. But, it seems when I do let a little of that side show, people like it because I think there are a lot more people than we realize that have that weird side to them that we never see, so I hope it makes others feel comfortable being a little more themselves. Anyway, I have basically written a novel here when I really could have just responded with, "Right? Mack is awesome!"😁
@@ABeautifulMessExtremeCle-zl1wp - I have an autistic son - he’s 40 now-it’s just a different way of seeing the world- we all have our issues trust me - love your channel
You are a Wonderful person, I just imagined what that fridge must have smelled like. Leaving things in the shopping bags and just shoving it in the fridge is a sure way to lose food. So happy you are helping these people.
Bags of bags! Yep! I tried to help a friend declutter her house and knew I was in over my head when I realized that the bags of bags were carefully bundled - AND DATED! Two tall boxes blocking one hallway, and another one in a corner elsewhere in the house. I was told they’re “needed.” Never mind that with every trip to the store, they were bringing in more. At 5c/bag where we live, they must have hundreds of dollars worth of bags - not kidding!
That's too funny! I can't believe she had them boxed and dated.😱 I also have a lot of shopping bags, but after they don't fit in the space that I have designated for them, I start getting rid of them. I think that's the key to limiting the amount of any item is picking a space for it and, once that space is filled, that's all you get to keep. That's something I have always done naturally, so I'm always surprised when that's not a natural habit for a lot of people.
I understand the bags of bags because I have done it myself and still do to a lesser degree now. I either take the extras to the charity shops or a local store and they are very grateful for them. A plastic bag in Ireland is 22 cent. You all did fantastic work with all the different categories of items including the bags of bags and putting in such a long day too. The fridge looks great. I’ve watched A Hoarders Heart for several years and she gives a great insight to hoarding too. Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇♀️👏💪👍🙏💐🛍
Great job! Love your mom! I enjoyed the "movie" of putting on the couch cover - making a humorous "Keystone Cops" type of film was a great idea! Looking forward to the next video!
As I see the plastic shopping bags go I 😢! In 🇨🇦 we got rid of one use plastic, we don’t get plastic bags anymore 😭 I have to say you handled cleaning the fridge with her like a champ. BTW a your Mom is hilarious! There’s a special place in heaven for you Mack, Barbie, your Mom……. Keep the videos coming 🥰
I normally find the HOA policies to be very restrictive and unreasonable but I totally agree with a HOA policy that prevents homes, property, pets and people from being ruined or destroyed by a hoarding situation. You all are doing an excellent job and should be very proud of yourselves. Keep up the great work. 🥳😘
Yes, I totally agree. It's hard to explain to someone with hoarding disorder that they aren't being picked on, but that these kind of regulations are in place for, not only their safety, but the neighbors as well.
Yeah like because of the hoa intervention this house is going to get fixed up before it gets even more overwhelming. Also so many hoarded house become destroyed after years of things piling up and fixtures being unreachable if they're broken or leaking. Because she was forced to clean this up by the hoa she probably will revert because cleaning the house doesn't treat the hoarding disorder and the root of why she's hoarding. I hope that she is able to keep things safe after you're done because living in a house full of stuff to a point where you can't comfortably walk through it has to be stressfu.
Holy cow that fridge with the bags!! I’ve never seen those used like that. That house is so overwhelming bc it’s not gross it’s just tons and tons of stuff. I love the happy atmosphere y’all had! That has to be so encouraging to the family. You guys are amazing!
Yes, that was my first time seeing shopping bags used like that in the fridge. It was kind of helpful though to contain what was kept in them so that, if they did leak anything, it didn't get everywhere. But that's probably also part of the problem is that you can't see what is in your fridge so you forget what's there.🤷♀️😊
@@ABeautifulMessExtremeCle-zl1wp i think using those kind of bags in the fridge keeps what is in them hidden, thus less likely used. out of sight, out of mind kind of thing.
I can totally relate with wanting to keep empty boxes. They’re too functional looking to throw away, right? I get it! Well, my husband and I agreed, they had to go. Then, 2 months later, (ago) we decided to downsize and sell our home. Now today, we will grab a bunch of huge boxes to start packing! 😂
It's a good thing there are so many of us box hoarders around so that, when you decide to get rid of boxes, there is always someone eager to take them and, when you need boxes, you can usually just look in the free section on Facebook or something and find a box hoarder getting rid of theirs. 😂😂They are so useful!!
This is lovely! I also have been enjoying a hoarders heart. I will always be a recovering hoarder. She does a great job dealing with her hoard. It’s inspiring how she speaks to herself. If you are watching this lady in the video, check her out. It’s great. Also, Marie Kondo.
When you were talking about words like stationary and stationery, it brought back a childhood memory of never being able to remember which spelling went with which definition and checking my dictionary each time!
I am a minimalist and this video is giving me anxiety. I would have gotten rid of everything single thing. Great job having patience and compassion. I simply could not do this. Oh that fridge! 😮 Great job cleaning it out! Every time I watch one of your videos I go on a cleaning rampage!!!
Oh my God yes the chalk was the worst part every time I saw that stupid Chalk I was like why do we have to do this that's gotta be another solution, that chalk would freak me out!
They had those hand things that went over your ring and middle finger to protect them and I remember thinking I had found my answer to not having to use chalk. However, my coaches still wanted me to put chalk on those. I used as little as possible. Even talking about chalk right now makes me cringe.😬
I don't think anyone knows his real name.😁 I'm not even sure if Mack is his real name or if he is going to come out someday and tell us all that he has been playing a big joke on us and his real name is Robert or something.🤔 Regardless, I'm glad you're here!😊❤️❤️
I think the thing I like best about your videos is that you involve the people gat you’re helping. It makes it trickier to film, but it just makes so much more sense.
Yes, there is that balance between wanting them to help because I think they have a higher chance of success when they are helping, but it can be very tricky working with the homeowner right there. There have been days working at this house that I was able to work in another room more on my own so the filming was a little easier and there were less distractions, but she is still plugging along in another room sorting through boxes and bags that we are giving her. Thanks for your support!💕🙏
I found that the You Tube channel ''A Hoarders Heart'' gave me a good insight of how a hoarder thinks and what techniques helped her to go from a Level 4 hoarder (scale 1-5) to a Level 1. Her videos started about 5 years ago. Good to watch from the start.
I actually mentioned to her that she should start following that channel. I listen to an interview with her that was very insightful and have watched a couple of her videos just to understand the hoarding mindset a little better. I think she would be very helpful for "Julie."
I use them as trash bags. Many people I know do. Also for cat litter. And I collect the extras to take to Walmart for recycling. I have a couple bags of bags in my car right now.
My mom was a neat hoarder and my dad was a not neat hoarder. After health problems and a bad marriage I became a semi neat hoarder. I’m trying read to do my last bag of mail. I shredded 4 bags already. Yes I clean. Yes I try to keep order but at times I just can’t. 😊
Hi, Bonnie and mum! Wow that was some amazing work you just did. When you said you used to be a gymnast, that explains why you look so slim and agile ( not to mention all the cleaning of course, lol) Thanks also to your other helper!
LOL! That was over 30 years ago that I was a gymnast, but, yes, I have always tried to stay active. In fact, sitting and doing nothing is one of the worst things that I can imagine.😁 Relaxing is very hard for me.🤪
You are very good at what you do. There is no way, no way I could do this. Cleaning for someone who is basically micro-managing you who doesn't clean it is insane. I would have been so frustrated, and anxiety would have been through the roof. Bless you and your Mom for helping this family. I still say horders buy more of what they have because they can't find things. And it becomes more and more things. I hope they continue with the cleaning because there is still a lot to do. I'm surprise they didn't have rats. Awesome job as always ❤❤
I know it probably does look like the homeowner isn't helping that much, but she was busy going through boxes of stuff that we would give to her. It's hard to show that though when I'm trying to keep her anonymous. We actually didn't want her moving around a lot because there was one particular day she was helping kind of all over the house and kept going up and down the stairs and, by the end of the day, her feet were so swollen that she could barely walk for the next couple of days. She sent me a picture and it looked awful. 😬 But, I can totally see how it does look like I'm being micromanaged while cleaning. There were a couple of times I felt like that, but for the most part, I was able to work on my own and then just give her boxes to sort through.
I was impressed that the husband was helping. As you say it must be very distressing to live with a hoarder and he must have run out of patience many a time but he is still there helping with the task in hand.
24:06 - I think you're absolutely right about speeding it up more so we're not trying to make out the conversation. As someone with sensory issues specifically around people speaking, that solved the problem for me!
Great job It is so wonderful to see you help this family so tremendously. You and your team are wonderful at helping andvnot being judgemental towards people or their stuff.
Bonnie, you and your team are champs! Your Mom is adorable I don’t doubt a genetic predisposition to hoarding. Is it nature or nurture? My husband, retired Air Force flight engineer and mechanic, always says… it’s a combination of things that come together just at the right time to cause an accident, incident or situation. So does she have genetics? Trauma? Modeling from parents? Or perhaps all? Nobody knows 🤷🏻♀️ Best to proceed with caring and kindness
You guys made a huge difference to all 3 rooms. The stuff in the living and dining room is so much less, without throwing anything away that she wanted to keep. Fantastic job already, and I can't wait to see how much more of an improvement the end result is!❤
One more thing I want to say is that I am currently clearing out my parents house. They lived there for 65 years and never thew anything away. Dad died and we built mum a little home in our garden where she is comfortable and safe. I would not let her bring much of anything with her that wasn't essential or for fun. But the clearance job is soul destroying and exhausting. It's taken me months because I just don't want to go. I am doing it all on my own, whilst looking after her more than I had realised was going to be necessary and trying to work at my business, and I struggle with hypothyroidism so get quickly exhausted. The hidden part of working in all this mess and old stuff is the dust. It's everywhere. I feel dried up when I leave. My lungs feel the same. It often gives me a headache and makes me flush as my body tries to deal with the histamine flare. We don't see any of that in a cleaning channel. We see the mess and dirt, but you really have to feel it all over and inside your body to really appreciate the amazing work you do. I can't wait to finish. I don't think I have too far to go now. Just the terrible task of the loft and dad's garage and garden store and a few more odds and ends. But then I will have to take the carpets up and that's going to be a mask wearing job. Everyone, on YT or just quietly in the background, who takes on this sort of work to help people are amazing.
And yes, mum had bags and bags and bags stuffed with bags! And bags of pieces of scrap cardboard to write on despite having loads of notebooks. And everything was stored in a carrier bag done up with a plastic clip!
Watch out for mold in these situations, too. While not a hoarder, I do have more than I need and am working on it so I don't leave a problem for my kids.
@@beckiejani7782 I don't seem to have found much mould. There will be some behind some of the bigger furniture I'm sure, but the furniture is going out last and I will be getting house clearance in to do it. So that won't really be my concern. I will speak to an estate agent at that point and see if they think I should do anything more to it or just leave it. No one is going to buy and just move in. It needs stripping back too the brick and starting again.
That is the saddest thing to me about hoarding or even just having way more stuff than we need. You can't take it with you when you die, and then it just leaves a burden for your kids. That's why I love the concept of Swedish death cleaning and not leaving this sort of mess for your kids to deal with. I want them to have good memories of me, not that I left them with a huge burden. I'm glad you are getting to the point of almost being done. That sounds like a huge task!
I really feel for this person. I love your mom. I wish I had a mother like yours. She is awesome! I enjoy your videos. I also watch Midwest magic cleaners. I cleaned and organized my attic space. I was not a horder in my earlier years, however, I find myself now having hard time getting rid of stuff. God bless you ladies for helping her.
I don't believe I've ever seen soooo much stuff in my life. Wow, no one needs 90 percent of that. I don't believe she got rid of enough that's for sure.
She hasn't really gotten rid of anything yet. I have been trying to get her to do her yard sale since the second week we have been working there and it has yet to happen. Right now, we are just organizing things into categories and throwing away some trash, but if we don't start actually selling or donating stuff, I don't think I can continue working there because I don't like just shifting stuff around. Yes, it might be a little more organized, but it will just end up the same way unless she actually gets rid of stuff. I'm going to let her know this is going to be my last week working there unless she has a yard sale this weekend and sells a lot of stuff and donates what doesn't sell.
Interesting comment about the hereditary factor of hoarding. My mom was a hoarder my sister is a massive hoarder and thankfully I was able to break that cycle on my own. It hurt but I did it!
So much excess. I find myself thinking of all the money spent that could have been used elsewhere. I give you credit for your patience in dealing with situation. Hopefully she will get mental help as well so this will not just be cyclical both for her sake & her family.
That black and white movie of the couch cover was hilarious! I was laughing out loud. You all did an amazing job in that dining room. I'm not sure how anyone can stand to take all that rotten stuff out of a refrigerator. However, I know I have seen worse in other videos. Much, much worse. As far as the HOA goes I'm not saying whether I agree or disagree with their policies. I was just surprised that they knew anything about the inside of the house. They still would not have known if the owner had not agreed to let them in. I doubt they could have gotten any kind of a legal search warrant. However, it's much more understandable for them to get involved in a duplex type of situation.
Yeah, I'm not sure about all the legalities of the HOA involvement, but once I thought more about it being a duplex and having your neighbor actually connected to your house it does make sense that someone needs to check on these kinds of things so that it doesn't become a hazard for the neighbor as well.
This is how I remember: “stationEry” means “lEtters.” “StationAry” means it “stAys still.”
You and your Mom and the other girl are really something. You all deserve a medal. Wow.
It’s a good mentality to have when getting out of this situation is that all this stuff means a chance to get to be abundantly generous. There are situations where essentials are REALLY needed. I help out with a group that twice a month has people lined up just to get a t-shirt and pants along with other items like shoes or coats, socks, etc and all these things come from donations. If someone can look at it as a privilege to get to be such blessing to people it makes it to have been worth it
That is a really good way of thinking 😀
Yes, I totally agree this is the best way to get rid of things.🤗 This is how my friend, Tisha, has been able to get rid of so much stuff is by giving it to people who need it because I usually run across people who need the stuff that she is getting rid of and, if there isn't a specific person to give it to, just donating it to the thrift store is even a good feeling because you know people are getting nice things at a reduced cost. I totally understand she wants to sell as much as she can to try to recoup some of the money she spent, but I hope that she is able to donate the things that don't sell so that she is not bringing those items back into her home and can bless the lives of other people. I think that might be the key to helping her let go of some of this is pointing out that she is providing a service to others because she really does like helping other people and maybe she hasn't really thought about the fact that she can just give this stuff away as a charitable thing to do. Love it!❤️❤️
Middle age problems: Having trouble getting rid of empty boxes because they're like, really good boxes.
I'm working on cleaning out my house in preparation for putting it on the market and I discovered I had "good boxes" squirreled away in every corner of the house. It took three full Suburban loads to take them to the recycling center, even with them all flattened. (And that was only the less good of the good boxes because I kept a decent amount for the move.)
That's hilarious! It's funny to find memes that talk about a good box. My friend and I will exchange pictures sometimes when we find a good box and drool over each other's boxes. 😂😂
Since humans are animals something that we all have is this tendency of being like squirrels storing our nuts. I guess the more survival or traumatic events, the urge to store nuts is greater
Bonnie, you are doing such a great job & are so understanding & patient! I love how much you help others! ❤
Interesting that most things in the fridge were parcelled up in plastic bags. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.
I really admire what you do! I find myself getting angry with hoarders. I know its a mental health issue but they never seem to want to be treated and they put their family though so much misery. I'm impressed with how calm and compassionate you and your mom are.
I have had moments of frustration, for sure, but overall, mostly I just feel sad that this is such a struggle for them. 😞
Watch Midwest magic cleaning. So so compassionate and explains so much, and just oozes understanding and teaching that understanding to the world.
I've noticed a lot of mental health disorders seem to be triggered by trauma.
I think hoarding might be a kind of OCD. I saw a show about it and the brain scans of those with OCD are different to neurotypicals. Maybe the brain trying to protect itself against the trauma, but Its actually making things worse? Terrible to be locked inside yoir own brain like that.
When a hoarder asks for help they have to be willing to let stuff go otherwise nothing changes and no matter how patient you are it’s a waste of time. I think therapy is often needed. I do feel sad for other members of the family. This was a great one and a big difference was made x
Same. I've been watching cleaning channels for a few months, but while it's satisfying to watch, it also makes me irrationally angry sometimes. Probably because I grew up in a hoarder house and developed an obsessive need for cleanliness since. I know hoarding is a neurological disease, and so on, I watch Magic West Cleaning so I heard him talking about that stuff, but I can't get past it. He's right, while I wouldn't shovel everything into the trash like some people say, I also wouldn't go and do the work, so I keep my mouth shut and just watch them do it. I have nothing nice to say, so I say nothing and lurke in silence.
You are amazing! Yes I watched till the very end because I am just gobsmacked that anyone can live like this, and in awe that you have sufficient empathy to come in and clean in those conditions. I have to admit I don’t understand how hoarding disorder works and do understand that there is some mental illness involved, but…hoarding is one thing, filth is another. My worry is that you will have spent all that time cleaning and in a months time it will be the same again. But you are amazing, you truly are.
Wait until you get to the last one in this series. It definitely took everything out of me mentally. 😮💨I could have sorted and organized for months on end, but without her actually getting some real therapy for the hoarding, I don't think anything will change. Perhaps eviction will be the wake-up call she needs because I don't think she's going to be able to avoid it.
It must be so hard for the hoarder to live like this but very hard for husband/ family .
Unfortunately the guilt doesn't cure hoarding problem. No more than it would cure depression.
The after shot of the kitchen - wow!!! Amazing job. Your mom is awesome btw. And so are you of course! ❤
Aw, thank you!💕
I appreciate the honesty from other commenters. Here's mine. Way before my home became like this I'd have told my spouse to get in counseling and start cleaning up now, or they can live there as a single person. The abuse hoarders inflict on others is just not okay. I hope you'll do an update on this house, I'm cheering for them, but with doubt.
I'm getting bits of the story of this woman and her family each time I go, and it's all pretty complicated. I can't really disclose all of the information I know, but it is a very complicated history, lots of back-to-back traumatic events. She is in counseling, though I don't know if it is specifically for the hoarding or just the trauma. I can't really say one way or the other what I think they should do because I'm sure I only know a very small portion of what's going on. I just try to get them to a more manageable state and hopefully take one stressor out of their lives so that they can focus on healing. It is infuriating at times, and I'm not even family, so I can't even imagine how I would deal with this as a family member, but I know she has no intention of hurting them.
And, to be honest, I am starting to have some doubt that we can get the house back to a manageable state because, so far, she hasn't gotten rid of much of anything. We are just organizing it into categories, but until she can let go of some of this stuff, it's not going to change. Supposedly, this weekend, she will be having a big yard sale to get rid of stuff. We shall see...🤔
You are doing such a great job and so is your Mom....she is a worker for sure. Now .... that fridge...I would have just tossed it all and bought her new stuff.
Thank you so much! As for the fridge, I wish I could have just tossed it all and bought her new stuff, but I think that would have been really traumatic for her because, if there is anything that's still good in there, it feels very wasteful to her, which I understand on some level, but the way a hoarder thinks about it is on a whole other level.
Love your work here and I don't mind the noise in sped up video. If I find it a little irritating I just turn down the volume!! Problem solved 😂😂😂❤
I can't imagine trying to sort, tidy, and clean in a place like that! There's nowhere to work! You are an angel! I'd be like, can't you see that you have 10,000 towels, and nowhere to put them?
You are amazing and so is your Mom. I lol at the movie.
Haha, Bonnie! I just realized that the back of your shirt says “I’d rather be WATCHING PEOPLE cleaning.” I didn’t see the “watching people” part until you were cleaning out the fridge, and your back was turned to the camera a lot more! Love it!! 🤣🤣
😁Yep, that was intentional so that I can have it in my merchandise shop when I have that up and going in hopefully the next couple of weeks. I think most people would rather be watching people clean.😉 But there are a few of us crazy ones who would rather be cleaning.🤷♀️😅
I love the sped up sounds. I prefer them to random music! I feel satisfied hearing them, it's like a high energy boost :D
Glad you like them!
I need to have you clean my fridge that looks amazing. Loved the little video so funny. Your mom is so sweet , you guys make a great team. Keep up the amazing, wonderful and uplifting job you do😁
Thank you so much!!
I don’t understand why you don’t have more followers. You’re one of my favorites. Just keep going you’re great at what you do. Just know that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be ❤❤
Awww, that's so nice of you. I'm actually pretty thrilled I already have almost 45,000 subscribers in less than 10 months. When compared to Mack, that's not much, but when it takes most UA-camrs about five years to get 10,000 subs, I feel like it's going pretty well. Plus, the stuff I've learned over the last year has been priceless. 😊
Mack is a legend lol you are doing great
Right?! He is definitely an anomaly. I think his advantage is that he has never really masked his oddities as an autistic, but as a female autistic, I think it's a little harder to unmask and show some of that odd behavior. I did a little bit in this video and hopefully I can get more and more comfortable with that because that really is how I am a lot of the time, but it feels really weird to show the world that side of me since really only my family usually sees that because I try to fit in with society outside of my home and tone down my weirdness. But, it seems when I do let a little of that side show, people like it because I think there are a lot more people than we realize that have that weird side to them that we never see, so I hope it makes others feel comfortable being a little more themselves. Anyway, I have basically written a novel here when I really could have just responded with, "Right? Mack is awesome!"😁
@@ABeautifulMessExtremeCle-zl1wp - I have an autistic son - he’s 40 now-it’s just a different way of seeing the world- we all have our issues trust me - love your channel
@@ABeautifulMessExtremeCle-zl1wp I didn’t know that. So I guess congratulations then. Way to go. 👏👍❤️
You are a Wonderful person, I just imagined what that fridge must have smelled like. Leaving things in the shopping bags and just shoving it in the fridge is a sure way to lose food. So happy you are helping these people.
Bags of bags! Yep! I tried to help a friend declutter her house and knew I was in over my head when I realized that the bags of bags were carefully bundled - AND DATED! Two tall boxes blocking one hallway, and another one in a corner elsewhere in the house. I was told they’re “needed.” Never mind that with every trip to the store, they were bringing in more. At 5c/bag where we live, they must have hundreds of dollars worth of bags - not kidding!
That's too funny! I can't believe she had them boxed and dated.😱 I also have a lot of shopping bags, but after they don't fit in the space that I have designated for them, I start getting rid of them. I think that's the key to limiting the amount of any item is picking a space for it and, once that space is filled, that's all you get to keep. That's something I have always done naturally, so I'm always surprised when that's not a natural habit for a lot of people.
I understand the bags of bags because I have done it myself and still do to a lesser degree now. I either take the extras to the charity shops or a local store and they are very grateful for them. A plastic bag in Ireland is 22 cent. You all did fantastic work with all the different categories of items including the bags of bags and putting in such a long day too. The fridge looks great. I’ve watched A Hoarders Heart for several years and she gives a great insight to hoarding too. Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇♀️👏💪👍🙏💐🛍
@@josephdaly2015I agree! Whenever I have stuff for the charity shop I fill a superfluous plastic bag. Great way to get rid of and re-purpose.
I did such a nice pile of laundry while watching this 😊
Also, had a laugh when you said you saw a corner of the table and then the table is round 😅
Haha, I guess that's very true.😁
You are a saint to be able to clean out that fridge with the owners standing behind you offering running commentary. A saint for sure.
Great job! Love your mom! I enjoyed the "movie" of putting on the couch cover - making a humorous "Keystone Cops" type of film was a great idea! Looking forward to the next video!
Thank you!
We loved that video too! It just goes to show how difficult a sheet with the elastic is to put on anything sometimes! Great job mom and Bonnie!
I adore your mom, so sweet and such a lively lady for her age! ❤
Your old-time movie was hilarious! Those covers are monsters to put on. It looked great at the end.
As I see the plastic shopping bags go I 😢! In 🇨🇦 we got rid of one use plastic, we don’t get plastic bags anymore 😭 I have to say you handled cleaning the fridge with her like a champ. BTW a your Mom is hilarious! There’s a special place in heaven for you Mack, Barbie, your Mom……. Keep the videos coming 🥰
Yeah, I wish I could get those. I use them for trash, now I have to buy single purpose kitchen trash bags, so we’re no farther ahead!
You from New Jersey?
@@louisedillon6797 no Canada 🇨🇦
I try not to get them all the time, but they're great for cleaning the litter box.
I normally find the HOA policies to be very restrictive and unreasonable but I totally agree with a HOA policy that prevents homes, property, pets and people from being ruined or destroyed by a hoarding situation. You all are doing an excellent job and should be very proud of yourselves. Keep up the great work. 🥳😘
I wish hoarding was more seriously regulated because it’s such a fire hazard and danger to EMTs that have to enter a house.
I agree and because this is a duplex, the fire hazard and insect infestation are paramount.
Yes, I totally agree. It's hard to explain to someone with hoarding disorder that they aren't being picked on, but that these kind of regulations are in place for, not only their safety, but the neighbors as well.
Yeah like because of the hoa intervention this house is going to get fixed up before it gets even more overwhelming. Also so many hoarded house become destroyed after years of things piling up and fixtures being unreachable if they're broken or leaking. Because she was forced to clean this up by the hoa she probably will revert because cleaning the house doesn't treat the hoarding disorder and the root of why she's hoarding. I hope that she is able to keep things safe after you're done because living in a house full of stuff to a point where you can't comfortably walk through it has to be stressfu.
Holy cow that fridge with the bags!! I’ve never seen those used like that. That house is so overwhelming bc it’s not gross it’s just tons and tons of stuff. I love the happy atmosphere y’all had! That has to be so encouraging to the family. You guys are amazing!
Yes, that was my first time seeing shopping bags used like that in the fridge. It was kind of helpful though to contain what was kept in them so that, if they did leak anything, it didn't get everywhere. But that's probably also part of the problem is that you can't see what is in your fridge so you forget what's there.🤷♀️😊
Well, areas of neglect seem to get pretty gross.
@@ABeautifulMessExtremeCle-zl1wp i think using those kind of bags in the fridge keeps what is in them hidden, thus less likely used. out of sight, out of mind kind of thing.
Amazing job as usual, you and Mac are so lovable. Loved the Laurel and Hardy video. 😊❤
Thank you so much!!😄
I give you so much credit for working with the home owners. That can be very difficult and frustrating at times.👍👍👍
Your mom is just the cutest! I love it when she helps you.
You deserve the Medal of Valor for tackling that fridge. Sulis Minerva!
What patience you show the homeowner, what a mammoth task. Well done to all of you.
I love your mom she's so funny and its great seeing the two of you together. What a phenomenal job all of you ladies did as well as the homeowners 🎉
Hellooo Bonnie great video.
Thank you!
I can totally relate with wanting to keep empty boxes.
They’re too functional looking to throw away, right? I get it!
Well, my husband and I agreed, they had to go.
Then, 2 months later, (ago) we decided to downsize and sell our home. Now today, we will grab a bunch of huge boxes to start packing! 😂
It's a good thing there are so many of us box hoarders around so that, when you decide to get rid of boxes, there is always someone eager to take them and, when you need boxes, you can usually just look in the free section on Facebook or something and find a box hoarder getting rid of theirs. 😂😂They are so useful!!
Thanks!
You're so sweet. I really, really appreciate the donation! Thanks so much!❤️🙏
@@ABeautifulMessExtremeCle-zl1wp ❤️
This is lovely! I also have been enjoying a hoarders heart. I will always be a recovering hoarder. She does a great job dealing with her hoard. It’s inspiring how she speaks to herself. If you are watching this lady in the video, check her out. It’s great. Also, Marie Kondo.
I actually told her she should go check out A Hoarder's Heart. I think it would be great for her to hear advice straight from another hoarder.
Remi Clog is another great channel,@@ABeautifulMessExtremeCle-zl1wp. She has ADHD and cleans for people who have health challenges also.
Minimal mom is an awesome one too
Love all of this Bonnie. What a great transformation on both rooms. Also love how you and your Mom work together.
When you were talking about words like stationary and stationery, it brought back a childhood memory of never being able to remember which spelling went with which definition and checking my dictionary each time!
😁❤️👍
I am a minimalist and this video is giving me anxiety. I would have gotten rid of everything single thing.
Great job having patience and compassion. I simply could not do this.
Oh that fridge! 😮 Great job cleaning it out!
Every time I watch one of your videos I go on a cleaning rampage!!!
Cleaning rampage 😅 hilarious
Oh my God yes the chalk was the worst part every time I saw that stupid Chalk I was like why do we have to do this that's gotta be another solution, that chalk would freak me out!
They had those hand things that went over your ring and middle finger to protect them and I remember thinking I had found my answer to not having to use chalk. However, my coaches still wanted me to put chalk on those. I used as little as possible. Even talking about chalk right now makes me cringe.😬
Watching everything get hyper cleaned is kind of fun 😊
Truly remarkable!!!!!!
The fridge... glad you did that.
Bless your heart for your compassion and dedication to helping others, awesome job!
Thank you so much!
I came here from the collab video with You, Barbie, and Midwest Magic, ol' what's-his-name.
I don't think anyone knows his real name.😁 I'm not even sure if Mack is his real name or if he is going to come out someday and tell us all that he has been playing a big joke on us and his real name is Robert or something.🤔 Regardless, I'm glad you're here!😊❤️❤️
Bonnie! You are such an angel, with so much compassion, and understanding! xoxo
WOW !! You guys worked like crazy !! Great job !! 👏👏👏👏👏👍 ❤🇨🇦
Wow, your mum is such a hard worker! (As are you and all the helpers you've had on this clean). What an amazing, kind effort. Well done!
Wow thanks for the info on chromosome 14 - I watch Mack but don’t remember hearing this so Yay
Yeah, I found that so fascinating when I heard that.
😂 You are delightful! Your comments (and your mum's) had me cracking up!!!!!
😊 Aw, thank you!
Wow! What a difference!
I think the thing I like best about your videos is that you involve the people gat you’re helping. It makes it trickier to film, but it just makes so much more sense.
Yes, there is that balance between wanting them to help because I think they have a higher chance of success when they are helping, but it can be very tricky working with the homeowner right there. There have been days working at this house that I was able to work in another room more on my own so the filming was a little easier and there were less distractions, but she is still plugging along in another room sorting through boxes and bags that we are giving her.
Thanks for your support!💕🙏
I found that the You Tube channel ''A Hoarders Heart'' gave me a good insight of how a hoarder thinks and what techniques helped her to go from a Level 4 hoarder (scale 1-5) to a Level 1. Her videos started about 5 years ago. Good to watch from the start.
I actually mentioned to her that she should start following that channel. I listen to an interview with her that was very insightful and have watched a couple of her videos just to understand the hoarding mindset a little better. I think she would be very helpful for "Julie."
I save the plastic supermarket bags for cleaning the litter boxes
Yes. Especially since in certain areas they're always threatening to ban them.
I use them as trash bags. Many people I know do. Also for cat litter.
And I collect the extras to take to Walmart for recycling. I have a couple bags of bags in my car right now.
Bonnie I just love your videos. They are a nice combination of sped up and normal speed and you're humility is so charming.
Wonderful job! 💜
Thank you! 😊
Goodness! You all did a lot of hard work! Lots of progress!
Love ❤
My mom was a neat hoarder and my dad was a not neat hoarder. After health problems and a bad marriage I became a semi neat hoarder. I’m trying read to do my last bag of mail. I shredded 4 bags already. Yes I clean. Yes I try to keep order but at times I just can’t. 😊
You are fantastic for all you do to help this family. God Bless you for all you do.
Thanks so much.❤️🙏
You’re so sweet.
The fridge cleaning was very satisfying to watch!
yes it was but if the fridge wasn't working (I thought I heard her say that) then I wouldn't be keeping anything in there.
Great job everyone!
Hi, Bonnie and mum! Wow that was some amazing work you just did. When you said you used to be a gymnast, that explains why you look so slim and agile ( not to mention all the cleaning of course, lol) Thanks also to your other helper!
LOL! That was over 30 years ago that I was a gymnast, but, yes, I have always tried to stay active. In fact, sitting and doing nothing is one of the worst things that I can imagine.😁 Relaxing is very hard for me.🤪
@@ABeautifulMessExtremeCle-zl1wp I know what you mean, Bonnie, I get bad back and hip pain if I sit around. I like to get something done each day.
Super job with all the help you had. Hopefully she can get on the right track. God bless her heart.
I am in awe of your work!
Nice job. Huge undertaking
Thanks 👍
You are very good at what you do. There is no way, no way I could do this. Cleaning for someone who is basically micro-managing you who doesn't clean it is insane. I would have been so frustrated, and anxiety would have been through the roof. Bless you and your Mom for helping this family. I still say horders buy more of what they have because they can't find things. And it becomes more and more things. I hope they continue with the cleaning because there is still a lot to do. I'm surprise they didn't have rats. Awesome job as always ❤❤
I know it probably does look like the homeowner isn't helping that much, but she was busy going through boxes of stuff that we would give to her. It's hard to show that though when I'm trying to keep her anonymous. We actually didn't want her moving around a lot because there was one particular day she was helping kind of all over the house and kept going up and down the stairs and, by the end of the day, her feet were so swollen that she could barely walk for the next couple of days. She sent me a picture and it looked awful. 😬 But, I can totally see how it does look like I'm being micromanaged while cleaning. There were a couple of times I felt like that, but for the most part, I was able to work on my own and then just give her boxes to sort through.
Bonnie, you and your mom have the same smile!😊❤
😄
Holy cow amazing!!!
Great job to not only you, but everyone that was there helping... coming together to help someone who needs it.👏👏👏 keep up the awesome job!
Thanks 👍
So much work! And patience!
You and your mom are super people!
I was impressed that the husband was helping. As you say it must be very distressing to live with a hoarder and he must have run out of patience many a time but he is still there helping with the task in hand.
24:06 - I think you're absolutely right about speeding it up more so we're not trying to make out the conversation. As someone with sensory issues specifically around people speaking, that solved the problem for me!
Oh, good. I appreciate the feedback!
Great job
It is so wonderful to see you help this family so tremendously. You and your team are wonderful at helping andvnot being judgemental towards people or their stuff.
Bonnie, you and your team are champs! Your Mom is adorable
I don’t doubt a genetic predisposition to hoarding. Is it nature or nurture?
My husband, retired Air Force flight engineer and mechanic, always says… it’s a combination of things that come together just at the right time to cause an accident, incident or situation.
So does she have genetics? Trauma? Modeling from parents? Or perhaps all?
Nobody knows 🤷🏻♀️
Best to proceed with caring and kindness
Well said!😊❤️👍
I would give up body parts to do this with my mom, you are so lucky.
All I can say is bless ur heart for helping these folks. A helping hand is a great start.❤
Your mom vacuuming the couch is slaying me. 😂
Loved loved loved the funny little film in the middle....I laughed so much 😂😂😂
Gosh this home is overwhelming, I can't wait to see more progress!
love love love to you
Genetics are so fascinating!
You guys made a huge difference to all 3 rooms. The stuff in the living and dining room is so much less, without throwing anything away that she wanted to keep. Fantastic job already, and I can't wait to see how much more of an improvement the end result is!❤
Truly awesome army of helpers.
Your mom is 👍 great ❤
The best!
One more thing I want to say is that I am currently clearing out my parents house. They lived there for 65 years and never thew anything away. Dad died and we built mum a little home in our garden where she is comfortable and safe. I would not let her bring much of anything with her that wasn't essential or for fun. But the clearance job is soul destroying and exhausting. It's taken me months because I just don't want to go. I am doing it all on my own, whilst looking after her more than I had realised was going to be necessary and trying to work at my business, and I struggle with hypothyroidism so get quickly exhausted.
The hidden part of working in all this mess and old stuff is the dust. It's everywhere. I feel dried up when I leave. My lungs feel the same. It often gives me a headache and makes me flush as my body tries to deal with the histamine flare. We don't see any of that in a cleaning channel. We see the mess and dirt, but you really have to feel it all over and inside your body to really appreciate the amazing work you do. I can't wait to finish. I don't think I have too far to go now. Just the terrible task of the loft and dad's garage and garden store and a few more odds and ends. But then I will have to take the carpets up and that's going to be a mask wearing job. Everyone, on YT or just quietly in the background, who takes on this sort of work to help people are amazing.
And yes, mum had bags and bags and bags stuffed with bags! And bags of pieces of scrap cardboard to write on despite having loads of notebooks. And everything was stored in a carrier bag done up with a plastic clip!
Watch out for mold in these situations, too.
While not a hoarder, I do have more than I need and am working on it so I don't leave a problem for my kids.
@@beckiejani7782 I don't seem to have found much mould. There will be some behind some of the bigger furniture I'm sure, but the furniture is going out last and I will be getting house clearance in to do it. So that won't really be my concern. I will speak to an estate agent at that point and see if they think I should do anything more to it or just leave it. No one is going to buy and just move in. It needs stripping back too the brick and starting again.
That is the saddest thing to me about hoarding or even just having way more stuff than we need. You can't take it with you when you die, and then it just leaves a burden for your kids. That's why I love the concept of Swedish death cleaning and not leaving this sort of mess for your kids to deal with. I want them to have good memories of me, not that I left them with a huge burden.
I'm glad you are getting to the point of almost being done. That sounds like a huge task!
I really feel for this person. I love your mom. I wish I had a mother like yours. She is awesome! I enjoy your videos. I also watch Midwest magic cleaners. I cleaned and organized my attic space. I was not a horder in my earlier years, however, I find myself now having hard time getting rid of stuff. God bless you ladies for helping her.
I don't believe I've ever seen soooo much stuff in my life. Wow, no one needs 90 percent of that. I don't believe she got rid of enough that's for sure.
She hasn't really gotten rid of anything yet. I have been trying to get her to do her yard sale since the second week we have been working there and it has yet to happen. Right now, we are just organizing things into categories and throwing away some trash, but if we don't start actually selling or donating stuff, I don't think I can continue working there because I don't like just shifting stuff around. Yes, it might be a little more organized, but it will just end up the same way unless she actually gets rid of stuff. I'm going to let her know this is going to be my last week working there unless she has a yard sale this weekend and sells a lot of stuff and donates what doesn't sell.
Interesting comment about the hereditary factor of hoarding. My mom was a hoarder my sister is a massive hoarder and thankfully I was able to break that cycle on my own. It hurt but I did it!
Wow!! What an accomplishment. That was a lot to do.
Sweet heart all I can say is God bless you 🙏❤️.
I love your work and you and Barbie do a wonderful job oh and I like Mike. God bless you 🙏
Thank you. ❤️🙏
Another great video! God bless you. I hope these people appreciate everything that you’re doing for them. I hope it makes your life better.
So much excess. I find myself thinking of all the money spent that could have been used elsewhere. I give you credit for your patience in dealing with situation. Hopefully she will get mental help as well so this will not just be cyclical both for her sake & her family.
That black and white movie of the couch cover was hilarious! I was laughing out loud. You all did an amazing job in that dining room. I'm not sure how anyone can stand to take all that rotten stuff out of a refrigerator. However, I know I have seen worse in other videos. Much, much worse. As far as the HOA goes I'm not saying whether I agree or disagree with their policies. I was just surprised that they knew anything about the inside of the house. They still would not have known if the owner had not agreed to let them in. I doubt they could have gotten any kind of a legal search warrant. However, it's much more understandable for them to get involved in a duplex type of situation.
Yeah, I'm not sure about all the legalities of the HOA involvement, but once I thought more about it being a duplex and having your neighbor actually connected to your house it does make sense that someone needs to check on these kinds of things so that it doesn't become a hazard for the neighbor as well.
You are a Wonder Woman. I love watching you changing peoples lives and homes.