Hoarder house transformation | Decluttering a hoarder house

This video documents my experience of decluttering a hoarder house. Watch this amazing hoarder house transformation with before and after footage inside the house!
Out of respect for the home owner, their identity is kept private.
Thank you for watching!
Mel x
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Some of my favourite video playlists:
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[@SimplyMel]

I’ve had comments asking why I didn’t film more of the process while in the house. Simply put, it was out of respect to the deceased who was extremely private and never let anyone into his house, and the family. As well as the other people decluttering the house who did not wish to appear on film. Thanks for understanding! x

[@lebe6863]

I think you filmed loads this is one the best videos I have seen. Rest in peace to the owner. I dont want to leave a legacy like this to my kids. I want to stop it now and reverse it as soon as possible that is why I am here looking for help any advice greatly appreciated xx

[@SimplyMel]

le be thank you so much! I’m glad you found it helpful! I have a free decluttering training on my website which will give you practical tips to help you get started! 😀 www.simplymelliving.com

[@lumijasminasmr3583]

I am hoarding in recovery. Thank you so much for your hard work. ♥️🙏🏾

[@SimplyMel]

@@lumijasminasmr3583 Thank you for your lovely words! All the best, you can do this. Be patient with yourself, one item at a time 🙂

[@CHSwildcats19]

I thought this video was very respectful of the homeowner and their family. Often these people are elderly and/or disabled and have a shopping/saving compulsion that leads to them getting overwhelmed with stuff & they just can't manage it. Really great video!

[@SimplyMel]

Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words. I agree, it is an illness and it is more common than I realised. Have a great week!

[@lifeismycanvas]

this really reminded me of my old house about 8 years ago, It wasn't quite at the level of this one but close. Took me a long time to declutter, truthfully I'm still decluttering.

[@christinabo63]

Keep going and keep in mind that every baby step brings you closer to your goal, whatever that may be. I'm rooting for you from Germany because I was and am on a similar journey as you are. 💐

[@SimplyMel]

That is fantastic, be proud of how far you have come! I am still decluttering as well - it's definitely a long process but well worth the effort!

[@SimplyMel]

I love this so much, and wish you well on your own decluttering journey! 😊

[@lifeismycanvas]

Thank you ladies, I needed the encouragement today. I've been working on my craft room and struggling. I love everything but I know I can't use it all, seems too hard to decide!

[@SimplyMel]

@@lifeismycanvas one way of deciding is putting every item into a packing box, and only unpacking items as you use them. Set a date in the future, eg. 1 month, 3 months. After that time, anything you have not used/taken out of the box gets decluttered. Good luck - you've got this!

[@MariaMartinez-wq7sh]

Wowww 👏🏻, the AFTER looks amazing. Great Job 👍🏻 😀

[@SimplyMel]

Thank you! Have a wonderful week :-)

[@loreneknight9755]

First of all, GOD BLESS YOU!!! This was hard to watch. It must have been very difficult for you, dear lady. I'm humbled by you & your willingness to take on this overwhelming challenge. Wow we zowie!!! Keep on fighting the good fight!!

[@SimplyMel]

Lorene Knight thank you so much! It was a mammoth task but so worth it! 😃

[@jessicagoodwin3408]

It's not often a house this hoarded has decent donations in it! That's so good to see, it's not all in a landfil. Thank you for your hard work! Had the homeowner passed on?

[@SimplyMel]

Jessica Goodwin thank you! Yes it was a deceased estate.

[@RebeccaShepherd]

Omg Mel wow what an eye opener. Suddenly I don't feel like my house is that messy or disorganised. But what an experience for you as a minimalist

[@SimplyMel]

Rebecca Shepherd thanks for watching! Yes, it’s kind of unbelievable until you are in it, trying to clear a path through. Definitely a great experience - decluttering in my own home is now a piece of cake in comparison! 😄

[@charlenejackson6236]

You guys did a great job.

[@SimplyMel]

Charlene Jackson thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment! We were really pleased with the result ☺️

[@melissastugis38]

God bless you for your help with getting this house cleaned out. How can a person live like this and no one knows about it? To much stuff to have.

[@SimplyMel]

Thank you so much! The decreased was a very private person. He would not allow people into his home and made himself quite uncontactable to friends and family.

[@jennygibbons1258]

Amazing 😲 Great job! ☺

[@SimplyMel]

Jenny Gibbons thank you so much for watching and for your lovely message!☺️

[@NINJAROSE347]

Great job proud of you

[@SimplyMel]

Thank you, it was a pretty huge job! I hope your family are safe and well.

[@rachaelbean1439]

Interesting seeing a hoarding video set in our lovely NZ and recognising the brands. Especially blacksacks.

[@SimplyMel]

Hi Rachael! Thanks so much for watching! Yes, love my hometown and miss a lot of things about it (maybe not the wind so much!) ☺

[@EzinOz]

Wow. Simply wow. I’m about to embark on a clean up of my grandpa’s estate. He was a hoarder and I’m unsure where to start. I really liked how to methodically went through each room and donated so much.

[@SimplyMel]

Erin Aust thank you! It’s a massive task - just take it one step at a time and it will get done 😃

[@alanbirkner1958]

My mother had moldy books and moldy clothes. She also had spoiled food. My brother and I used to try to help her clear out but she refused counseling and got angry. My dad kept it under control until he died. Tina

[@SimplyMel]

I'm sorry to hear that. It is a hard and tiring job. There was spoiled food (not a lot) and vermin in the house but I was trying to be respectful in not filming certain things as it was a relative of mine.

[@RebeccaShepherd]

What a transformation mel

[@SimplyMel]

Rebecca Shepherd it’s amazing huh! Such a sweet little house 🏡😀

[@01baia]

The house looks surprisingly clean compared with many hoarder houses. It is very hard to keep things clean (eg. walls, cupboards, etc.) with so much stuff. Was it reasonably clean in your opinion, Mel? Maybe it photographed cleaner than it was!

[@SimplyMel]

Hi, I guess it was relatively clean in that the hoarder items were old food or perishable items. However there was a lot of dust and dirt that had built up, hence the masks we were wearing! 😀

[@lebe6863]

This is what my shed looks like and so I need to try sort through it as it's been years and years of build up

[@SimplyMel]

You can do it! Just start a little bit at a time. Delegate a space to set aside the things you want to declutter. At present, it’s hard to find places to take donations. However there are still people who will pick up free items from your front porch / front of your house.

[@sandramcdaniel2]

Great job! Very Inspiring.

[@SimplyMel]

Thank you so much! I'm stoked that you found this inspiring! ☺

[@sandramcdaniel2]

Simply Mel 😊👍🏻

[@maramilas1975]

Time lapse is useful. And fun to watch. 👍

[@SimplyMel]

Mara Milas thank you so much for your lovely comment - I’m very happy you enjoyed watching! ☺️

[@jamoss9123]

You's need a few skip bins instead of mucking around with trash and as soon as you have enough for a car load to donate take it away so it's not too much once done

[@SimplyMel]

jamie shoesmith thanks! Yep we looked into getting a skip but there was nowhere to put it except the road and that would’ve cost extra for a permit. So we decided to get the rubbish collectors in at the end. We took carloads to donate at the end of each day but it was too much - the donation truck even had to make 2 visits to collect all the furniture, clothes and books. Astounding huh! 😃

[@JOHN-ht6zc]

Great JOB

[@SimplyMel]

Erik Lindo thank you!

[@lechat8533]

This world and we, her people, are totally out of balance...

[@SimplyMel]

Le Chat yes, so much stuff...

[@lechat8533]

@@SimplyMel Yes. Clutter in our homes, in our minds but especially in our hearts. You did a wonderful job. It`s a pity you don`t show more of the process itself. I wish you all the best in 2020 :) Friendly greetings from Slovenia :)

[@SimplyMel]

Le Chat thank you! Wishing you all the best for this new decade ☺️

[@afroditigreekmom]

Anyone else getting emotional watching this? I have a mom who likes to hoard things and it has been so difficult to help her. I am going through my own things regularly cause I know how important it is only to have what we absolutely need and it just makes me feel so good when I am not crowded. My work for myself this year is not to buy books but finish and donate the ones I read and begin borrowing from the library. It will save on space and money.

[@SimplyMel]

Bless you! Your mum is very lucky to have you on her side x

[@djpatt81]

This scary I obsessed with books think I use a kindle ebook and declutter some and another I love clothes I need declutter some those I wouldn’t want get that serious

[@SimplyMel]

DragonOrb Draconicwicca I just bought a kindle and love it! Prior to that I would use the kindle app on my iPad. I also borrow a lot of ebooks from the library and read them on my iPad 👌☺️

[@kristisimonson435]

@@SimplyMel Have they invented Kindle for clothes yet?

[@SimplyMel]

@@kristisimonson435 haha what a concept! You should trademark that ;-)

[@janelleculpepper4332]

What was the process of the sorting? How did you decide what was to keep for the family and what was to donate? We’re the family members there with you all sorting the items? Is there a checklist on what to keep? I have a deceased family member that I am helping to de-hoard and it is hard.

[@SimplyMel]

Hi Janelle! I feel for you, it's a difficult process. There were family members sorting, and my best advice is to keep it simple. Any items still good to use were donated - the family only wanted to keep photos and anything similar that would preserve the family history. Take care, Mel

[@kimberly8185]

Is this a complete clear out or is the person coming home? You probably said but I missed it.

[@SimplyMel]

Kimberly Cochran complete clearout! It was a deceased estate.

[@michellemilligan]

Did you throw away the 3 luggages on day 3?

[@TEMPLARBAGGINS]

final hand truck count: F I V E

[@SimplyMel]

I'm not sure, but my Dad said there were quite a few truckfuls that went to charity and to the rubbish tip!

[@Pinktoolbox]

Amazing job 🌸 is this your job or just a one time thing?

[@SimplyMel]

Hi, I’m a decluttering coach but the hoarder job was a one-off 😀

[@joytoyouandme4593]

Most garbage companies have a large bin that can be dropped for massive rubbage. Then things only have to be moved once, from the house to the bin. Saves on cost.

[@SimplyMel]

Joy to you and me that was our preferred method, but unfortunately there just wasn’t anywhere to put a large bin.

[@Upgradeyourlifetoday]

Is this nz? I could do with a cleaner to help me declutter and organise

[@SimplyMel]

Cee Enn yes it was! I am based in Australia though, I was in NZ for 2 weeks to clear out the house. I have a free video training to help you kickstart decluttering! It is available at my website www.simplymelliving.com 😀

[@mht095]

I wish you had shown the process ...

[@SimplyMel]

Mojdeh H.Tehrani it would have been good to have someone film me while I decluttered. Unfortunately we were short on space and time so it was all hands on deck! Generally filming increases the time it takes to do something by about 2-3 times, as I’ve found when I make cleaning videos! I could do a video talking about how I tackled the job, as it is a process 😀

[@mht095]

@@SimplyMel 🌸🌸🌸🌷🌷

[@heathercreates8406]

Did the person who lived there pass away? Bless him! Was this a paying job? How did people know to ask u to help?

[@SimplyMel]

Hi there! Thanks so much for watching! Yes, unfortunately he had passed away and I know the family.

[@shegoeslightly]

This puts me off going to op shops. Clothing and books from houses, stacked with rotten food and bad hygiene 🤢 I'd toss everything..

[@SimplyMel]

I totally understand how you feel. I was little apprehensive before we went in. However, we were pleasantly surprised at how clean the house was, for the state it was in. The only rotting food we found was the normal groceries that you'd buy each week, that had been sitting there for a couple of weeks since the owner had passed away. The rest was a lot of clutter mixed with dust bunnies, but so many brand new books, DVDs and clothes. We did check everything carefully and only donated the new or really good quality condition items 😀

[@marievilla8861]

Years of accumulation

[@SimplyMel]

Yes, decades worth!

[@Robug44]

💜👍

[@SimplyMel]

Rose Savage thank you 🙏😊

[@gailchiu]

This house did not have a fridge or washer or dryer? It's surprising to not have a fridge.

[@SimplyMel]

Gail C I agree! I think possibly why the owner had so many new clothes stockpiled.

[@mountainviewvintage386]

Man it was tough i bet not having a space outside to sort & bring out stuff.

[@SimplyMel]

Thanks for watching! Yes, it was a challenge but somehow we made it work! 😃

[@markussirtl5080]

Maybe you Yan do a time lapse video the next time?

[@SimplyMel]

Hello! Thanks so much for watching. I wasn't really able to film a lot during this job, but I have a ton of other videos with time lapses where I have decluttered! For example, this kitchen with over 50 years of items to be sorted through! :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2W7iKF8ga2JnK8

[@michellefarris3961]

Poor animals

[@SimplyMel]

The neighbours came around while we were decluttering and said they were taking care of them - at least one was adopted by a neighbour 😀

[@maggiegnzlz]

🙅

[@SimplyMel]

It's a lot, isn't it!

[@maggiegnzlz]

@@SimplyMel too much! Wow

[@KT-ff8bu]

I thought this video was supposed to show the process not just the progress. Disappointed to be honest.

[@SimplyMel]

K T thank you for for watching and taking the time to provide feedback! I understand - the reason for how this was produced was a couple of factors - prioritising the declutter over filming as that was the primary reason I was there, but also being mindful that the deceased and family wanted to maintain a level of privacy 😀 I know that ppl will be interested in the process so my second video explains it in more detail 😀 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHO8d3p3arJpb7s

[@LilacandJohn]

That much garbage

[@SimplyMel]

Lilac and John I know right! Sooo much garbage 😳

[@LilacandJohn]

@@SimplyMel it's okay friend

[@pattir820]

I hope you had the house treated for mice etc.

[@SimplyMel]

Patti R absolutely 👍

[@ingenuity168]

I've seen worse.

[@SimplyMel]

curiosity 2019 I was glad that there wasn’t more perishable items in there

[@ingenuity168]

@@SimplyMel Right. Other hoarders are just disgusting. Bathtub full of feaces and urine. 🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@kathymatthews4845]

No offense..but this video is boring... It would be better off you showed us you actually cleaning an area at a fast forward speed of video recording... Just saying😉

[@SimplyMel]

kathy matthews thanks for watching! Usually that is the type of video I do when I declutter and clean. However due to circumstances I was not able to do that in this instance 😀

[@herzigharte]

Less talking, more doing.

[@SimplyMel]

Herzig Harte in this instance, it was mostly doing, very small proportion of the time filming as we were there to do a job. Thanks for watching!

[@minnesotagal507]

I agree talk talk talk, repeat repeat repeat. So boring

[@louisehorn8049]

You are not even showing us anything. Havent seen anyone doing anything. Not one person. So boring

[@SimplyMel]

The other people there did not wish to be filmed. I respected their privacy and the wishes of the family, and did not publish anything without consent. Remember that this was someone’s life and home.

[@sweetumsDenise]

Simply Mel Thank you for your work and sharing the before and after with us. I hate that so many people have commented on this video just to complain. Everything isn’t for everyone, but everything doesn’t have to be said either, especially if it’s not constructive, just criticism. I mean, who does that help? No one. Kudos to you for remaining professional in your responses 🤩

[@SimplyMel]

Denise Nicole thank you! I appreciate your message 😃