If you love someone who hoards, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Why can’t they just throw this stuff away?” It’s frustrating. It can feel like your loved one is choosing things over their own safety or happiness. But the truth is, hoarding isn’t just about being messy. It’s often related to a mental health disorder.
Behind the piles of stuff, there’s often a lot of pain. Your loved one might be struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or deep feelings of fear. The clutter you see is only part of the story. This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s talk about what’s really going on—and how you can help.
Hoarding disorder is when someone has a very hard time getting rid of things, even items that seem useless or broken. They feel a strong need to keep things, and just thinking about letting go can cause panic or sadness.
It’s not about laziness. It’s not about being dirty. It’s about how the brain is trying to protect itself. For many people, keeping things feels like a way to stay safe or in control, especially if they’ve been through something hard in life.
Signs of hoarding disorder might include:
When someone you love is living in a home filled with clutter, your first thought might be, “I’ve got to fix this.” You might want to step in, start tossing things, or give them an ultimatum. After all, you care about them and you’re scared for their safety.
But here’s the hard truth: Confronting someone with a hoarding disorder in a harsh or forceful way almost never works. In fact, it can make the problem worse. Hoarding is deeply emotional.
If a person feels judged, cornered, or forced to let go of their things, they may shut down entirely or hold on even tighter.
You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed. But there’s a better way to help.
Here’s what works better:
When you lead with love instead of force, you build trust, which opens the door to real change.
Progress might come slowly, but every step made with patience and compassion is a step in the right direction.
Loving someone with a hoarding disorder isn’t easy. You may feel tired, angry, confused, or even hopeless. You might be trying to help while also juggling work, family, and your own emotions. It’s a lot to carry.
You care deeply, and that’s why you’re here, trying to learn more. But you also need care. Your feelings matter, too.
So many people are in the same situation—quietly worrying about a parent, sibling, spouse, or friend struggling. It can feel isolating, especially if others don’t understand. That’s why it’s important to reach out and get support for yourself, not just for your loved one.
Here are some ways to take care of yourself:
At Bio-One, we’ve seen how tough this road can be for families. That’s why we show up with compassion, not judgment, for your loved one, and for you.
You’re not failing. You’re not alone. You’re doing your best. And that’s enough.
Sometimes, the situation is too big to handle by yourself. That’s where we come in.
At Bio-One of Alabama, we’ve helped thousands of families just like yours. Our trained technicians know how to clean cluttered homes with care and compassion. We don’t judge. We listen, we understand, and we’re here to help.
We work gently and respectfully to make the space safer and more comfortable. And we involve your loved one every step of the way, so they feel more in control and less afraid.
If someone you love has a hoarding disorder, it can feel overwhelming. But with time, support, and understanding, things can get better.
Progress doesn’t happen all at once. But each kind word, each small step, and each moment of support makes a big difference.
And when you need help, we’re here.
How to Help a Loved One With a Hoarding Disorder
Why Cleaning a Hoarding Mess is a Job for a Professional Hoarding Cleanup Service
Hoarding: Recognizing the Signs and Seeking Help. Finding hope and motivationto clean up your home.
Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition where a person has a very hard time getting rid of things. They often feel strong emotional attachments to items and may become overwhelmed or upset when asked to let them go.
No. Hoarding is not the same as being messy or disorganized. It’s a mental health struggle that usually involves deep emotions like fear, anxiety, or past trauma.
For someone with a hoarding disorder, letting go of items can feel scary or painful. What might look like trash to others might feel safe or important to them. Cleaning without their consent can cause stress or damage trust.
Start with kindness and concern. Use “I” statements like “I’m worried about your safety,” and avoid blaming. Focus on how you can support them instead of trying to take control.
This is common. Hoarding can bring up strong feelings. Try to stay calm and patient. Don’t push too hard. Give them time, space, and support. It may help to talk with a counselor or mental health professional for guidance.
No. Throwing items away without permission can break trust and make the situation worse. It’s important to involve your loved one in every step and help them feel safe and respected.
Helping someone with a hoarding disorder can be exhausting. Make time for yourself, set healthy boundaries, talk to a trusted friend, and consider joining a support group. You matter too.
Yes. Many people with hoarding disorder can improve with the right kind of help. Therapy, support from loved ones, and professional cleanup services that understand the emotional side of hoarding can all make a big difference.
If the clutter is unsafe, overwhelming, or beyond what you can manage, it’s time to call in trained professionals. At Bio-One, we approach each cleanup with care, compassion, and respect for your loved one.
Yes. We understand how emotional hoarding can be. Our goal is to make the space safer and more livable while treating everyone involved with dignity. We don’t judge. We’re here to help.
First and foremost, hoarding cleanup is the single most common job we perform for our customers. We are passionate about helping hoarders and their families, and we stand by our work as being the most professional in all of Alabama.
Unlike standard junk removal companies, Bio-One of Alabama is more specific: we help hoarders and their families not only rid their homes of unwanted or discarded items, but we meticulously go through items to salvage what needs to be kept, recover any and all valuables, and then deep clean the home at the end.
Whether the situation is mild hoarding/pack-rat situation, or a property that is biohazardous - Bio-One of Alabama can help.
We also offer financing on our hoarding cleanup services, which is a big help to those on a budget.
All of our technicians are local Alabamians, and our company is family-owned. We serve Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Cullman, Anniston and everywhere in between. We also have a Huntsville location and Montgomery location.
Call Bio-One of Alabama today for your free hoarding cleanup estimate: (205) 937-1708
Bio-One of Alabama is Alabama's clutter removal specialist. Known for services such as hoarding cleanup, biohazard cleanup, gross filth cleaning, deep cleaning, and other services such as mold remediation, odor removal, animal feces cleanup and more - Bio-One also helps with decluttering and junk removal.
Whether you have a garage filled with things you want to transport to storage or get rid of, or your home is in need of some decluttering, or if you want to donate some personal belongings, Bio-One of Alabama can help.
If what you need is more of a professional organization situation, we also work with partners who can help with systems so that your home can become more organized.
What to expect with you call Bio-One:
Give Bio-One of Alabama a call today at (205) 937-1708. We serve Birmingham, Hoover, Cullman, Jasper, Tuscaloosa, Anniston and All Of North & Central Alabama.
First and foremost, hoarding cleanup is the single most common job we perform for our customers. We are passionate about helping hoarders and their families, and we stand by our work as being the most professional in all of Alabama.
Unlike standard junk removal companies, Bio-One of Alabama is more specific: we help hoarders and their families not only rid their homes of unwanted or discarded items, but we meticulously go through items to salvage what needs to be kept, recover any and all valuables, and then deep clean the home at the end.
Whether the situation is mild hoarding/pack-rat situation, or a property that is biohazardous - Bio-One of Alabama can help.
We also offer financing on our hoarding cleanup services, which is a big help to those on a budget.
All of our technicians are local Alabamians, and our company is family-owned. Our Birmingham location serves Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Cullman, Anniston and everywhere in between. We also have a Huntsville location and Montgomery location.
Call Bio-One of Alabama today for your free hoarding cleanup estimate: (205) 937-1708
Bio-One of Alabama is Birmingham's only, local and family-owned hoarding cleanup specialist. We are passionate about helping people and their families with hoarding cleanup and junk removal, and now it's even more affordable.
Starting right now in 2024, we now offer financing on all of our hoarding cleanup services (as well as all of our other cleanup services such as biohazard cleanup, mold remediation, sewage backup, odor removal, rodent droppings cleanup, and more.
Unlike others in Alabama, Bio-One is actually locally owned, and we are very passionate about helping others. We don't just come in your home like a tornado and throw away all of your stuff - we work with you and your family to go through all of your belongings, formulate a comprehensive game plan, and then make the cleanup process smooth, stress-free, and efficiently timed so you can save money.
Please call Bio-One today to ask about how you can obtain financing for your next hoarding cleanup.
Our Birmingham office phone number is: 205-937-1708 and our website is www.BioOneAlabama.com
For those elsewhere in Alabama, we also have a local office in Huntsville, and Montgomery.
There are varied reasons people hang on to things they don’t need based on their circumstances or deeper-lying struggles. A cluttered home—even one that would qualify as a Level 5 situation—doesn’t stem from laziness or lack of willpower.
More often than not, a cluttered home is the result of a difficult-to-control situation, which is part of normal life.
What’s the source of your clutter? Following, are a few factors that may be contributing to your at-home clutter:
Having children can bring an abundance of joy, but also plenty of clutter.
Baby gear that is only used for a short period of time, rapidly changing clothes sizes, and piles of toys accumulate quickly.
It doesn’t end with the baby phase, though. As all guardians know, older kids and teens bring their own messes into the home.
Food-related messes combined with sleep deprivation can make it difficult to keep up with housework.
With children leaving clutter everywhere and food-related messes needing immediate care, it can be difficult to keep up with housework. Especially when you consider the sleep deprivation that also comes with kids.
Between art and science projects on the counter and smelly gym bags and laundry
left around the house, things can get (or stay!) messy.
It doesn’t help that children aren’t well-known for cleaning up after themselves!
As adults age, they may struggle to keep up with their housework.
Think of all the reaching and bending over. Consider all the hard scrubbing. With health issues, simple cleaning tasks take much longer to accomplish, if it can still be done.
Decreased mobility and increased health issues can make cleaning overwhelming or even impossible.
In addition, it can be difficult to let go of possessions accumulated over a lifetime.
Anxiety can make it difficult to throw away possessions.
People with anxiety may hold on to items in excess in case of a feared emergency or indecision about what to do with items.
Finding the motivation to clean and declutter is often a struggle for someone suffering from depression.
The stress of an out-of-control home situation (whether it’s actually out of control
or simply perceived to be) can create a negative feedback loop.
For example, maybe you’re struggling with depression and lack the motivation to do the dishes. This means the dishes quickly pile up and within a week or two every surface in your kitchen could be covered in dirty dishes.
Now, you’re facing an overwhelming mess that can make you feel even worse—piling on exhaustion, guilt, and shame—and making you even less likely to find the motivation to clean up.
This cycle can leave those struggling with depression feeling more overwhelmed and less able to approach their home situation.
Individuals with ADHD often have intense, passionate interests and may accumulate items related to that interest. In addition, it can be difficult for a person with ADHD to create and stay focused on a plan for a big cleaning project. Anytime there are multiple steps involved, it’s easy for people with ADHD to get distracted.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by obsessive, intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. People with OCD sometimes deal with anxieties and emergencies by compulsively buying items. They may have obsessions about running out of essential items or a buying ritual that is difficult to break out of.
Trauma can be a trigger for accumulating clutter. If someone grew up without:
They may feel driven to hold onto things rather than throw them away when they are no longer needed. Research shows that childhood emotional abuse and physical neglect in particular predict higher levels of hoarding symptoms.
People who have experienced loss may also accumulate possessions to soothe the ache of missing their loved one. Buying new things triggers a brief dopamine high, bringing temporary emotional relief.
If you grew up in a home where clutter was common, you are more likely to show these behaviors yourself. You may have a genetic disposition toward it through related diagnoses like anxiety or depression. You may also be more used to an environment where clutter, mess, and even the higher levels of hoarding are the norm.
No matter the reason clutter starts, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and stressed by the situation. Home maintenance is a big task under any conditions. Certain factors can make the situation feel impossible such as:
Stress can lead to disorganized homes, and disorganized homes can increase stress. Natalie Christine Dattilo, PhD, clinical health psychologist and instructor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, calls it a chicken-or-egg dilemma.
“Recent studies have shown that clutter in our homes is associated with higher cortisol levels [our stress hormone], but it’s still unclear which comes first,” says Dattilo.
“Is it that when we are under stress, our ability to maintain a well-organized home becomes impaired? Or when our home is in disarray, does that make us feel more stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious?”
Regardless of the root of the issue, there is a way out. Resources are available to help you deal with your home situation. Bio-One can help! Our services can help ease your stress. For more information on how we can help you with your clutter call (205) 937-1708.
The word “hoarding” probably evokes a particular image, made more common by shows like Hoarders that highlight extreme examples. In reality, not all hoarders have rooms full of items piled high to the ceiling.
The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (now, there’s a relatable title!) has classified hoarding behavior into five levels on their Clutter-Hoarding Scale.Level 1 Hoarding
At Level 1, a home is not pristine, but the space is still easily accessible and sanitary. There is clutter, but no concern for safety. Most, if not all of us, have been in Level 1. Many people spend most of their time in this stage.
Here are the defining characteristics of this level:
At Level 2, the home is still very livable, but there’s more evidence of disarray. The home is in need of cleaning and may be starting to overwhelm the residents. The hygiene level isn’t optimal.
Most of us bounce between Level 1 and Level 2. However, here are the more defining characteristics of Level 2:
Level 3 is considered the turning point between manageable household disorganization and a more serious issue. Level 3 homes show extreme disorganization and indicate hoarding behavior.
Here are the defining characteristics of this level:
Level 3 households should consider hiring outside help. Although, it’s still possible to get it under control with a concerted effort from the whole family
At Level 4, the home shows excessive clutter.Those living in Level 4 conditions need professional help. At this level, part of getting help includes professional cleaning to transform the house into a safe, hygienic space where people can thrive. Mental health counselors and social workers may also step in to help residents change their habits.
Here are the defining characteristics of this level:
Level 5 is the highest level of hoarding behavior. Level 5 homes are alarmingly hazardous.
They require professionals with safety equipment and training to clean.
Here are the defining characteristics of this level:
If you or someone you know is struggling with these levels of hoarding we are here to help.
You can find more information at https://bioonealabama.com/ or contact us at (205) 937-1708
Bio-One of Alabama is your go-to source for all help with Hoarding Cleanup. Located locally in Birmingham, Bio-One offers Hoarding Cleanup Services throughout all of Jefferson County, as well as Hoover, Tuscaloosa, Jasper, Anniston, Clanton, Cullman - and with our two other local offices in Huntsville and Montgomery, we offer Hoarding Cleanup Services throughout the State of Alabama.
Unlike other "junk removal companies" who just come to your home and simply throw everything away, Bio-One takes a more comprehensive, compassionate approach. When you hire Bio-One to help solve your Hoarding problems, this is what you will expect:
Call Bio-One today for a free, no obligation estimate for Hoarding Cleanup at (205) 937-1708.
Clutter is an everyday occurrence and there comes a point when we all need to clean up our messes. Leave things long enough, and we all start to fall into one of the 5 levels of hoarding.
But what are the 5 levels of hoarding?
What moves a messy room from Level 2 to Level 3?
Understanding the hoarding level of your space can help you prioritize which messes are one-person tasks and which may need some help from a back-up team.
Let’s walk through each level of the Institute for Challenging Disorganization’s Clutter-Hoarding Scale to better understand just how normal hoarding is.
There’s no doubt that many of us would like our homes to look as pristine as a real estate listing ad. But life’s hectic! With busy work and family schedules, numerous responsibilities and obligations, and competing priorities it’s easy to put off a small mess for later. However those moments of procrastination stack up to put our home at a Level 1.
Signs of this level of hoarding include clutter and messes that do not threaten your safety:
Ok, that last one MIGHT be dangerous if you’re barefoot.
None of these messes block exits in your home, and they do not cause an immediate bad odor. If we’re honest, we can admit that all of us—at one point or another—have had our home come in on this level of the hoarding scale.
Leaving your house in this state does not necessarily affect your health.
However, it may exacerbate avoidance habits that lead to snacking and more procrastination—which might lead to more clutter, shifting you up the scale.
This is another common level of hoarding. Most of us frequently bounce between Level 1’s clutter and Level 2’s disarray.
At this level, things literally begin to stack up:
At Level 2, the clutter can begin to impact a variety of areas of our lives. Some studies claim intense clutter increases our stress, makes allergies worse, and overall causes us to feel less satisfied with life.
These negative impacts are sometimes the trigger that leads to the situation getting worse.
Level 3 is where things begin to get concerning.
At this point, the mess itself may seem too daunting to tackle, and the increase in clutter results in a decline of cleanliness. There may be piles of objects obstructing multiple exits—or even a whole room used for storage instead of living.
It’s at this stage that pest infestations may become an issue. With the clutter, there are lots of places for unwelcome pests to hide and find food, and infestations of ants, lice, and cockroaches may warrant an exterminator. However, all that clutter makes it difficult for the exterminator to do a good job. Unfortunately, failing to clean up the source may set the stage for another infestation within a few weeks.
Another area of concern may be repairs needed around the home. Work may need to be done, but technicians or repair personnel may not be able to physically get to whatever needs to be fixed. This means small problems may become large ones as minor repairs are left to turn into bigger problems.
This state of things deeply impacts your ability to socialize. Messy and infested living spaces make it difficult to relax with your partner or family. Friends may prefer to outright avoid hangouts at your home. Your loved ones may be concerned about your living situation at this point.
The longer your home sits at Level 3, the higher the chance that leftover messes become long-term damage.
Hygiene and safety take a backseat in a house at Level 4. Long-term spills and messes create bad smells, and much of the house cannot be adequately used for each room’s purpose.
Those whose homes fit this category face daily irritation and inconvenience, all of it eventually leading to high repair bills, tripping hazards, and health hazards.
You may not think tripping hazards are a big deal, but falling over them certainly can be. Depending on how high the stacks are, they could even fall on you and do some damage that way.
There have been well documented cases where people have become trapped in their own home due to tripping hazards. Don’t let that be you!
Health hazards stack up in level 4 almost as quick as the clutter does. Issues like water damage that can no longer be reached lead to structural decay. Larger pests like bats or rodents may make their nests in the attic or basement and contribute to higher possibilities of disease.
A person or family living in this state may find it difficult to be comfortable doing anything.
Tackling the job to get the home back to a healthy and safe state may seem impossible on their own.
This is often what people think of when discussing hoarding behaviors. The situation may be the result of a psychological hoarding disorder or difficulty due to disability. It may have been compounded by depression or generational trauma or habits. The contributing factors are nuanced, varied, and often highly personal.
But whatever the reason, a Level 5 household is in need of serious, professional help.
Those in a Level 5 house live in outright unsafe conditions. On the daily they are coming in contact with:
Not only is it difficult to socialize with others in your home, you may find it difficult to even leave because of the sheer volume of things in the home and the blocked entryways.
Many who are at this stage find themselves disconnected from reality in a number of ways:
At this stage, the structural damage to the home is often irreparable and fire hazards begin to enter the picture.
Houses at level 5 are prone to fires because of the flammable piles of clutter. If a flame were to spark anywhere, it could easily catch something and spread from there.
Not only that, but it’s very difficult for firefighters to enter. If a fire were to start there’d be little to no way of stopping it. With so many flammable objects and no way to enter the home, all it can do is burn.
So how did your home do? Do you have an idea of where your home fits on the hoarding scale? The vast majority of us are on there somewhere, and the good news is that no matter the level your home scores, there is always help available.
After walking through all 5 levels of hoarding, it’s clear we all struggle with cleaning up the house sometimes. There’s nothing wrong with a messy house. It’s a part of normal, everyday life.
However, your health and safety are important, particularly when things advance to those higher levels. When facing a daunting clean-up, here’s quick tip for each level of hoarding:
Your home falls into one of these levels—just like everyone else’s! The next step is determining what you need to get back to a manageable Level 1.
Our team at Bio-One understands messy homes, and we’re here to offer discreet, compassionate help when you or a loved one is trying to dig out from a higher level mess. We offer affordable, professional services that include cleanup, disinfection, and decontamination.
Every job has a unique remediation plan tailored to the specific needs and goals of the client. Rest assured, wherever you may fall on the levels of hoarding, we have the experience and equipment necessary to help you.
Consult with our team today to discuss your situation and determine how much time you can save with professional help.
| Hoarding Is Extremely Common - And Helping Hoarders Is Our Passion |
| Hoarding disorder is an ongoing difficulty throwing away or parting with possessions because you believe that you need to save them. You may experience distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. You gradually keep or gather a huge number of items, regardless of their actual value. Hoarding often creates extremely cramped living conditions with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter. Countertops, sinks, stoves, desks, stairways and all other surfaces are usually piled with stuff. You may not be able to use some areas for their intended purpose. When there's no more room inside your home, the clutter may spread to the garage, vehicles, yard and other storage areas. Hoarding ranges from mild to severe. In some cases, hoarding may not have much impact on your life, while in other cases it seriously affects your daily functioning. People with hoarding disorder may not see it as a problem, so getting them to take part in treatment can be challenging. THE 5 LEVELS OF HOARDING LEVEL 1 - Minor Clutter LEVEL 2 - Clutter blocking one exit, pet feces in one area, some minor electrical/plumbing problems, overflowing trash cans, dirty dishes piling up, minor mold growth. LEVEL 3 - Extreme disorganization throughout home, insect infestation, piles of objects in key living areas, multiple broken appliances, spills not cleaned for days/weeks, one room not being used anymore for its intended purpose LEVEL 4 - Structural damage to home, plumbing not operating properly, excessive amount of pets and pet waste, clutter preventing most exits and stairs, rotting food, odors, sewage backups. LEVEL 5 - Severe unsanitary conditions, entire living space unusable, no ventilation, irreparable damage to home’s structure, no utilities working, pervasive mold, animals in home are danger to humans, larger pest infestation (rodents, snakes, insects), dead animals in home. Bio-One can help at any stage, and can help in any capacity. From helping families meticulously go through item by item to locate valuables, to helping getting ready for an estate sale, and emptying an entire house, performing demolition and deep cleaning sanitization - Bio-One is here to help. Bio-One also specializes in biohazard cleanup, mold remediation, sewage backup cleanup, rodent droppings cleanup, odor removal and more. Bio-One Huntsville: 256-677-6111 Bio-One Birmingham: 205-937-1708 Bio-One Montgomery: 334-523-9191 |
