How Clean is Your House?

**AmyBoz** · 02-18-2006, 12:21 AM

I know that many of you have referenced this show before, but I just saw it for the first time tonight. WOW, was the house they cleaned filthy. Are they always so gross?

My only complaint is that they really don't help the people figure out WHY they've allowed their homes to become so disgusting. Without that piece, the grime WILL return.

**Pepper** · 02-18-2006, 04:32 AM

Yes, they are all that gross!! Its really sad to see.

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 02-18-2006, 12:32 PM

when i saw that show for the 1st time i wondered "how can someone let their home get that bad???". my house is not dirty, i'm always cleaning. there are always toys everywhere, but tis not dirty. you need to teach your kids how to keep a clean home, its so important. but i guess so peoples priorities aren't about a clean home, and thats sad!!!

**missymomof3** · 03-18-2006, 08:13 PM

I used to not be as clean as I am now and sadly alot of it was a reflection of the clutter going on in my life as well. Keeping a clean house just wasn't important enough to me at that time.

**Shell** · 03-18-2006, 09:17 PM

I think a lot of the people are depressed. One man said his house became like that after his fiancee left him. One house was a party house so I think it was because they were too busy having fun.

**emily_hope** · 03-18-2006, 09:50 PM

Every one of those shows I have seen...the houses are very filthy. Disgustingly so. And I agree with AmyBoz that they don't help the people understand why their home got that way or how to keep it from returning to that state.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 03-19-2006, 10:55 AM

One part of our business is cleaning out the homes of older folks who have passed away and folks who have lost their homes to foreclosure. I've found 2 different groups.
The elderly who just don't see, smell or realize it anymore.
And those who have let drugs and drinking take over their lives.

I always feel badly for the older folks because most times they have families that could have or at least should have stepped in.
The other group well I feel badly about the kids and spouses that get pulled down in the whirlpool. I've cleared out homes where kids clothes and toys have been left behind but all the electronics, car parts and adult stuff has made the moving truck.

My home is no prize somedays and I don't think I'd offer to feed anyone on the livingroom floor. But there is a difference between fility and dusty

Laurie in Bradenton

**Lorri** · 04-14-2006, 01:02 AM

Yes they are all GROSS. My house is not sterile but I can say I have never had to clean my faucets and such with a toothbrush or let plastic bags with cleaner soak on them.
I have a very busy house but it is not dirty. Messy at times with 5 or 6 teens running around and a 5 year old. A quick 20 minute pick up does the trick throughout the house.

**miss_thrifty** · 04-22-2006, 03:19 PM

I love that show, its on nearly every day at noon. It makes me feel guilty about not having the house spotless sometimes. And me and my hubby are both clean freaks. We were not always like that, we were always very clean but kids came along, and wallaaaaa, ther ya go!!!lol

These people on this show its so gross i eat first then watch tv. Their was the show of the kids in addorm college, maggots!!! ugh daer lord, my skin was crawling. And the one with the 50 yr old man who lost his wife years ago, he nebver cleaned it in 12 years. Layers upon layers of papers , dirt, daed things , heebie jeebies.
I have routine but somedays i dont worry about those dust bunnies, everysecond day they come back.

**MessyKat** · 04-26-2006, 04:07 PM

I've watched this show many time. Honestly my house is worse than some of the ones I have seen them clean.

I often ask how I got in this shape. I find that I am extremely harsh on myself. So much so that I will even ask well if it is this bad, then what is the use of even trying.

I have never been the neatest person in the world, but my house has NEVER been anything like what I see now. It was a serices of events, emotional and otherwise that I allowed to get me into this position.

I am working on fixing it, and it takes a very long time. I have often thought I would call to go on this show, but I am too embarrassed to let my house be on tv. I am afraid someone I know would see me.

**miss_thrifty** · 04-27-2006, 12:25 PM

Messy Cat,

U need to go to one room at a time. Take garbage bags and throw out what can't be cleaned, and whats no good anymore.Lots of hot water, bleach, or vinegar, scrubbie pads and baking soda, old towels u can throw out after. And Wear gloves!!! Clutter is our worst enemy, it is mine!!!EVery week I have to clear everything out.It's all about routine and making lists so it won't be overwhelming for you. Start off with that one room. When all the clutter is gone , wshing down the walls, then u have to clean the furniture or appliances. Once that's done then therugs or flooring. If its rug, get a steam cleaner, if the rug is really bad, look under it, if its hardwood or plywood, get friend to help u throw it out. Germs in Rugs will make u sick or keep u sick. Even yeast infections from the staphlococus ( i think thats how u spell it). Don't get discouraged , get a friend!!!!To it over 2 days , one room at time. Let me know what u think.ok
Charlene

**canadian gardener** · 04-27-2006, 03:51 PM

MessyKat, first off big big hugs. Second you are right on when you say it's emotional in origin. I have a friend with a disorder like this, and it's more to do with what she has survived than about the actual mess. Her place is pretty awful, but she herself is a pretty terrific person and she is improving slowly.

I'm not at home right now, but my favourites I have a link to something called squalor survivors, and they are a good help. The other place to check is actually on Oprah's website, she has a link to a dr who treats people like this and he had some good stuff on his site.

Don't feel bad, you don't have to go on TV for help. I'm often a bit annoyed by how the ladies treat the people who are in the messes. Some it may be laziness but more often it's horrifying hurts that the people have survived or struggling with an obsessive compulsive disorder that makes them have a panic attack at the thought of throwing anything, even garbage out.

BIG HUGS and I'll try and find the links

**canadian gardener** · 04-27-2006, 04:02 PM

http://www.squalorsurvivors.com/index.shtml is the link, but I can't seem to find the one on oprah anymore.

and one of the threads here was The Fear of Getting Rid of Stuff

**krisathome** · 04-27-2006, 10:12 PM

My good friend's house is like that, too. I have tried to help her clean it up but she gets upset with me when I throw things away. I can't help her, it has to be her decision to do something about it. I still love her anyway. We just don't do things at her house, we come to mine.

MessyKat, I hope that you can get a handle on your house.

**Lorri** · 04-28-2006, 12:19 AM

My grandparents house was extremely dirty. I helped them clean when they needed an appraisal and my grandfather was not happy with the amount of things that I throwed away. I am familiar with OCD and depression and it definately will affect the way you take care of your home. Good Luck to you MesssyKat!