The Complete Guide to Hoarding Cleanup Detroit (2025 Guide) | HazWash™
The Complete Guide to Hoarding Cleanup Detroit (2025 Guide) | HazWash™
The Complete Guide to Hoarding Cleanup in Detroit (2025 Edition)
Facing Hoarding With Compassion & Clarity
Tools & Equipment Needed for Hoarding Cleanup
The Hidden Cost of Cutting Corners
The HazWash™ DIY Hoarding Cleanup Process
White Glove vs Platinum Glove Service
Facing Hoarding With Compassion & Clarity
If you or a loved one are struggling with hoarding, you’re not alone. Thousands of families across Metro Detroit face the same overwhelming challenge: rooms stacked high with belongings, odors that won’t go away, and homes that no longer feel safe.
Here’s the truth: hoarding cleanup isn’t just “throwing things away.” It’s about safety, health, and compliance. One wrong step — like hiring an unlicensed junk hauler — can turn into six-figure fines or long-term liability.
That’s why we created this guide. By the end, you’ll know:
What tools and protective equipment are truly required
The hidden risks of hiring unlicensed junk haulers or cleaners
The step-by-step HazWash™ cleanup process you can do at home.
The difference between White Glove vs Platinum Glove service
Why certified cleanup is the only safe, legal solution
Tools & Equipment Needed for Hoarding Cleanup
Imagine trying to tackle a hoarded home with only garbage bags and gloves. You’d quickly realize how unsafe — and overwhelming — it really is. The right tools aren’t just about efficiency; they’re about health, safety, and compliance.
✅ Essential Equipment
✅ Protective Gear (PPE)
10 mil puncture-resistant gloves
N95 masks (minimum)
Optional but often required: Tyvek suits, full-face respirators, goggles, face shields
✅ Cleaning Tools
Shovels & brooms for debris
Hospital-grade disinfectants (When Biohazards are present)
Cleaners, Mops, Rags, Brushes, Buckets (For Deep Cleaning)
👉 When hazards are present, HazWash™ ensures full compliance while restoring homes safely and discreetly. (See also: Trauma Cleanup in Detroit).
The Hidden Cost of Cutting Corners
It’s tempting to save money by hiring junk haulers or regular cleaners. But hoarding cleanup is not junk removal — it often involves regulated waste and biohazards. Mishandling them doesn’t just create health risks, it creates massive criminal and financial consequences.
(See also: Hazardous Waste Disposal in Detroit).
The HazWash™ Hoarding Cleanup Process
Every home is different, but our proven 5-step system ensures safe, organized, and compassionate restoration — whether you’re learning what’s involved or ready for certified help.
Step 1: Hazard Assessment & Liability Transfer
Inspect for hazards including human/animal waste, blood, tissues, chemicals, flammables, or infestations. If any biohazards exist — such as urine, feces, blood, or animal remains — the cleanup legally qualifies as hazardous and requires certified handling.
👉 HazWash™ ensures all hazards are properly labeled, packaged, and documented. Once materials leave your property, the waste is transported by licensed carriers — and all liability is legally transferred to the courier and final destination waste facility for proper disposal.
🔒 Compliance Advantage
Every pound of waste that leaves your property is:
Documented & labeled
Transported by licensed carriers
Legally removed from your responsibility
✅ Once it’s gone, you’re protected.
Step 2: Dumpster Placement & Staging
Strategic placement saves hours of labor — but safety comes first. After all hazards have been removed and packaged for licensed transport, never dispose of biohazards, chemicals, or other regulated waste in a standard dumpster.
For general clutter and non-hazardous debris:
Place dumpsters in driveways, garages, or other cleared areas for easy access
Coordinate with property management for condo/apartment placements
Always use plywood under dumpsters to prevent cracks or scratches in driveways
💡 Pro Tip
Start staging from the garage or the entry/exit closest to the dumpster — it cuts hours off total labor.
Step 3: Sorting & Organizing
Unlike junk haulers who toss everything, HazWash™ carefully separates items into banker boxes, brown boxes, and contractor bags — protecting valuables while removing waste.
Banker Boxes → important documents
Brown Boxes → keepsakes & valuables
Contractor Bags → unsalvageable waste
❤️ Real Story from Detroit
We recently worked with a retired schoolteacher living with Multiple Sclerosis. At first, she was hesitant to part with anything. Instead of pushing, we asked gentle, inquisitive questions that helped her realize which items no longer served her.
Within hours, she went from saying “don’t touch that” to asking us to clear even more rooms. By the end, she was smiling, grateful, and relieved to finally have a safe, livable home again.
👉 This is why HazWash™ doesn’t just clear clutter — we restore dignity and peace of mind.
Step 4: Deep Cleaning
After clutter is cleared, every room must be sanitized thoroughly:
Work top-to-bottom (ceiling to floor), starting in the farthest corner so debris and dust don’t resettle in already cleaned areas.
Choose the right cleaning method for the situation:
For standard clutter cleanup → use household cleaners (multi-surface sprays, degreasers, floor cleaner, mop/bucket, scrub brushes, microfiber cloths) and some old-fashioned elbow grease.
For biohazard contamination (feces, urine, blood, animal remains) → only hospital-grade disinfectants are appropriate, applied with proper PPE and training.
Prevent cross-contamination by moving methodically toward the exit, never tracking dirt or hazards back into cleaned rooms.
💡 Pro Tip
Always clean ceiling-to-floor in one continuous flow — it keeps dust, debris, and pathogens from resettling in freshly sanitized areas.
Step 5: Odor Elimination
Once clutter and waste are cleared, HazWash™ uses a proven three-stage odor removal process:
Hospital-Grade Fogging — Fogging with EPA-approved disinfectants neutralizes bacteria and pathogens. ⚠️ Requires respirator, goggles, and PPE training to prevent serious injury or death.
Hydroxyl Generator Treatment — Safe for occupied spaces, hydroxyls neutralize deep-set odors at the molecular level.
Ozone Treatment (if needed) — For severe cases, ozone is deployed in vacant properties. Ozone is powerful but hazardous if misused, which is why only trained crews should apply it.
🔒 Compliance Advantage
Some odor treatments — especially ozone — can be dangerous and even deadly if applied incorrectly. HazWash™ technicians are trained and certified to ensure every treatment is safe, effective, and fully compliant.(See also: Odor Control in Detroit Homes). Coming Soon
By the time our process is complete, the property isn’t just cleared — it’s fully organized, sanitized, and safe to live in again.
White Glove vs Platinum Glove Service
Every family’s needs are different. That’s why HazWash™ offers two levels of hoarding cleanup:
❤️ Real Story
One Detroit client thought White Glove would be enough. But after seeing how much could be overlooked, they upgraded to Platinum for full cataloging — and were relieved knowing nothing important was lost.
🔒 Compliance Advantage
Both White and Platinum restore homes to a safe, livable condition. Platinum adds detailed documentation and organization, giving families long-term peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hoarding Cleanup in Detroit
Q: How much does hoarding cleanup cost in Detroit?
A: Costs vary based on the size of the home and level of service. At HazWash™, we offer both White Glove (basic sorting & removal) and Platinum Glove (detailed organization & documentation). Every job includes a free estimate before work begins.
Q: What’s the difference between White Glove and Platinum Glove service?
A: White Glove focuses on safety and fast clearing, while Platinum Glove includes detailed sorting of documents and valuables with a catalog system so families know exactly where everything is.
Q: Is hoarding cleanup dangerous?
A: Yes, if biohazards are present. Feces, urine, animal remains, blood, and chemicals can create health risks and legal liabilities. HazWash™ is OSHA, EPA, and DOT certified to remediate these hazards safely.
Q: How long does a hoarding cleanup take?
A: Most projects range from one to several days depending on the level of clutter, hazards present, and the chosen service level. We provide a timeline during the free estimate.
Q: Will my neighbors know what’s happening?
A: We work with unmarked vehicles and discreet crews. In some cases a dumpster may be on-site, but it looks like a standard cleanout or renovation container.
