Hoarding is more common than many people realize. Recent research suggests that about 2 to 6 percent of people experience clinically significant hoarding symptoms, with a best estimate of roughly 2.5 percent of adults worldwide living with hoarding disorder — about 1 in 40 people. In Canada, hoarding is now recognized as a distinct mental health condition rather than “just clutter,” and it can seriously affect safety, housing stability, and relationships.
In London and St. Thomas, Ontario, families often reach a breaking point when hoarding leads to blocked exits, unsafe conditions, landlord pressure, or the need to sell a home. That is usually when they start searching for London Ontario hoarding cleanup services and wonder who they can trust to help without judgment. That is where Get R Gone Junk Removal comes in — alongside professional organizers, cleaning companies, and other support services.
Understanding Hoarding Disorder with Compassion
Hoarding disorder is more than “being messy” or having too much stuff. It involves persistent difficulty discarding possessions, a strong urge to save items, and significant distress at the thought of letting things go. Over time, this leads to cluttered living spaces that are hard to use, unsafe walking paths, and sometimes issues with pests, mould, and fire risk.
Canadian mental health organizations note that hoarding can create unsafe living conditions, financial strain, and even housing insecurity for older adults and families. It also affects everyone around the person who hoards — including family, neighbours, support workers, and pets. That is why any effective hoarding cleanup in London, Ontario has to be about more than just “getting a truck” — it needs empathy, planning, and the right team.
Why Hoarding Cleanup Is Different from Regular Junk Removal
Standard junk removal is usually straightforward: a homeowner points to unwanted items, the crew loads them, and the job is done. Hoarding cleanup is different. It often involves years or decades of belongings, and every object may feel important or emotionally loaded to the person who lives there.
There are also serious safety considerations. Hoarded homes may have:
- Narrow or blocked pathways that increase the risk of falls and fire.
- Hidden structural issues under piles of items.
- Pests, animal waste, or spoiled food that require protective equipment and proper disposal.
- Overloaded electrical outlets, space heaters buried under belongings, or inaccessible smoke alarms.
Because of these risks, hoarding cleanup in London, Ontario works best when junk removal companies like Get R Gone collaborate closely with professional organizers, specialized cleaning teams, and, when needed, mental health or social service supports.
Get R Gone’s Role in London Ontario Hoarding Cleanup Services
Get R Gone is a locally owned junk removal company serving London, St. Thomas, and surrounding communities, with experience in hoarding situations, estate cleanouts, and complex cleanouts. Our job is not to judge. Our job is to safely remove items, respect the person and the space, and work as part of a larger support team when hoarding is involved.
Here is how we typically support hoarding cleanup projects:
1. Compassionate, No-Pressure Walkthrough
For hoarding cleanup, we usually begin with a walkthrough — either with the homeowner or with a trusted family member or professional organizer. The goal is to understand safety issues, priorities, and any deadlines, such as upcoming inspections, sales, or move-in dates.
2. Working Alongside Professional Organizers and Cleaners
In many London Ontario hoarding cleanup cases, we are brought in by or alongside professional organizers and specialized cleaning companies. Organizers focus on decision-making, sorting, and helping the person decide what to keep, donate, or let go of. Our team focuses on safe removal, heavy lifting, and responsible disposal of whatever has been approved to leave the home.
This team approach allows:
- The organizer or support person to stay with the client and guide choices.
- Get R Gone to move items out quickly, safely, and discreetly.
- Cleaning crews to come in behind us for deep cleaning, disinfection, and repairs where needed.
3. Safety-First Removal and Respectful Handling
Our crews come prepared with the right equipment for hoarding cleanup: gloves, masks, protective gear, and tools to dismantle furniture or navigate tight spaces safely. We clear walkways, open up exits, and remove tripping hazards — all while treating belongings with respect.
Where possible, we separate items for donation and recycling, and route materials through local partners so that usable items do not go straight to landfill. For many families, knowing that some belongings are being reused or recycled makes the process feel a little easier.
4. Flexible Pacing That Fits the Situation
Every hoarding cleanup is different. Sometimes the priority is urgent safety — for example, clearing enough space for a fire inspector or making sure a senior can safely remain at home. In other cases, families want to move more slowly over several visits to give their loved one time to adjust.
We adapt our pace to match the plan you and your support team set. That might mean tackling one room at a time, starting with entrances and bathrooms, or focusing on critical areas like the kitchen and bedroom first.
How Get R Gone Works with Other Hoarding Support Professionals
In London and across Ontario, there are excellent professional organizers, hoarding specialists, and cleaning companies who focus on hoarded homes. Rather than trying to replace their role, Get R Gone complements their work.
We regularly collaborate with:
- Professional organizers and hoarding coaches who guide decluttering decisions and help clients build new systems at home.
- Residential and extreme-cleaning companies that handle deep cleaning, odour control, and biohazard-level cleanup after items are removed.
- Estate cleanout specialists when hoarding is discovered after a loved one moves to care or passes away. Our estate cleanout guide provides more information on how we handle these sensitive situations.
If you already have a professional organizer, therapist, or social worker involved, we are happy to coordinate with them. If you are starting from scratch, we can point you toward partners in the London area who understand hoarding and take a respectful, confidential approach.
When to Consider Hoarding Cleanup Services in London, Ontario
It is often hard to know when a situation has moved from “cluttered” to something that needs professional hoarding cleanup. Some common signs include:
- Rooms cannot be used for their intended purpose — for example, no usable bed, bathtub, or kitchen counter.
- Exits, windows, or hallways are blocked or narrowed by belongings.
- There are concerns about fire safety, falls, pests, or mould.
- Landlords, condo boards, or city officials have raised safety or by-law concerns.
- Family relationships are straining under the weight of the situation.
If you recognize these signs in your own home or a loved one’s home, you are not alone — and it is okay to ask for help. Hoarding disorder is a recognized mental health condition, and while therapy and ongoing support are essential for long-term change, a compassionate cleanup can be an important first step for safety.
Why Choose Get R Gone for Hoarding Cleanup in London, Ontario
Families and professionals choose Get R Gone for hoarding cleanup in London, St. Thomas, and nearby areas because we combine practical help with empathy and local partnerships.
- Compassion-first approach — We understand that every item has a story and that this process is emotional. Our crews are trained to be respectful, patient, and discreet.
- Collaboration with organizers and cleaners — We do what we do best (safe removal and hauling) and work alongside the professionals who focus on organizing and deep cleaning.
- Local, insured, and trusted — As a local company with strong reviews and property-management partnerships, we are used to handling sensitive cleanouts, including hoarding and estate situations.
- Donation-first and eco-conscious — We look for opportunities to donate and recycle items where appropriate, reducing waste while respecting your wishes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hoarding Cleanup in London, Ontario
How much does hoarding cleanup cost in London, Ontario?
Every hoarding cleanup is unique, and pricing depends on the volume of items, the condition of the home, and whether specialized cleaning or multiple visits are needed. Get R Gone provides transparent, no-obligation quotes after an initial walkthrough. Learn more about our junk removal pricing to understand how we structure our rates.
Do you offer same-day or emergency hoarding cleanup?
In urgent situations — such as pending inspections, eviction deadlines, or safety emergencies — we do our best to accommodate same-day or next-day service. Contact us directly and let us know the urgency of your situation.
Will you work with my professional organizer or therapist?
Absolutely. We regularly collaborate with professional organizers, mental health professionals, and social workers throughout the London and St. Thomas area. We are happy to coordinate schedules and follow the plan your support team has put in place.
What happens to the items you remove?
We prioritize donation and recycling wherever possible. Usable items are routed to local charities and recycling facilities, while items that cannot be repurposed are disposed of responsibly. Check out our page on what we take for more details.
Taking the First Step Toward Help
Reaching out for London Ontario hoarding cleanup services can feel overwhelming, especially if you are worried about shame, judgment, or losing control of the process. Our promise at Get R Gone is simple: we will meet you where you are, listen to what you need, and work with you and your support team to create a plan that feels manageable and respectful.
If you are in London, St. Thomas, or a nearby community and need help with a hoarding situation — for yourself, a client, or a loved one — you can contact Get R Gone to talk through your options, ask questions, and decide on next steps at your own pace.
Hoarding cleanup is not just about removing items. It is about making homes safer, restoring dignity, and giving families room to breathe again. You do not have to do it alone.
Book Your Free, No-Obligation Walkthrough Today
Related Resources
- Estate Cleanout in London, Ontario: A Practical, Compassionate Guide
- Declutter Your Home with Professional Organizing and Junk Removal Services
- Downsizing Services in London and St. Thomas
- Compassionate Cleanout: Understanding Bereavement and Estate Cleanouts
- How Much Does Junk Removal Cost in London & St. Thomas?
