At times when I cleaned my mother-in-law’s hoarder house, I wanted to give up and “gut it.” But it was HERS and my fiduciary duty was to recover the greatest value out of her house to pay for her care. I found that I could make a lot of it look really good with hard work, and then ultimately paint and replace flooring to transform it into something that was a great blessing to the next family and garnered $50,000 more than the first realtor estimated. Her home and modest investments, carefully managed, covered her expensive full-time care in the final years and then left the children with inheritance. Worth the effort, for sure.
@@SharonOnTheNetit really depends on the person. some people make sure to save more than they are likely to need, planning for emergencies in old age. in that case, the role of that money is to go to their heirs, and it IS iheritance money.
Your “Hi Memberssssss” is the highlight of my week, 😂. Your narration is wonderful because your voice is soothing. And I can’t say enough about your compassion and empathy ❤❤❤
I’m glad you said Mack’s voice is soothing, I feel the same way. I actually turn on this channel when I’m going to bed, so basically I sleep with Mack every night 😂😂😂.
@@adrienneforeman2153 thanks for the idea. I have trouble sleeping & have a (bad) habit of falling asleep to the tv. You're right about Mac's voice, I'm going to try sleeping with Mack myself 😉😉😉
I totally understand about the clothes. I did Home Health Nursing. I’ve been in houses like this. I bought my work clothes from WalMart or thrift stores. And yes, there were times I came home and stripped on the back porch, and threw the clothes in the garbage. I didn’t want the clothes in my house, or in my Washer/Dryer. I really admire the work you do.
I LOVE super long videos like this because I have ADHD so putting on something like this while I'm cleaning helps me feel like I'm not doing it alone and it makes it easier for me to finish, so thank you for this.
Your channel is a godsend. I think a lot of people don’t quite understand the health and sanitation implications of having a dirty home. Thank you for educating us all 🙌🏼
So refreshing in these times to find someone who is genuinely compassionate and thinks of someone besides themselves. You are a PRINCE and you restore my faith in humanity. Or at least improve it a little bit. 😏It was extra satisfying to watch this one, even with the drawbacks the drill brush results were pretty cool.
I enjoy the high speed/fast forward cleaning noises. They are so much better than being forced to listen to bad (or just not my taste) music. It always makes me sad to see a hoarder home get cleaned out, but the house itself sustained too much damage. Such a waste. I appreciate your tips & tricks. You did a wonderful job on a property where most of us would run away screaming!! Thanks!
I hate the asmr noises people do when they tap their nails on things, or it’s just the sound of plastic packets being opened or things being slid into place. But these high speed noises are aoooooo pleasant to me
Such impressive work. This was a huge job, shows your attention to detail and your layer process. You are so correct about how this home was treated. It is criminal to not care about how you destroy a quality built building. What a massive amount of work, and editing. Grand job. You always show the truth.
As a former maintenance man for a low income housing community, I can tell you this type of situation is depressingly common. I've polished many a turd in my day, but this one is really special. Really takes me back. What a stinker. 👍
It's irritating when people say "oh you should just redo everything." You're right. People really underestimate the costs of raw materials. Even plywood and drywall isn't cheap.
I also think people are ignoring the environmental impact of the "rip it out and replace" crowd, not just the cost in time and money. It costs an enormous amount of energy and sometimes environmental destruction to create those raw materials. If there's any way you can reuse them, you are keeping that "embodied energy" in use and out of the landfill.
@@discoj7112 I think people care far too much about environmental costs. We're already fucked. We're going to have to engineer active solutions to climate change. The point we could have fixed it by was 2015. Sorry, we didn't. So can you please stop bothering us about eco crap? The planet lost and will have to be actively managed by large technological solutions such as carbon capture. Let people who wound up with a biohazerdious home have a safe place to exist.
Yes it does cost a lot. But NO ONE is going to live there, even after the cleaning. I will bet it still stinks to high heaven even the day after the cleaning was done. As Volk said, burning it would have had a better outcome than the cleaning. Except for our entertainment, that is.
This composite video gave us a much better idea of the extent of the problem, the hard work involved, the difference you are making to the world one house at a time, and (particularly) how you are educating people like me about the mental illness that is hoarding. I sincerely hope your one millionth subscriber is not too far off. You deserve it. Thank you for all that you do.
I’m glad you put it all together in one video. Feature film video indeed! I watched this and my husband watched Quigley Down Under and you lasted almost as long as Quigley did, lol! You’re right, this home was well crafted and you did it a great service with your meticulous cleaning. Your compassion, kindness towards those with mental illnesses is what we all need more of. Thank you!
Yeah at first I was like: Why clean it, throw the whole kitchen out. But then I saw it looked actually pretty good cleaned. I would still throw it out though, wouldn't wanna cook with that germ infested stove ever again
That's one of the really sad things when a hoarder lives in a nice old house. The original features never got the HGTV treatment because they're too poor to change them, but then the features still end up needing to be ripped out in the end because of the hoarding damage.
All the exclusive members videos make me feel like I'm a member by some one week gifted membership! I really liked the feature film, it only lacked moose. I'm amazed how clean you got even this house and thinking how exoensive and hard to find living space is especially these days, I really hope the owner was able to get the house back into a state of livable. Loved the wooden floors, they shine almost golden in the sun. I hope that whenever a hoarder sees your videos, they decide to get help, for both their sake and whoever else is affected by the hoard.
This was freaking epic! Thank you for the mega movie marathon clean with the new voice over. Straight G. I enjoyed that spin kick straight to my optic nerve
You have a kind heart to think of the other contractors and family that have to deal with the mess left behind by hoarders. I was one of those family members left to deal with a condo that was an absolute mess when my mother finally went into assisted living. Cleaning out her bathroom was the most traumatic experience of my life! Hoarding Disorder is an underestimated mental condition that impacts the patient and the extended family. Thank you for supporting those who have few resources to turn to for such help.
How I wish I were watching this video two generations ago when I attempted to "help" my grandmother with her hoard. She wanted everything clean, bright, and new, but she would NOT let me throw anything out. She ended up being evicted, living with her brother - also a hoarder, and died alone in a hospital somewhere. When I started trying to pare down my mother's home, I realized the extent of her mother's mental illness and it flowing down to her. Fortunately, in one regard, my mother has dementia, so I can readily get rid of things that are unnecessary to keep. By the time she passes, I'll have little more to do than a nominal clear-out, and more time for grieving. Naturally, I've discovered MY own hoarding tendencies, but have been actively trying to "death clean" now, so people won't have to clean up after me. If I had the empathy back then which you are portraying now, I would have not held on to the anger and frustration I carried cleaning out hoards for years. You are helping more people than you know, and to all of those haters & "I woulda, coulda, shouldas", they can all suck it.
Thank you for the "death clean" comment. I am 69 and have a incurable chronic lung disease. I am now a person with a "death clean" mindset. Thanks. God bless you all.
I can relate! When my mom died, she had disowned me 7 yrs prior and left everything to my brother, who promptly took charge in clearing out her hoards so he could rent out her house to a friend to cover the expenses. He still gave me the $ she left me and helped me into my new mobile home after my 100 yr old house had caught fire and forced me out. He has OCD and I was never so grateful for him being the one who took charge of her house bc she had collected food, clothes, shoes, gadgets, sewing materials, tools, etc and he took care of it all!🎉❤😊
Glad you've learned so much from this channel and have been making your own preparations. I hope all is well.and sending you best wishes ans positive vibes 💜
Hoarding was definitely a branch on my mother's mental health tree, as well. She had PTSD, OCD, hoarding disorder, and a laundry list of other factors that just made it all worse. I say had because she now also has dementia. Cleaning up her hoard one last time before she got evicted from the last place she lived independently was heartbreaking because we were in a rush and had to abandon so much. One of the last things I did was go on a whirlwind hunt for family photos and important documents. I, too, practice death cleaning as a result. At least once a year, I'll do a thorough examination of my stuff while I'm cleaning. As hard as it might seem, it's actually very cathartic as the child of a hoarder. I can part with things and feel good about it.
Your take on horrible, disgusting messes makes me feel better. You and the other youTube cleaners are true heroes. No matter how I feel, I get up and toss trash, do the laundry, clean the cat litter, wash the dishes, and do all the other daily chores that make our place a home. Again, thanks. Tina, Al's wife
This video gives a different perspective on just how much work you put into this house. You did an incredible job that I don’t think anyone else could do❤️ Your editing skills are amazing as well
Thank you. Not only for all the work on the house to make it safer for workers yet to come. Also for the many hours in editing this video. I truly appreciate it.
So glad you pointed out the armchair quarterbacks who say "Why clean something that's getting replaced?" I'm an interior designer and I can promise you contractors worry about their health when taking out old things.
@@honeybadgerisme ... Please start jogging or something. Your cardio and respiratory health are very very poor if you believe that wearing a respirator and working is any more taxing than working without one. IF you're a smoker, quit.
@@MeepChangeling I get plenty of cardio and I trained with respirators as a medical scientist in the Army...so there's that. Maybe you should put on a respirator and do some demolition or volunteer with Habitat for Humanity while wearing one (& don't forget the tyvek suit needed to go with it) and stay at it all day--then get back with us how you did? You're so fit! I bet you don't even take it off on your break! Break? You won't even need a break! You won't even break a sweat by your 7th hour and you'll do the work of two men! Do it. Then talk.
You're a really great commentator. I enjoy how you explain things so thoroughly. Plus your cleaning skills are unmatched. Thanks for helping folks who are unable to help themselves.
Currently in a bipolar depressive episode. Been trying to clean for months. This channel has been the closest thing to actually get up and get it done, please keep doing what you’re doing, push me over the cleaning rut lol
Love the train track analogy. Also heard a good one for ADHD, It is like sitting you on the center line of a busy highway with a calculus book and telling you to learn it by reading. Really helped me to understand my son's learning issues. Thank you for continuing my learning.
You are so right about “just gutting the kitchen”, we did all the work ourselves and it still cost 20,000 for a SMALL kitchen. I have empathy for people with hoarding but I feel even more for the poor animals 😢 I love your videos!!
Agree, with a contractor ours cost $45k, but $10k of that was asbestos abatement. So $35k for kitchen cabinets, countertop, sink, faucet, floor, subfloor, and insulation (under the floor) replacement in a small kitchen. I'm Canadian so our prices are higher and this was mid covid when wood/hardware went stupid price. It was an insurance claim so I'm sure some of that was inflated as well to line their pockets, but it was still an insane price to just "gut" a kitchen.
Thats A LOT of work! Even "just" the gutting. Damn, swinging a sledgehammer and carrying it out or to a pile, it's exhausting. Nevermind the money. "Just" the physical labor is intense. Growing up, every house we lived in we did some kind of renovation or painting or simple repair - like new flooring. And we moved every two years. So I learned a lot and even with my child k owledge and experience, even I know how much work it takes. I hope you love your new kitchen. Cheers! 💜
Yep. My family did a remodel on our relatively small kitchen 10 years ago. We kept the original hardwood cabinets and did all the demo work and repainting ourselves. The contractor was a friend of the family and he charged far less than the going rate. The bill for that remodel was still around $20k.
Thank you for “Midwest Magic the Movie.” Can’t wait for Son of Midwest Magic, the Return of Midwest Magic, Midwest Magic Rides Again, and the rest of the franchise. 👏
Cleaning is your way of changing the world for good. You take the dirty and make it clean, the chaotic and make it orderly, the neglected and show it some love and attention. Yes, I said love, you Midwestern tough guy. Deal with it! Who thought you could say "I love you," to your fellow man with a bottle of Clean Freak and a vacuum. (Empathy for both the damaged and the damage they cause to others. Typical!) I demand this channel hit one million subscribers.
All I can say is you deserve some kind of medal !! I had an aunt in San Diego I hadn't seen in years. I was in my 60's when I finally went to San Diego to see her. Beautiful, kind woman who was an extreme hoarder. I spent almost my entire visit cleaning. The kitchen I think had demons. I sanitized everything the best I could. This is a woman who hadn't taken a shower in 20 years because she was convinced she would get a cold if she got wet. My head itched for a month after I came back to Oregon. I wish I could say I have a lot of empathy for hoarders. Normally I do have a lot of compassion for almost any kind of human and their issues. But hoarding is completely different for me. Sad.
As the child of a hoarder who's hit that wall of "I can't devote anymore emotional or psychological pain to this, or I'm going to go insane", yes. All of that. My parents refuse psychological help. I don't have kids, but if I did, I wouldn't be able to take them to my parent's house. It's literally not safe. I had to spend a night there several months ago, and I was coughing for days afterwards from the poor air quality. It's heartbreaking, but it's the honest truth.
I had to deal with my husband's grandmother's hoard. After begging her to move for years she finally agreed IF we.moved all her stuff. So we got rhw biggest storage we.could find, maybe 25x25 or something, and after 6 40ft trailer loads of trash she had a stroke. So she ended up living with us foe the rest of her life and I was left with a giant storage full of her stuff. MOST was trash but under the trash was the most amazing treasure you could imagine. DOZENS of beautiful vintage sikk nightgowns with robes, dozens of sets of China and silverware and vintage midi skirts, and hundreds of pieces of vintage clothing. It took me SEVERAL YEARS to get rid of that stuff, and I still have some of it today. Hoarding is definitely contagious under the right circumstances. I'm just glad I'm moving the other direction now. I still miss some of the things I got rid of, but I can't live surrounded by her hoard.
Thank you for giving this to non-members prematurely. I especially appreciated the stories of your background. I will still execute my planned campaign of forcing each of my family members to consider following
Just the beginning explanation of how you did this made my eyes cross thats a lot of files and I appreciate your work and being a member is a good value for me
I LOVED this long video where you got to really see what it takes to clean a house like this start to finish. I know it was a hell of a lot of work for you, but just know that you have an audience that loves these "cleaning movies". Also, as a professional cleaner myself, I cannot believe the amount of work you did here. A video would not capture in the slightest how long each step of this would take, how much you'd be sweating, how tired and sore your body would be. The level of detail and care and consideration you gave to this job, even tho just doing "the basics" would have been monumentally difficult all on its own is so insanely impressive to me. Your work ethic, your physical and mental strength, your compassion, and your cleaning skills are absolutely astonishing to me. I know what it takes to do this job. Know that you are seen and appreciated. Mad respect
That was great! I loved it being long and with you talking us through it. It was a marathon job for you, but I'm sure the owners would have been really grateful. I got much more of an impression of how nice a house that is seeing it all in one like this. It's a really nice old farm house. I've live in there. I love all the wood. Obviously I'd want the floors sanding and refinishing (shame because sanding doesn't do the wood much good, but essential in this place). I would not replace the windows. I'd find craftsmen to fix them and adjust them. I would, however, have to have the kitchen stripped completely and start again with new floor and plaster walls. All that glowing golden wood makes it look so warm and comfortable. The textured ceilings (I hate those) I'd skim with plaster and get rid of it. The whole house could look awesome, especially with those period furniture pieces and more to match. But not too much. I think the mistake modern people make with antiques is over-doing it and just cluttering the place up. I assume there should be metal grills over the floor vents? I would be a bit keen to know how to clean the heating system and ducts out before it got switched on again.
As someone who HAS sanded and refinished hardwood floors, it is DEFINITELY not easier lmao. Took my partner and I over 3 weeks (working in the evenings because we both have jobs) and a whole team of family members chipping in, and we only did around 800 square feet of floor. And that was with consultation from a family member who used to do this professionally and already had the equipment.
Thank you for bringing awareness to PTSD and ADHD! My son was diagnosed about age 12 with ADHD and suffered a TBI, plus PTSD as a result of his tour in Iraq. After he succumbed to Veteran suicide, his wife had to pay for 3 dumpsters in order to get rid of all of his "treasures." We still have things from his childhood that he wouldn't allow me to declutter and/or repurpose and his wife has things as well. It is a definite delicate balance to bring it to their attention and to help them to stop the hoarding. I appreciate you and your videos!
I love it. I had only seen the kitchen and I think the living room before. I know editing all of this down took a tremendous amount of time and effort, but please know IT IS TOTALLY APPRECIATED.
Thank you for taking the time to do this. I like to see the process in order. So glad you took out the music and narrated these early videos. I had to watch the originals on mute. So much better. ❤
You are inspiring - I can't watch one of your videos without going to clean 3 ft. It helps understanding some of the emotional or mental blocks I (we) have to cleaning. I'm 73 and you're helping us tremendously.
This video really shows how resilient certain materials are. Even after sitting uncleaned under a hoard, they can still be shined up and look new again. Linoleum and stainless steel really are workhorses of a kitchen.
The way this house looks (the hard wood floors that have matching baseboards, wall panelinh etc) is exactly how my grandmothers house looked. She was also a hoarder. My uncle paid a lot of money after she passed to have it emptied. But then he let his daughter move in, and unfortunately, she was a severe addict. The house ended up trashed in a different way. My mom now has the home and it is taking years and lots of money to redo the whole home. But as she has the floors refinished and the old paneling removed and new paint and a whole new bathroom put in..its amazing how beautiful the home looks. ❤ You did an amazing job on this home and the floors were so gorgeous! Thank you for opening this video. I truly enjoyed every minute ❤
thank you so much for empathizing with the relatives and loved ones of someone with hoarding disorder. 💖 it's easy to miss that a person with mental illness's loved ones are just as affected as the person themself.
I certainly enjoyed this video with the re-edit and narration. I know you must have been exhausted everyday while working on that house. Thanks for uploading this video and all the work it took to post it. You are such a great person for doing this kind of work for free!
Excellent video, Mack. I really enjoyed seeing the details of the 60 hour clean and just how much work you had to do to get to the "after" shots. The story of the family made so much more sense this time and was all the more heart-breaking.
Congrats on the 600,000! I can't wait to see you hit a million. On another note, I can relate to the bit about helping until you just can't do it any more. In my family it wasn't hoarding but a different addiction and there's only so many years you can take it. It's sad for the person with the problem and it's sad for the family in general. I'm sure the gentleman who inherited this house was extremely grateful to have the help.
Thank you for giving credit to the people having to deal with these clean-ups. We're actually living through this scenario. Had to evict and need to refurb and sell. It was complete with cat and mice feces, as well as human mess - she clearly had a fecal incontinence issue. We found cases of adult diapers in the basement. Those were covered in mice droppings. Nothing was savable/donation worthy. It, too, took us weeks to empty and sanitize, and we needed to do that before the renovations began, so that we had a safe place to work, and so that there's no remnants of unhealthy living conditions just covered over. . We were in bio-suits until that was complete. We ARE gutting the kitchen and bath and tearing up hardwood floors, taking walls down to the studs. Because we are DIYing it, our costs are lower than what you've stated, at about 1/3 of those costs because we're only dealing with supply costs and we have the know how, BUT we both have full-time jobs, so it's weekend work only. Note: It also took over $15000 in legal fees for the eviction process which took the better part of a year because she didn't leave even when the court ordered her to do so. That took another hearing and a deadline with the police showing up to pull her out. Side note: She's no longer living alone. Someone took her in, and I hope she's getting the mental health assistance and supervision she needs to prevent her from living in those toxic health conditions again. Please say a prayer for the person who let her move in, that they're able to prevent her from destroying their house too.
I actually mopped my kitchen floor today.I think the last time was a few mos ago.I used the wet Swifter mop cloths.I sprayed some mean green spray on the bad spots first.
Thank you for your conscience effort to inform everyone of a hoarder’s mental health issues and showing so much empathy and compassion for these individuals. I was an office support worker at a mental health clinic for 12 years and everything you mentioned is true and factual on this condition. Bless you for doing this work for no charge and improving lives.
Yes, this was a long video but I enjoyed every second of it 😃 😊!!!! This was awesome! Thanks for taking the time to put it all together and talk to us again about some of the story of this house. The work you did with those floors was incredible!! I am curious about whether they could actually be refinished and kept, or could they stay and just be covered by carpet or laminate floors or something else 🤔. I hope the guys who inherited that beast have been able to do something more with it and that it's become more an asset than liability. Enjoyed it, Mack. Take care. Hoping Emily is doing okay and that her surgery soon gets done and is successful so she can shift into recovery mode. Thinking of you all. 🤗 ❤️ 😍
I inherited this exact mess. I can't even find anyone to help clean it as I live out of state. One guy wants $17k just to dump the furniture and garbage. Thanks dad.
Inherited a house and the lawyer guy asked if it was a hoarder house in our first meeting, this is apparently common and serious enough to ask since it greatly complicates selling or renting out the thing.
Im no professional, but for me I think I'd find some enjoyment cleaning a place like this. But good god I'd be upset if I inherited it. It would be disappointing:/
Thank you Mack, for releasing this to non-members, it was really interesting to see the whole house transformation and your narration and education about these situations is absolutely fascinating. The amount of work you put into this house was unbelievable and I can well imagine you brought a ray of sunshine into the life of the poor guy who inherited this house. Thank you again.
Oooh--2 hours!! I've swapped out the laundry and sprayed down the walls in the guest room (please don't ask). I figure if I can't get you to NC to help clean my house, having you talk in my ear while I clean is the next best thing. Thank you--you are so awesome!
We had a house in SC that I had to bleach the walls to keep the mold away. However I was 16 at the time and it was torture to teenage me to do that weekly.
Congratulations on 600k!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Thank you for the re-do of this video. You are one great individual with all the help you give others. You are an inspiration. Also the pink gloves with the floral cuffs were so fancy. I am envious ❤
Even if the house were being prepared for rental, renting an outdated house that is CLEAN is far from being a slumlord. What a Godsend you are to people like this. Great editing...Before/Afters were amazing. The owner must have been shocked at the difference.
Oh way, I don’t think I’ve seen this one yet. That stove in the beginning gave me chills. Bless you for everything you do to help people who desperately need it. Please don’t forget your gloves & mask anymore though. ❤️🙏💪
The way i dealt with this with my mom is i would travel to her apartment wvery 2 weeks to clean. I did this for about a year until she had a few falls, then told her she was moving in with me. She agreed, and was upset that i had to throw so much away. I told her i have 900 square feet of living space and 2 other people at home. Your whold apartment will not fit in my house. Also, you're on oxygen and i have a gas stove, so you won't be cooking anymore, so you won't be needing any of that. To that she replied to please give certain items to certain people because she saw them as valuable. She understood, but to this day, something will come up in convo and "I HAD one of those in my apartment!"
@tinaswider1033 ouch! Mine lived 2 hours away. She's in a nursing home now. She stayed with me for a few years, but her COPD is getting to where she needs full-time care, and I have to work. Hubby is disabled.
Congrats on the 600K subs. I’ve been with you since way before you even had 100k subscribers and I haven’t missed a video yet. This house was one of the my favorite clean ups and the bio hazard house.
Your dedication and compassion is amazing. Your cleaning abilities are excellent. I have learned a lot from you and your channel. Thank you for that. My uncle recently passed. My family cleaned out his home. There were things that we never imaged he would have. His home was not a nasty mess but once we started getting under the beds and in the hidden little places we found a lot of stuff full of dust and odd things that he had kept over the years. We were all amazed and frustrated at what he had duplicates of that he never used, brand new stuff, or an odd random thing in a random place. Your videos helped me understand about why he kept some things they way that he did. I’m very thankful for your talks as well as the content.
Another thing people don't realize is when contractors are gutting places that are absolutely filthy and trashed like this one, disturbance of the grime will make whatever pathogens that are lurking everywhere become airborne and possibly land said contractors in the hospital. Not only is cleaning this place making it easier to work in, you’re literally preventing someone from possibly contracting a life threatening illness
And generally because if that amongst other things, contractors would be allowed to refused to do work in these conditions. It would actually be be almost impossible to get a regular worker to work in a place that’s like that. So it’s very, very needed to do that cleaning prior :’)
So sad to see a house that was built with such care and pride so badly ruined is enough to make a person weep. I hope the owners were able to restore it to some degree and that someday you can give an update on its present condition. My grandparents had a lovely old 150 year old farmhouse in Ohio. They don’t make them like that anymore. I still dream about it.
Absolutely love the Mega video!! Quite the transformation. I'll bet this home was beautiful when it was first built, with all the knotty pine and wood floors. As you said the furniture was all premium pieces. Thanks again and take care ❤
I'm so glad that you shared this longer video with us. It really puts the whole process into perspective. I'm sure the owners were so extremely grateful to you for your grace and kindness. The complete transformation was amazing. Your voice is so soothing that I just put this on while I was working and enjoyed your process. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for all you do for these homeowners, and for how you inspire the rest of us. With kids I've learned to accept a higher level of mess than I used to, but your videos have encouraged me to take the cleaning in smaller chunks. Much less overwhelming and no more low-level anxiety when I look at the clutter! Plus so many cleaning tips!
Out of all of the homes I've watched you work on/in this is the one I really want to see a follow up on. I think these were the vids I subbed to. Thank you for producing this for us members.
FYI about bleach/chlorine: If you get sick from the smell of bleach/chlorine, there's a really good chance you have a fungal/yeast overgrowth. I used to love the smell of bleach, reminded me of swimming in pools and of clean whites I would hang on the line as a child. Then I would get so ill feeling when I bleached laundry or went to a swimming pool. I learned that I was breathing out some ammonia due to an overgrowth of fungus/yeast in my entire system. Was told this was nuts and not possible but there it was. I used lots of garlic tablets and diet to correct this systemic problem. Now I can use bleach without getting sick. Thank you for all the stuff you teach on this channel. It's given me more empathy for myself. Sharing your channel every chance I get.
I truly applaud you in your efforts and success. Personally, I joined to get encouragement and learn from your skills. I have a family, friends, life, and job/hobbies that I don't watch to criticize or just watch. The difference your channel has made in my becoming organized life after trauma is so appreciated! Add your soothing voice.
When I watch videos like this I get this delusional heroic vibe like "put me in there, I'll clean it!". But then I sit back and continue watching and start gagging at the the thought. In my mind I'm built for this, but in reality I'd probably run out screaming. This is not for the weak. You're doing the Lord's work.
I love the long videos. It gives me energy to clean and I'll re watch them (I even re listen to them to go to sleep to. You have a chill voice and its kind of asmr with the cleaning sounds 😌). Seeing you make it look so easy fills the spot in my brain that "He did that, I can do that!" Sometimes I feel my mind thinks it doesn't know the best way to clean or tidy something so I procrastinate on it hoping it will come to me. I think at times it can't be that simple. But it can be. I don't have to be a perfectionist that I don't know how to be. It's not easy but little by little I've been tackling more and coming to terms with letting go of things little by little. So thank you for kind of being a teacher on cleaning and that it's not a scary thing to tackle.
My parents (depression era) bought old houses in rundown condition (built in 1810, wallpaper hanging off walls, one electric outlet/room, etc) and gradually remodeled them when they earned money to pay cash for everything. My point is that a lot of people in the US would just be happy to have a house to live in. You do not need modern appliances to be happy!
The first thing to do is praise you for your committment to help folks with this unique and critical need. Your work, and your willingness to do things very few people would do is absolutely awesome. Now a question: Have you ever tried using a rotating floor scrubber/polisher (with a brush disk) to clean other floors in the condition seen in this video? As you said about using water, you really can't make them any worse. The last time I used one was in the miitary six decades ago, but the only thing left on the floor after we used that machine was the wax. Best wishes as you continue on this journey.
Great job on the MEGA re-edit! ! These are my favorite types of videos and enjoyed every bit of it....the narration, the background noises, the inside scoop on the situation, the length. The before and after pics are amazing. The owner is so fortunate that you volunteered to do this. I know he was pleased. Thanks for sharing it with the members!!
Hello Sir. Your empathy, critical thinking, and clear way of explaining things is rather wonderful. Keep doing what you're doing. It makes the world a better place.
Appreciate this video so much. Great format to include all the days of cleaning this same house. Really got a sense of the beauty of this house when it was initially built. As I watched you clean I imagined scenarios of the history of the house. Maybe the sons had lived in the house as children and their mother had set it up with lovely furniture but she eventually passed away. Afterward their Dad lived alone then with the hoarder person later in his life. I can understand the son's aggravation when they finally take the house back. What a great gift you gave them.
The people ranting in the comment section of the original video need to go touch grass! You did a great job and definitely helped a lot of people by cleaning this mess.
I think this is really inspiring! Modern home remodel shows imply some messes are not worth cleaning up, or are impossible to clean enough to function. Your videos prove that's not true. Imagine if, instead of throwing out perfectly good kitchens, people would just clean up what's there and make just minor necessary (or valuable to them) updates. There would be so much less waste. This video is an extreme example of a mindset we've lost in our culture. Thank you for sharing with viewrs at large!
Love your videos and the fact that you educate about hoarding and humanize the situation. Have you found houses in the rural areas are worse than ones in the city? Living in the country myself, I find it hard to get rid of large junk that can't fit in the bin.
In our rural area if you have any scrap metal, tanks, broken lawn mowers, appliances, ect. collect a truck load and advertize it for scrappers for free and put will remove add if taken. Then pile at end of area they can just take with a free scrap sign. We have veterans resale pickup for small appliances and clothing in good condition call to schedule pickup, must clearly mark for them each item. We have habitat for humanity resale stores for good construction materials, paint, windows, doors, good furniture, call for pickup. We also have furniture consignment stores, some pickup if good items. We too have a community day for large items once a year. Best Buy and office stores take most electronics but not tvs. We and our neighbors are learning. There's always facebook marketplace free section too. If you can put on covered porch with pic and sign or anywhere you don't have to answer calls and the door too many times.
Thank you so much for re-doing this video. My husband and his sisters suffered so much trauma and they all suffer from hoarding and I believe they need real help. Even tried to "help" over the years. You have taught me to see this from their perspectives and I can at minimum show empathy and kindess. My husband has to keep his hoard to the garage, shed, his side of our bedroom and his closet. This is hard to deal with and I am not always kind about it. I have shared some of your videos but he seems to take them as permission. Well, we at least can talk about it. Which is better. I dont plan on giving up on him. At least I know he trying to protect himself. His heart is so broken but still after 40 years he is the nicest guy with the biggest heart I have ever been privileged to know. Thanks Mack for sharing your insight. And making me a better person.❤
Thank you for releasing this so the rest of us could appreciate your hard work. I love the old furniture. That bedroom suite is beautiful! I can relate to everything you say about hording being a mental disease. I have issues i dont share with family or friends.
Congrats!you are doing great have been watching for several months never miss a video.thank you for the work you are doing, you are providing a good service on your way to that gold button
So sorry you have to deal with idiotic comments. Know that our huge group of dedicated followers knows that you are doing everything with common sense, with knowledge of the family and it’s real situation, and that you are doing everything possible to handle it. Bless you for doing it.
Aw Mack the world's a much better place with you and your lovely family in it! I remember watching this video the first time and I'm just as excited watching it again this evening:) thank you!
At times when I cleaned my mother-in-law’s hoarder house, I wanted to give up and “gut it.” But it was HERS and my fiduciary duty was to recover the greatest value out of her house to pay for her care. I found that I could make a lot of it look really good with hard work, and then ultimately paint and replace flooring to transform it into something that was a great blessing to the next family and garnered $50,000 more than the first realtor estimated. Her home and modest investments, carefully managed, covered her expensive full-time care in the final years and then left the children with inheritance. Worth the effort, for sure.
Bravo for you!! You went to the final mile for the estate; it shows such deep respect for her!!
Most inheritance $$ is wiped out paying for nursing home.
@@hattiem.7966 It is not "inheritace money" it is money for their old age. it does not belong to the heirs.
@@SharonOnTheNetit really depends on the person. some people make sure to save more than they are likely to need, planning for emergencies in old age. in that case, the role of that money is to go to their heirs, and it IS iheritance money.
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Since you are used to "I would've just . . " I'm going to add one. I would've just sat down on the porch and cried. You are a hero and one brave soul.
This is how I handled cleaning out my dad's horde when he had to move. Just cried until I finally had the nerve to start shoveling.
even if it was gutted i would also just cry anyway
I'm looking at this, and I think I'd have seriously started wondering if I could get away with burning it down.
I would get a large bottle of hard liquor and then sit and cry
I would love to know how much you charged these people for your services?
Your “Hi Memberssssss” is the highlight of my week, 😂. Your narration is wonderful because your voice is soothing. And I can’t say enough about your compassion and empathy ❤❤❤
😂 I LOVE love love the HIIIIII members 😂😂😂 love when he has new videos 💗💖💕🥰
Wish I could give TWO thumbs up.
I’m glad you said Mack’s voice is soothing, I feel the same way. I actually turn on this channel when I’m going to bed, so basically I sleep with Mack every night 😂😂😂.
@@adrienneforeman2153 thanks for the idea. I have trouble sleeping & have a (bad) habit of falling asleep to the tv. You're right about Mac's voice, I'm going to try sleeping with Mack myself 😉😉😉
Wish I could afford the members tier.Your amazing, kind and generous.You certainly have opened my eyes . I love your videos and you have a great voice
I totally understand about the clothes. I did Home Health Nursing. I’ve been in houses like this. I bought my work clothes from WalMart or thrift stores. And yes, there were times I came home and stripped on the back porch, and threw the clothes in the garbage. I didn’t want the clothes in my house, or in my Washer/Dryer. I really admire the work you do.
I’m so glad you are re-doing these early videos with voiceover. It’s a completely different experience watching them and I’m really enjoying it.
I love how the answer to a lot of the "Why don't you just ..." questions is "Because I care about other people, too." I commend you for that attitude.
Wow, unbelievable
I LOVE super long videos like this because I have ADHD so putting on something like this while I'm cleaning helps me feel like I'm not doing it alone and it makes it easier for me to finish, so thank you for this.
This is an awesome treat!! I love his longer videos toooo 💖💕💗
True
Body doubling for the win!
@@DinaZavraChannelyes! I learned about body doubling from Mack, it’s so so helpful!
same here 🧡
Your channel is a godsend. I think a lot of people don’t quite understand the health and sanitation implications of having a dirty home. Thank you for educating us all 🙌🏼
So refreshing in these times to find someone who is genuinely compassionate and thinks of someone besides themselves. You are a PRINCE and you restore my faith in humanity. Or at least improve it a little bit. 😏It was extra satisfying to watch this one, even with the drawbacks the drill brush results were pretty cool.
Yeah, this guy's definitely doing the Lords work!🎉😊
I enjoy the high speed/fast forward cleaning noises. They are so much better than being forced to listen to bad (or just not my taste) music.
It always makes me sad to see a hoarder home get cleaned out, but the house itself sustained too much damage. Such a waste. I appreciate your tips & tricks. You did a wonderful job on a property where most of us would run away screaming!! Thanks!
I hate the asmr noises people do when they tap their nails on things, or it’s just the sound of plastic packets being opened or things being slid into place.
But these high speed noises are aoooooo pleasant to me
Such impressive work. This was a huge job, shows your attention to detail and your layer process. You are so correct about how this home was treated. It is criminal to not care about how you destroy a quality built building. What a massive amount of work, and editing. Grand job. You always show the truth.
As a former maintenance man for a low income housing community, I can tell you this type of situation is depressingly common. I've polished many a turd in my day, but this one is really special. Really takes me back. What a stinker. 👍
It's irritating when people say "oh you should just redo everything." You're right. People really underestimate the costs of raw materials. Even plywood and drywall isn't cheap.
I also think people are ignoring the environmental impact of the "rip it out and replace" crowd, not just the cost in time and money. It costs an enormous amount of energy and sometimes environmental destruction to create those raw materials.
If there's any way you can reuse them, you are keeping that "embodied energy" in use and out of the landfill.
@@discoj7112 I think people care far too much about environmental costs. We're already fucked. We're going to have to engineer active solutions to climate change. The point we could have fixed it by was 2015. Sorry, we didn't. So can you please stop bothering us about eco crap? The planet lost and will have to be actively managed by large technological solutions such as carbon capture. Let people who wound up with a biohazerdious home have a safe place to exist.
Then again, this is a house in the middle of nowhere. Just put a match to it, it's not like anyone desperately wants to live there.
@@Volkbrecht that what we do out in the sticks lol
Yes it does cost a lot. But NO ONE is going to live there, even after the cleaning. I will bet it still stinks to high heaven even the day after the cleaning was done. As Volk said, burning it would have had a better outcome than the cleaning. Except for our entertainment, that is.
This composite video gave us a much better idea of the extent of the problem, the hard work involved, the difference you are making to the world one house at a time, and (particularly) how you are educating people like me about the mental illness that is hoarding.
I sincerely hope your one millionth subscriber is not too far off. You deserve it. Thank you for all that you do.
Your editing work is so impressive and much appreciated! This house is such a big job. So satisfying, thank you. ❤😊
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I’m glad you put it all together in one video. Feature film video indeed! I watched this and my husband watched Quigley Down Under and you lasted almost as long as Quigley did, lol!
You’re right, this home was well crafted and you did it a great service with your meticulous cleaning. Your compassion, kindness towards those with mental illnesses is what we all need more of. Thank you!
2 great videos this one and Quigley Down Under - I love that movie ❤
The sad thing is that after the cleaning, you can tell it was once a lovely home.
Yeah, that's my sentiment exactly... What a shame it ended up being basically ruined.
ikr? I was looking at those gorgeous wooden doors and that lovely trim. so very sad.
Yeah at first I was like: Why clean it, throw the whole kitchen out. But then I saw it looked actually pretty good cleaned. I would still throw it out though, wouldn't wanna cook with that germ infested stove ever again
That's one of the really sad things when a hoarder lives in a nice old house. The original features never got the HGTV treatment because they're too poor to change them, but then the features still end up needing to be ripped out in the end because of the hoarding damage.
@@blazertundrapeople watch too much HGTV anyway 🤷🏻♂️
All the exclusive members videos make me feel like I'm a member by some one week gifted membership! I really liked the feature film, it only lacked moose. I'm amazed how clean you got even this house and thinking how exoensive and hard to find living space is especially these days, I really hope the owner was able to get the house back into a state of livable. Loved the wooden floors, they shine almost golden in the sun. I hope that whenever a hoarder sees your videos, they decide to get help, for both their sake and whoever else is affected by the hoard.
This was freaking epic! Thank you for the mega movie marathon clean with the new voice over. Straight G. I enjoyed that spin kick straight to my optic nerve
You have a kind heart to think of the other contractors and family that have to deal with the mess left behind by hoarders. I was one of those family members left to deal with a condo that was an absolute mess when my mother finally went into assisted living. Cleaning out her bathroom was the most traumatic experience of my life! Hoarding Disorder is an underestimated mental condition that impacts the patient and the extended family. Thank you for supporting those who have few resources to turn to for such help.
How I wish I were watching this video two generations ago when I attempted to "help" my grandmother with her hoard. She wanted everything clean, bright, and new, but she would NOT let me throw anything out. She ended up being evicted, living with her brother - also a hoarder, and died alone in a hospital somewhere.
When I started trying to pare down my mother's home, I realized the extent of her mother's mental illness and it flowing down to her. Fortunately, in one regard, my mother has dementia, so I can readily get rid of things that are unnecessary to keep. By the time she passes, I'll have little more to do than a nominal clear-out, and more time for grieving.
Naturally, I've discovered MY own hoarding tendencies, but have been actively trying to "death clean" now, so people won't have to clean up after me.
If I had the empathy back then which you are portraying now, I would have not held on to the anger and frustration I carried cleaning out hoards for years. You are helping more people than you know, and to all of those haters & "I woulda, coulda, shouldas", they can all suck it.
Amen.
Thank you for the "death clean" comment. I am 69 and have a incurable chronic lung disease. I am now a person with a "death clean" mindset. Thanks. God bless you all.
I can relate! When my mom died, she had disowned me 7 yrs prior and left everything to my brother, who promptly took charge in clearing out her hoards so he could rent out her house to a friend to cover the expenses. He still gave me the $ she left me and helped me into my new mobile home after my 100 yr old house had caught fire and forced me out. He has OCD and I was never so grateful for him being the one who took charge of her house bc she had collected food, clothes, shoes, gadgets, sewing materials, tools, etc and he took care of it all!🎉❤😊
Glad you've learned so much from this channel and have been making your own preparations.
I hope all is well.and sending you best wishes ans positive vibes 💜
Hoarding was definitely a branch on my mother's mental health tree, as well. She had PTSD, OCD, hoarding disorder, and a laundry list of other factors that just made it all worse. I say had because she now also has dementia. Cleaning up her hoard one last time before she got evicted from the last place she lived independently was heartbreaking because we were in a rush and had to abandon so much. One of the last things I did was go on a whirlwind hunt for family photos and important documents. I, too, practice death cleaning as a result. At least once a year, I'll do a thorough examination of my stuff while I'm cleaning. As hard as it might seem, it's actually very cathartic as the child of a hoarder. I can part with things and feel good about it.
Your take on horrible, disgusting messes makes me feel better. You and the other youTube cleaners are true heroes. No matter how I feel, I get up and toss trash,
do the laundry, clean the cat litter, wash the dishes, and do all the other daily chores that make our place a home. Again, thanks. Tina, Al's wife
This video gives a different perspective on just how much work you put into this house. You did an incredible job that I don’t think anyone else could do❤️ Your editing skills are amazing as well
Thank you. Not only for all the work on the house to make it safer for workers yet to come. Also for the many hours in editing this video. I truly appreciate it.
So glad you pointed out the armchair quarterbacks who say "Why clean something that's getting replaced?" I'm an interior designer and I can promise you contractors worry about their health when taking out old things.
Yes! And you cannot safely wear those special masks for too long while exerting yourself! You'll pass out.😢
A lot of these sevices will refuse to enter/work on the property as well until it is safe!
@@honeybadgerisme ... Please start jogging or something. Your cardio and respiratory health are very very poor if you believe that wearing a respirator and working is any more taxing than working without one. IF you're a smoker, quit.
@@MeepChangeling I get plenty of cardio and I trained with respirators as a medical scientist in the Army...so there's that. Maybe you should put on a respirator and do some demolition or volunteer with Habitat for Humanity while wearing one (& don't forget the tyvek suit needed to go with it) and stay at it all day--then get back with us how you did? You're so fit! I bet you don't even take it off on your break! Break? You won't even need a break! You won't even break a sweat by your 7th hour and you'll do the work of two men!
Do it. Then talk.
@@honeybadgerisme false, I wear them 8-9 hours a day for my job and somehow have never passed out lmao
You're a really great commentator. I enjoy how you explain things so thoroughly. Plus your cleaning skills are unmatched. Thanks for helping folks who are unable to help themselves.
Currently in a bipolar depressive episode. Been trying to clean for months. This channel has been the closest thing to actually get up and get it done, please keep doing what you’re doing, push me over the cleaning rut lol
Love the train track analogy. Also heard a good one for ADHD, It is like sitting you on the center line of a busy highway with a calculus book and telling you to learn it by reading. Really helped me to understand my son's learning issues. Thank you for continuing my learning.
You are so right about “just gutting the kitchen”, we did all the work ourselves and it still cost 20,000 for a SMALL kitchen. I have empathy for people with hoarding but I feel even more for the poor animals 😢 I love your videos!!
Agree, with a contractor ours cost $45k, but $10k of that was asbestos abatement. So $35k for kitchen cabinets, countertop, sink, faucet, floor, subfloor, and insulation (under the floor) replacement in a small kitchen. I'm Canadian so our prices are higher and this was mid covid when wood/hardware went stupid price. It was an insurance claim so I'm sure some of that was inflated as well to line their pockets, but it was still an insane price to just "gut" a kitchen.
Thats A LOT of work! Even "just" the gutting. Damn, swinging a sledgehammer and carrying it out or to a pile, it's exhausting. Nevermind the money. "Just" the physical labor is intense.
Growing up, every house we lived in we did some kind of renovation or painting or simple repair - like new flooring. And we moved every two years. So I learned a lot and even with my child k owledge and experience, even I know how much work it takes.
I hope you love your new kitchen. Cheers! 💜
Us too, but because my son has great connections, it was under 10 K.
Yep. My family did a remodel on our relatively small kitchen 10 years ago. We kept the original hardwood cabinets and did all the demo work and repainting ourselves. The contractor was a friend of the family and he charged far less than the going rate. The bill for that remodel was still around $20k.
Thank you for “Midwest Magic the Movie.” Can’t wait for Son of Midwest Magic, the Return of Midwest Magic, Midwest Magic Rides Again, and the rest of the franchise. 👏
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Cleaning is your way of changing the world for good. You take the dirty and make it clean, the chaotic and make it orderly, the neglected and show it some love and attention. Yes, I said love, you Midwestern tough guy. Deal with it! Who thought you could say "I love you," to your fellow man with a bottle of Clean Freak and a vacuum. (Empathy for both the damaged and the damage they cause to others. Typical!) I demand this channel hit one million subscribers.
I demand this channel hit 2 million subscribers. Because the moose absolutely present such an extra danger!! 🙀
You are entirely correct! Why didn't I think if that? Two million it is!
All I can say is you deserve some kind of medal !! I had an aunt in San Diego I hadn't seen in years. I was in my 60's when I finally went to San Diego to see her. Beautiful, kind woman who was an extreme hoarder. I spent almost my entire visit cleaning. The kitchen I think had demons. I sanitized everything the best I could. This is a woman who hadn't taken a shower in 20 years because she was convinced she would get a cold if she got wet. My head itched for a month after I came back to Oregon. I wish I could say I have a lot of empathy for hoarders. Normally I do have a lot of compassion for almost any kind of human and their issues. But hoarding is completely different for me. Sad.
As the child of a hoarder who's hit that wall of "I can't devote anymore emotional or psychological pain to this, or I'm going to go insane", yes. All of that. My parents refuse psychological help. I don't have kids, but if I did, I wouldn't be able to take them to my parent's house. It's literally not safe. I had to spend a night there several months ago, and I was coughing for days afterwards from the poor air quality. It's heartbreaking, but it's the honest truth.
I'm so sorry. That is unbelievably frustrating.
I'm sorry you have to go though this. Still remember, your responsibility is you first. No one will care for you, when you're not doing it.
I had to deal with my husband's grandmother's hoard. After begging her to move for years she finally agreed IF we.moved all her stuff. So we got rhw biggest storage we.could find, maybe 25x25 or something, and after 6 40ft trailer loads of trash she had a stroke. So she ended up living with us foe the rest of her life and I was left with a giant storage full of her stuff. MOST was trash but under the trash was the most amazing treasure you could imagine. DOZENS of beautiful vintage sikk nightgowns with robes, dozens of sets of China and silverware and vintage midi skirts, and hundreds of pieces of vintage clothing. It took me SEVERAL YEARS to get rid of that stuff, and I still have some of it today. Hoarding is definitely contagious under the right circumstances. I'm just glad I'm moving the other direction now. I still miss some of the things I got rid of, but I can't live surrounded by her hoard.
Sorry for the typos.
@@meganmoore6410 I was a high school English teacher. I missed them. Whoops.
Thank you for giving this to non-members prematurely. I especially appreciated the stories of your background. I will still execute my planned campaign of forcing each of my family members to consider following
Just the beginning explanation of how you did this made my eyes cross thats a lot of files and I appreciate your work and being a member is a good value for me
I LOVED this long video where you got to really see what it takes to clean a house like this start to finish. I know it was a hell of a lot of work for you, but just know that you have an audience that loves these "cleaning movies".
Also, as a professional cleaner myself, I cannot believe the amount of work you did here. A video would not capture in the slightest how long each step of this would take, how much you'd be sweating, how tired and sore your body would be. The level of detail and care and consideration you gave to this job, even tho just doing "the basics" would have been monumentally difficult all on its own is so insanely impressive to me. Your work ethic, your physical and mental strength, your compassion, and your cleaning skills are absolutely astonishing to me. I know what it takes to do this job. Know that you are seen and appreciated. Mad respect
That was great! I loved it being long and with you talking us through it. It was a marathon job for you, but I'm sure the owners would have been really grateful.
I got much more of an impression of how nice a house that is seeing it all in one like this. It's a really nice old farm house. I've live in there. I love all the wood. Obviously I'd want the floors sanding and refinishing (shame because sanding doesn't do the wood much good, but essential in this place). I would not replace the windows. I'd find craftsmen to fix them and adjust them. I would, however, have to have the kitchen stripped completely and start again with new floor and plaster walls. All that glowing golden wood makes it look so warm and comfortable.
The textured ceilings (I hate those) I'd skim with plaster and get rid of it. The whole house could look awesome, especially with those period furniture pieces and more to match. But not too much. I think the mistake modern people make with antiques is over-doing it and just cluttering the place up.
I assume there should be metal grills over the floor vents? I would be a bit keen to know how to clean the heating system and ducts out before it got switched on again.
As someone who HAS sanded and refinished hardwood floors, it is DEFINITELY not easier lmao. Took my partner and I over 3 weeks (working in the evenings because we both have jobs) and a whole team of family members chipping in, and we only did around 800 square feet of floor. And that was with consultation from a family member who used to do this professionally and already had the equipment.
Thank you for bringing awareness to PTSD and ADHD! My son was diagnosed about age 12 with ADHD and suffered a TBI, plus PTSD as a result of his tour in Iraq. After he succumbed to Veteran suicide, his wife had to pay for 3 dumpsters in order to get rid of all of his "treasures." We still have things from his childhood that he wouldn't allow me to declutter and/or repurpose and his wife has things as well. It is a definite delicate balance to bring it to their attention and to help them to stop the hoarding. I appreciate you and your videos!
I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss.
@@normahenley5834 I'm very sorry for your loss 😞
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I love it. I had only seen the kitchen and I think the living room before. I know editing all of this down took a tremendous amount of time and effort, but please know IT IS TOTALLY APPRECIATED.
Thank you for taking the time to do this. I like to see the process in order. So glad you took out the music and narrated these early videos. I had to watch the originals on mute. So much better. ❤
You are inspiring - I can't watch one of your videos without going to clean 3 ft. It helps understanding some of the emotional or mental blocks I (we) have to cleaning. I'm 73 and you're helping us tremendously.
This video really shows how resilient certain materials are. Even after sitting uncleaned under a hoard, they can still be shined up and look new again. Linoleum and stainless steel really are workhorses of a kitchen.
The way this house looks (the hard wood floors that have matching baseboards, wall panelinh etc) is exactly how my grandmothers house looked. She was also a hoarder. My uncle paid a lot of money after she passed to have it emptied. But then he let his daughter move in, and unfortunately, she was a severe addict. The house ended up trashed in a different way. My mom now has the home and it is taking years and lots of money to redo the whole home. But as she has the floors refinished and the old paneling removed and new paint and a whole new bathroom put in..its amazing how beautiful the home looks. ❤ You did an amazing job on this home and the floors were so gorgeous! Thank you for opening this video. I truly enjoyed every minute ❤
When you Liquid Gold-ed the living room floor, I heard it go ‘aaahhh’! Beautiful wood in that one bedroom where it wasn’t so damaged.
thank you so much for empathizing with the relatives and loved ones of someone with hoarding disorder. 💖 it's easy to miss that a person with mental illness's loved ones are just as affected as the person themself.
I certainly enjoyed this video with the re-edit and narration. I know you must have been exhausted everyday while working on that house.
Thanks for uploading this video and all the work it took to post it. You are such a great person for doing this kind of work for free!
I really appreciate the hard work that goes into your videos!
Excellent video, Mack. I really enjoyed seeing the details of the 60 hour clean and just how much work you had to do to get to the "after" shots. The story of the family made so much more sense this time and was all the more heart-breaking.
Glad I joined!!
Just cannot imagine. But disorganization is equally challenging.
This is great for hard to clean spaces.
Congrats on the 600,000! I can't wait to see you hit a million. On another note, I can relate to the bit about helping until you just can't do it any more. In my family it wasn't hoarding but a different addiction and there's only so many years you can take it. It's sad for the person with the problem and it's sad for the family in general. I'm sure the gentleman who inherited this house was extremely grateful to have the help.
Thank you for giving credit to the people having to deal with these clean-ups. We're actually living through this scenario. Had to evict and need to refurb and sell. It was complete with cat and mice feces, as well as human mess - she clearly had a fecal incontinence issue. We found cases of adult diapers in the basement. Those were covered in mice droppings. Nothing was savable/donation worthy. It, too, took us weeks to empty and sanitize, and we needed to do that before the renovations began, so that we had a safe place to work, and so that there's no remnants of unhealthy living conditions just covered over. . We were in bio-suits until that was complete. We ARE gutting the kitchen and bath and tearing up hardwood floors, taking walls down to the studs. Because we are DIYing it, our costs are lower than what you've stated, at about 1/3 of those costs because we're only dealing with supply costs and we have the know how, BUT we both have full-time jobs, so it's weekend work only. Note: It also took over $15000 in legal fees for the eviction process which took the better part of a year because she didn't leave even when the court ordered her to do so. That took another hearing and a deadline with the police showing up to pull her out. Side note: She's no longer living alone. Someone took her in, and I hope she's getting the mental health assistance and supervision she needs to prevent her from living in those toxic health conditions again. Please say a prayer for the person who let her move in, that they're able to prevent her from destroying their house too.
These videos make me want to get up and clean!
Me too! I use these videos as motivation.
After watching his videos i do normally get up and clean atleast one area in our home.
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I actually mopped my kitchen floor today.I think the last time was a few mos ago.I used the wet Swifter mop cloths.I sprayed some mean green spray on the bad spots first.
I have ADHD and I’ve found putting RUclips videos on, especially these ones, while I clean/organize helps my brain so much
Thank you for your conscience effort to inform everyone of a hoarder’s mental health issues and showing so much empathy and compassion for these individuals. I was an office support worker at a mental health clinic for 12 years and everything you mentioned is true and factual on this condition. Bless you for doing this work for no charge and improving lives.
Yes, this was a long video but I enjoyed every second of it 😃 😊!!!! This was awesome! Thanks for taking the time to put it all together and talk to us again about some of the story of this house. The work you did with those floors was incredible!! I am curious about whether they could actually be refinished and kept, or could they stay and just be covered by carpet or laminate floors or something else 🤔. I hope the guys who inherited that beast have been able to do something more with it and that it's become more an asset than liability. Enjoyed it, Mack. Take care. Hoping Emily is doing okay and that her surgery soon gets done and is successful so she can shift into recovery mode. Thinking of you all. 🤗 ❤️ 😍
A lot of us have been thinking of Emily lately! And hoping for a complete recovery and the best of outcomes for her.
I loved this so much! It was amazing to see the transformation. You are such a kind and compassionate person. Thanks from Canada,❤
I inherited this exact mess. I can't even find anyone to help clean it as I live out of state. One guy wants $17k just to dump the furniture and garbage. Thanks dad.
Inherited a house and the lawyer guy asked if it was a hoarder house in our first meeting, this is apparently common and serious enough to ask since it greatly complicates selling or renting out the thing.
We inherited one like this and we sold it as is for bare minimum
Im no professional, but for me I think I'd find some enjoyment cleaning a place like this. But good god I'd be upset if I inherited it. It would be disappointing:/
What state? I'd have fun cleaning a home like this.
Craigslist: Estate disposal: All items free/as is.
That will take care of most of it. One man’s junk…. 🙂
Thank you Mack, for releasing this to non-members, it was really interesting to see the whole house transformation and your narration and education about these situations is absolutely fascinating. The amount of work you put into this house was unbelievable and I can well imagine you brought a ray of sunshine into the life of the poor guy who inherited this house. Thank you again.
Oooh--2 hours!! I've swapped out the laundry and sprayed down the walls in the guest room (please don't ask). I figure if I can't get you to NC to help clean my house, having you talk in my ear while I clean is the next best thing. Thank you--you are so awesome!
Wow! That’s quite some compliment Mack 👍
I use these guys as my body double all the time!
Your comment makes me want to get up and clean too!
We had a house in SC that I had to bleach the walls to keep the mold away. However I was 16 at the time and it was torture to teenage me to do that weekly.
Congratulations on 600k!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Thank you for the re-do of this video. You are one great individual with all the help you give others. You are an inspiration. Also the pink gloves with the floral cuffs were so fancy. I am envious ❤
Even if the house were being prepared for rental, renting an outdated house that is CLEAN is far from being a slumlord.
What a Godsend you are to people like this. Great editing...Before/Afters were amazing. The owner must have been shocked at the difference.
Unbelievable job you did! Actually a very lovely home. What a sad illness. Thank you for sharing the complete work. 🥰
Oh way, I don’t think I’ve seen this one yet. That stove in the beginning gave me chills. Bless you for everything you do to help people who desperately need it. Please don’t forget your gloves & mask anymore though. ❤️🙏💪
Unbelievable transformation. Well done!
The way i dealt with this with my mom is i would travel to her apartment wvery 2 weeks to clean. I did this for about a year until she had a few falls, then told her she was moving in with me. She agreed, and was upset that i had to throw so much away. I told her i have 900 square feet of living space and 2 other people at home. Your whold apartment will not fit in my house. Also, you're on oxygen and i have a gas stove, so you won't be cooking anymore, so you won't be needing any of that. To that she replied to please give certain items to certain people because she saw them as valuable. She understood, but to this day, something will come up in convo and "I HAD one of those in my apartment!"
I feel your pain, but at least you lived nearby! I had to do something similar - but Mom was 1800 miles away
@tinaswider1033 ouch! Mine lived 2 hours away. She's in a nursing home now. She stayed with me for a few years, but her COPD is getting to where she needs full-time care, and I have to work. Hubby is disabled.
Congrats on the 600K subs. I’ve been with you since way before you even had 100k subscribers and I haven’t missed a video yet. This house was one of the my favorite clean ups and the bio hazard house.
The act of cleaning is restoring and giving back dignity.
Thank You.
Indeed it gives me great hope❤
I watched original with you. This long version was fantastic and enjoyed it. Liquid Gold❤️
Thank you for marking my afternoon a bit better 😊 I really needed it.
Your dedication and compassion is amazing. Your cleaning abilities are excellent. I have learned a lot from you and your channel. Thank you for that. My uncle recently passed. My family cleaned out his home. There were things that we never imaged he would have. His home was not a nasty mess but once we started getting under the beds and in the hidden little places we found a lot of stuff full of dust and odd things that he had kept over the years. We were all amazed and frustrated at what he had duplicates of that he never used, brand new stuff, or an odd random thing in a random place. Your videos helped me understand about why he kept some things they way that he did. I’m very thankful for your talks as well as the content.
Congratulations on reaching 600,000 subscribers! It won’t be long now until 1,000,000 subscribers!
Another thing people don't realize is when contractors are gutting places that are absolutely filthy and trashed like this one, disturbance of the grime will make whatever pathogens that are lurking everywhere become airborne and possibly land said contractors in the hospital. Not only is cleaning this place making it easier to work in, you’re literally preventing someone from possibly contracting a life threatening illness
And generally because if that amongst other things, contractors would be allowed to refused to do work in these conditions. It would actually be be almost impossible to get a regular worker to work in a place that’s like that. So it’s very, very needed to do that cleaning prior :’)
So sad to see a house that was built with such care and pride so badly ruined is enough to make a person weep. I hope the owners were able to restore it to some degree and that someday you can give an update on its present condition. My grandparents had a lovely old 150 year old farmhouse in Ohio. They don’t make them like that anymore. I still dream about it.
Absolutely love the Mega video!! Quite the transformation. I'll bet this home was beautiful when it was first built, with all the knotty pine and wood floors. As you said the furniture was all premium pieces. Thanks again and take care ❤
[SINGS] We built this channel...we built this channel on rot and mould - Built this channel, we built this channel on rot and mou-oooold!" 🎵🎵🎵
🤣🤣
@@MidwestMagicCleaning that can now live rent free in YOUR head instead of mine. You're welcome, son.
Lol Cookwitch and Mack.😂😂😂😂😂
oh nooooooo 😭
I will never hear that song correctly again! 🤣
@@jlaurelc Same! 😂😂😂
I'm so glad that you shared this longer video with us. It really puts the whole process into perspective. I'm sure the owners were so extremely grateful to you for your grace and kindness. The complete transformation was amazing. Your voice is so soothing that I just put this on while I was working and enjoyed your process. Thanks for sharing this.
I wish we could have an update on the current state of this house.
Thank you for all that you do.
Thank you for all you do for these homeowners, and for how you inspire the rest of us. With kids I've learned to accept a higher level of mess than I used to, but your videos have encouraged me to take the cleaning in smaller chunks. Much less overwhelming and no more low-level anxiety when I look at the clutter! Plus so many cleaning tips!
Out of all of the homes I've watched you work on/in this is the one I really want to see a follow up on.
I think these were the vids I subbed to. Thank you for producing this for us members.
FYI about bleach/chlorine: If you get sick from the smell of bleach/chlorine, there's a really good chance you have a fungal/yeast overgrowth. I used to love the smell of bleach, reminded me of swimming in pools and of clean whites I would hang on the line as a child. Then I would get so ill feeling when I bleached laundry or went to a swimming pool. I learned that I was breathing out some ammonia due to an overgrowth of fungus/yeast in my entire system. Was told this was nuts and not possible but there it was. I used lots of garlic tablets and diet to correct this systemic problem. Now I can use bleach without getting sick.
Thank you for all the stuff you teach on this channel. It's given me more empathy for myself. Sharing your channel every chance I get.
I truly applaud you in your efforts and success. Personally, I joined to get encouragement and learn from your skills. I have a family, friends, life, and job/hobbies that I don't watch to criticize or just watch.
The difference your channel has made in my becoming organized life after trauma is so appreciated! Add your soothing voice.
When I watch videos like this I get this delusional heroic vibe like "put me in there, I'll clean it!". But then I sit back and continue watching and start gagging at the the thought. In my mind I'm built for this, but in reality I'd probably run out screaming. This is not for the weak. You're doing the Lord's work.
I enjoyed "Midwest Magic Cleaning: The Movie" 10 out of 10 would recommend, two glove-clad thumbs up!
I love the long videos. It gives me energy to clean and I'll re watch them (I even re listen to them to go to sleep to. You have a chill voice and its kind of asmr with the cleaning sounds 😌). Seeing you make it look so easy fills the spot in my brain that "He did that, I can do that!" Sometimes I feel my mind thinks it doesn't know the best way to clean or tidy something so I procrastinate on it hoping it will come to me. I think at times it can't be that simple. But it can be. I don't have to be a perfectionist that I don't know how to be. It's not easy but little by little I've been tackling more and coming to terms with letting go of things little by little. So thank you for kind of being a teacher on cleaning and that it's not a scary thing to tackle.
My parents (depression era) bought old houses in rundown condition (built in 1810, wallpaper hanging off walls, one electric outlet/room, etc) and gradually remodeled them when they earned money to pay cash for everything. My point is that a lot of people in the US would just be happy to have a house to live in. You do not need modern appliances to be happy!
If I needed a place for my family and I to stay, I'd live in this house afterwards if I knew it was you who had cleaned it!
The first thing to do is praise you for your committment to help folks with this unique and critical need. Your work, and your willingness to do things very few people would do is absolutely awesome. Now a question: Have you ever tried using a rotating floor scrubber/polisher (with a brush disk) to clean other floors in the condition seen in this video? As you said about using water, you really can't make them any worse. The last time I used one was in the miitary six decades ago, but the only thing left on the floor after we used that machine was the wax. Best wishes as you continue on this journey.
Great job on the MEGA re-edit! ! These are my favorite types of videos and enjoyed every bit of it....the narration, the background noises, the inside scoop on the situation, the length. The before and after pics are amazing. The owner is so fortunate that you volunteered to do this. I know he was pleased. Thanks for sharing it with the members!!
Hello Sir. Your empathy, critical thinking, and clear way of explaining things is rather wonderful. Keep doing what you're doing. It makes the world a better place.
He really does! 👍✅😊
I’m convinced you and Clean With Barbie are angels on earth. It makes me feel better knowing people like you two exist.
Appreciate this video so much. Great format to include all the days of cleaning this same house. Really got a sense of the beauty of this house when it was initially built. As I watched you clean I imagined scenarios of the history of the house. Maybe the sons had lived in the house as children and their mother had set it up with lovely furniture but she eventually passed away. Afterward their Dad lived alone then with the hoarder person later in his life. I can understand the son's aggravation when they finally take the house back. What a great gift you gave them.
The people ranting in the comment section of the original video need to go touch grass! You did a great job and definitely helped a lot of people by cleaning this mess.
I think this is really inspiring! Modern home remodel shows imply some messes are not worth cleaning up, or are impossible to clean enough to function. Your videos prove that's not true. Imagine if, instead of throwing out perfectly good kitchens, people would just clean up what's there and make just minor necessary (or valuable to them) updates. There would be so much less waste. This video is an extreme example of a mindset we've lost in our culture. Thank you for sharing with viewrs at large!
I love these videos. So interesting to hear more backstory.❤
Love your videos and the fact that you educate about hoarding and humanize the situation. Have you found houses in the rural areas are worse than ones in the city? Living in the country myself, I find it hard to get rid of large junk that can't fit in the bin.
In our rural area if you have any scrap metal, tanks, broken lawn mowers, appliances, ect. collect a truck load and advertize it for scrappers for free and put will remove add if taken. Then pile at end of area they can just take with a free scrap sign. We have veterans resale pickup for small appliances and clothing in good condition call to schedule pickup, must clearly mark for them each item. We have habitat for humanity resale stores for good construction materials, paint, windows, doors, good furniture, call for pickup. We also have furniture consignment stores, some pickup if good items. We too have a community day for large items once a year. Best Buy and office stores take most electronics but not tvs. We and our neighbors are learning. There's always facebook marketplace free section too. If you can put on covered porch with pic and sign or anywhere you don't have to answer calls and the door too many times.
Thank you so much for re-doing
this video. My husband and his sisters suffered so much trauma and they all suffer from hoarding and I believe they need real help. Even tried to "help" over the years. You have taught me to see this from their perspectives and I can at minimum show empathy and kindess. My husband has to keep his hoard to the garage, shed, his side of our bedroom and his closet. This is hard to deal with and I am not always kind about it. I have shared some of your videos but he seems to take them as permission. Well, we at least can talk about it. Which is better. I dont plan on giving up on him. At least I know he trying to protect himself. His heart is so broken but still after 40 years he is the nicest guy with the biggest heart I have ever been privileged to know. Thanks Mack for sharing your insight. And making me a better person.❤
Thank you for releasing this so the rest of us could appreciate your hard work. I love the old furniture. That bedroom suite is beautiful!
I can relate to everything you say about hording being a mental disease. I have issues i dont share with family or friends.
i would never want you to apologise for doing a video just for us - especially if it's a long one! i think it's great - thank you
Congrats!you are doing great have been watching for several months never miss a video.thank you for the work you are doing, you are providing a good service on your way to that gold button
So sorry you have to deal with idiotic comments. Know that our huge group of dedicated followers knows that you are doing everything with common sense, with knowledge of the family and it’s real situation, and that you are doing everything possible to handle it. Bless you for doing it.
Aw Mack the world's a much better place with you and your lovely family in it! I remember watching this video the first time and I'm just as excited watching it again this evening:) thank you!