Filthy House SOS - TV Programme

I seem to remember reading about some honey that was found in a 3000 year old Egyptian tomb.
Apparently it had turned black but was still quite safely edible.

Yes, I was thinking of that as I posted, Witzend
I'm sure DH would have tasted it but I wouldn't give it to a grandchild!

I think there are hoarders and there are people who don't clean but don't hoard. I used to love Kim & Aggie who whizzed around and gave cleaning tips, but even then I was shocked to see black toilet pans, thick grease on cooker tops and people with dog poo in the corridor (why not pick it up?)

When the hoarding programmes came along I was even more shocked, I had no idea people lived like that. But I do agree that anyone living in filth and clutter like that has some kind of mental problem. Usually they have a life crisis that sets them off and eventually it all gets too much for them. I don't think it's exploiting them, as they are usually very happy to get the place cleaned up.

My house is a mess at the moment and guess what? I'm depressed. I do wonder why the people I live with aren't cleaning it up better though (I am running a hoover round and light clea ning/washing etc but it is much more untidier than it was say 6 months ago

Callistemon21

Well, I've been having a good clear out of old paperwork. Two bags went this morning.
Now DH has just asked me for the instructions for his digital clock/temperature/moon phase thingy.

You can often find instructions manuals online these days, if you DH is really struggling.

My brother has MH issues and is a hoarder. The last time I was in my mum's house before she died, I was so horrified about the conditions she was living in I contacted social services.

My brother has never forgiven me, and not spoken to me since.
He didn't tell me my mum had been admitted to hospital and when she died 4 days later, he got my cousin to 'phone me to break the news.

I'm sure anyone meeting my brother, a very intelligent man, would think he both physically and mentally capable of cleaning his house, but as we all know, appearances can be deceptive.

I try my best to keep everywhere clean and tidy. Bathroom and kitchen always clean.

However my DH is very,very messy never does housework, doesn't see it. He does cook and garden though. He likes random things and has numerous collections. He also likes to have extra freezer full of food plus a larder full of dried and tinned food.

He has always been this way as he was extremely poor growing up and often went hungry.

We also have a very needy border collie that takes up a huge amount if my time, which l am happy to give him. Its sometimes hard to choose between him and DH.

Smileless2012

My brother has MH issues and is a hoarder. The last time I was in my mum's house before she died, I was so horrified about the conditions she was living in I contacted social services.

My brother has never forgiven me, and not spoken to me since.
He didn't tell me my mum had been admitted to hospital and when she died 4 days later, he got my cousin to 'phone me to break the news.

I'm sure anyone meeting my brother, a very intelligent man, would think he both physically and mentally capable of cleaning his house, but as we all know, appearances can be deceptive.

... that's really sad. What an awful way to learn of your Mum's death.

Thank you Dickens, yes it was awful.

Actually @callistemon21 and @witzend I don’t think I would have risked that honey!!

I used to love that ‘How Clean Is Your House?’ programme, because even when it had been quite a while since I’d done anything like even an average blitz, our house looked pretty pristine by comparison.

There was also a programme where they matched up cleaning fanatics with people with dirty houses. It was a match made in heaven!

I wish one of my friends was a cleaning fanatic and her idea of a lovely day out would be to clean my place ha ha. I'd be happy to make her day.

Callistemon21

Well, I've been having a good clear out of old paperwork. Two bags went this morning.
Now DH has just asked me for the instructions for his digital clock/temperature/moon phase thingy.

They'll be on Google.

Yes I remember Mr Reebus. So sad!

I watched Kim and Aggie once I was put off when they cleaned a disgusting toilet it made me feel sick im funny about dirty toilets. I went to someones house once it was so fithy you stuck to the carpet and the cup of tea in a stained cup they gave me I couldnt drink. The indoor toilet didnt even have a door on it. They didnt have MH issue's they were just very lazy. I got out of there very quickly.

Tizliz Mr Rebus was often mentioned in our house when our teenagers’ bedrooms needed clearing…yes I did say clearing…before we could begin to clean.

At one point we did have cleaners once a week and you had to tidy round before they came so they could clean floors and surfaces. The teenagers' bedrooms were the problem. I told them to clear everything beforehand but if there was stuff on the floor I just threw everything on the bed in a muddle and they had to sort it anyway before they went to bed. I think this sometimes meant just throwing it back on the floor, but at least the carpets were clean! ?

Good grief, why on earth would anyone watch this stuff ? Quite revolting and quite exploitative. Plumbing new depths.

I'm not surprised she said "I can't be bothered". For people with hidden mental or physical health problems it is quite easy for them to attack themselves in this way when it is not actually their fault at all.

When I went through thyrotoxicosis I didn't want to let the doctor sign me off work and she wouldn't leave me alone until I agreed.

I could barely manage the walk to work! I spent the whole time being angry at myself for being "lazy" and "pathetic".

I was so sure it was all in my head despite my ridiculously high thyroid levels as proof of what was happening to me. I couldn't see my rapidly declining mental health despite all the debilitating physical symptoms.

I wish I could explain this better but I was in such a bad place I couldn't see anything but my own failure when it wasn't my fault.

I used to love Kim and Aggie too Chestnut and if I'd ever had a cleaner I'd have been like you, and tidied up before the cleaner arrived.

In my line of work I had to visit clients in their own homes. You wouldn't believe the things I've witnessed (not envy). Baths used as a communal toilet, several dogs and cats that aren't allowed outside, babies sleeping on sofas under newspapers and floors so filthy my feet stuck to the carpet. I used to take a lungful of fresh air before stepping inside and try to make it last.

I'd want to pick the babies up and take them home, Chewbacca

I'd follow you with the pets.

My mum was a hoarder, if you went into her house it looked clean neat and tidy .She dusted everyday and cleaned the loo's everyday.
Though if you looked into cupboard, drawer or pantry everything was just jammed in and I once found a turkey 12 years out of date in the freezer.
I asked her why she did it and she said it was a hang over from the war when everything had to be reused .Her sister was not a bit like her.
I asked if she wanted things sorted by myself and a DD she agreed without any bother, but as we were sorting she was hovering and getting agitated and moving things, so we stopped.
I think something traumatic has often had an effect on people like this that does not affect the rest of us.
What brought her up sharp was she did not trust banks and hid her money all over the house. Once when there were really bad gales a house near by had it's roof blown off and all the things in their bedroom exposed to the elements. Mum phoned and asked for help,but it still did not come easy to her.
I am the complete opposite and DH says if he stands still he will be labelled and put away in a cupboard.

yammy
My OH is worried incase the day comes when he’s not useful or attractive ?

Yammy I'm not quite as bad as your mother but the scenario sounds familiar ? regarding a tidy house but cupboards jammed full.

It (whatever it is) might come in useful one day.