Cleaning out someone’s home after they pass away can be emotionally and physically exhausting. But there are plenty of ways to prepare the property to be sold or rented out while respecting the wishes of the deceased and their loved ones.
ICE Cleaning is a specialist cleaning company that provides a range of services to help you clean someone’s home after they die, including trauma clean up services and undiscovered death cleaning. Its technicians can be on-site in a matter of hours in an emergency.
Read on to find out how to clear out a property.
Wait for the will to be read
First, make sure any bequests are carried out, like certain possessions going to specific people, so when you clean out their home you don’t throw something away by accident. Then, let their loved ones decide what else they want to keep.
Ensure any pets are taken care of
The person who passed away would want their pet to be well looked after. Prioritise getting them rehomed, whether that’s with a friend or relative, or through a local shelter.
Start by removing clutter
It can be tough to decide what you want to do with someone’s belongings just after they have died. By throwing away any items no one would want, like old shoes or broken appliances, you have time to think about valuable things.
Plan the clear out
Depending on the size of the property and how much the previous resident owned, it can take a very long time and a lot of effort to declutter their home. Set targets and deadlines to help you stay on track, and clean one room at a time so you don’t get too overwhelmed.
It is also recommended that you sort their possessions as you go. For example put boxes labelled “keep”, “donate”, “recycle”, “sell”, “have appraised”, and “throw-away” in the centre of the room, and put each item in the appropriate box.
Put belongings you’re not sure about in storage
If you’re struggling to figure out what to do with some of their possessions, push the decision back to a later date. Keep a box of their things in the basement for when you’re ready to make up your mind.
Should the previous owner have died in their property, you may require trauma cleaning services to make it a safe environment for the next resident.
ICE Cleaning’s trauma cleaners are fully trained in the handling and disposal of biohazards and are accredited members of the National Academy Of Crime Scene Cleaners. They are available wherever you are in the UK, 24/7, 365 days a year.
To find out more about its services, visit the website.