Why Professional Hoarding Cleanup Is Essential — Protecting Chicagoland Families & Homes

Introduction

Hoarding is far more than a clutter problem. It’s a serious issue that affects mental health, property safety, and community wellbeing. Left unaddressed, hoarding conditions create severe health hazards, fire risks, and structural damage — and when cleanup becomes necessary, it often overwhelms families, landlords, or building owners who attempt to handle it alone.

As a trusted restoration company with more than 40 years of local expertise in Chicagoland and part of a brand founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has been called in to handle some of the region’s most difficult hoarding cases. Our trained professionals approach every job with compassion, safety, and discretion, ensuring that homes are restored to livable condition and families can move forward with peace of mind.

This guide explains why hoarding cleanup should always be left to professionals — and how we serve families across Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, and DuPage County when conditions become unmanageable.

What Is Hoarding — and Why Is It So Dangerous?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, hoarding disorder is a mental health condition that affects approximately 2.6% of the U.S. population. It’s defined as a persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their value. Hoarding is not simply “messiness.” It creates immediate risks for occupants and their neighbors:

• Obstructed living areas and exits
• Increased chance of fires and structural collapse
• Severe biohazard and disease exposure
• Mold growth and air quality issues
• Property devaluation and possible eviction

Common Hazards in Hoarded Homes

1. Fire Hazards

Hoarded materials often include newspapers, cardboard, clothing, and plastics. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), these conditions make it nearly impossible for firefighters to safely enter or exit during an emergency. Piled items also hide faulty wiring and obstruct exits.

2. Injury from Collapsing Debris

In many hoarded homes, stacks of items reach ceiling height. They collapse without warning, causing falls, broken bones, or even fatalities. Narrow walkways and hidden trip hazards further increase injury risks.

3. Biohazards and Infestations

Hoarding often attracts rodents, cockroaches, and other vermin. In cases of animal hoarding, there may be waste, carcasses, and zoonotic diseases such as Salmonella or Toxoplasmosis. Human waste or syringes may also be present.

4. Mold Growth and Air Quality

Blocked airflow and hidden leaks create perfect breeding grounds for mold. Mold spores aggravate asthma, COPD, and other respiratory issues. Without mold remediation, mold quickly spreads behind walls and under flooring.

5. Structural Strain

The combined weight of hoarded items can cause floors to sag, stairs to buckle, and walls to crack. In extreme cases, rooms are sealed off entirely. These conditions often require additional water damage, mold, or fire restoration services after cleanup.

Why Hoarding Cleanup Requires Professionals

Attempting DIY cleanup is unsafe and emotionally overwhelming. Professional intervention ensures safety, compliance, and dignity.

1. Biohazard Protection & OSHA Compliance

Our technicians wear full PPE — Tyvek suits, respirators, gloves, and protective eyewear — to prevent exposure to bacteria, animal waste, mold, and toxins. All cleanup follows EPA and OSHA standards.

2. Proper Disposal & Local Compliance

Hazardous items such as propane, paint, or sharps must be disposed of according to City of Chicago, Cook County, and Lake County regulations. We handle all disposal legally and document the process.

3. Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Approach

Hoarding often ties to grief, trauma, or mental health struggles. We work discreetly with families, social workers, and property managers — balancing safety with respect.

4. Full-Service Restoration

Cleanup is only the beginning. We also provide:

• Mold remediation if hidden moisture is found
• Fire and water repair for compromised structures
• Air scrubbers and odor removal for improved air quality
• Deep disinfection of all surfaces

Our Hoarding Cleanup Process

Every hoarding case is unique, but our proven step-by-step process ensures homes are fully restored:

1. On-Site Assessment – Inspect hazards, document salvageable items, and estimate.
2. Containment & Air Filtration – Install HEPA scrubbers to control airborne contaminants.
3. Sorting & Staging – Carefully separate valuables, keepsakes, and documents for families.
4. Safe Removal – Remove debris, trash, and biohazards with proper disposal.
5. Deep Cleaning & Sanitizing – Clean and disinfect every surface.
6. Mold & Water Damage Evaluation – Deploy remediation teams if needed.
7. Content Cleaning – Restore salvageable items such as furniture and heirlooms.
8. Final Walkthrough – Ensure safety, functionality, and client satisfaction.

Local Hoarding Cleanup Cases in Chicagoland

Hoarding is not just a personal challenge — it often becomes a community and municipal issue. Here are a few cases where ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons was called in to restore safety and compliance:

• Park Ridge, IL — Village-Mandated Cleanup
  When a village official contacted us about a home in violation of local codes, we cleared it within two days and sanitized it on the third, restoring compliance and safety.
• Palatine, IL — Hidden Hoarding & Sewage Backup
  A call for sewage cleanup revealed an entire basement packed with belongings. Two dumpsters were required before remediation could begin. We coordinated with a large national insurance carrier for resolution.
• Des Plaines, IL — Health & Fire Hazard Intervention
  A hoarded property endangered the homeowner, neighbors, and pets. Facing eviction, the homeowner agreed to professional cleanup. We eliminated fire risks and restored the home to a livable condition.
• Beyond Chicago
  From Lake County towns like Libertyville, Vernon Hills, and Lake Forest to the North Shore suburbs of Evanston, Wilmette, and Winnetka, we’ve helped families restore dignity and safety. Our reach extends into Milwaukee, WI — proving families trust ServiceMaster well beyond Chicagoland.

Hoarding Cleanup in Chicago & the Suburbs

We regularly assist families across:

• Chicago neighborhoods: Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Lakeview, Lincoln Park
• North Shore towns: Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest
• Lake County: Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Mundelein
• DuPage County: Oak Park, River Forest, Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove

No matter where you are, our promise is the same: confidential, compassionate, and professional hoarding cleanup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hoarding cleanup confidential?
Yes. Our teams arrive discreetly, use unmarked vehicles when requested, and treat every case with compassion and privacy.

Does insurance cover hoarding cleanup?
In some cases, yes — particularly when hoarding contributes to fire, water, or mold damage. We work directly with insurers when possible.

Do you provide hoarding cleanup in Park Ridge, IL?
Yes. We’ve worked directly with Park Ridge officials to restore compliance with village codes.

What about Palatine, IL?
Yes. We’ve handled hoarding cleanups in Palatine, including cases complicated by sewage and water damage.

Have you worked in Des Plaines, IL?
Yes. We’ve assisted the Village of Des Plaines with cases that posed fire and health hazards.

Do you serve North Shore suburbs like Skokie, Evanston, or Wilmette?
Yes. We frequently handle discreet hoarding cleanup in condos, multifamily units, and estates throughout the North Shore.

What about Winnetka, Highland Park, or Lake Forest?
We regularly assist families and property managers in all Lake County suburbs with hoarding cleanup and restoration.

Can I be present during the cleanup?
Yes, but we recommend appointing one family representative due to safety and emotional considerations.

Why Choose ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

• 40+ years of local Chicagoland experience
• IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer certification
• Member of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA)
• Awards: BBB Torch Award, Stevie Award, Chicago Star Award, Skokie Business of the Year (Honorable Mention), 2025 Inc. 5000-fastest growing business.
• National legacy: ServiceMaster founded in Chicago in 1929, now the nation’s oldest restoration brand

Call to Action

If you or a loved one are struggling with hoarding, know that help is available. At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we provide confidential, compassionate, and professional hoarding cleanup across Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, and DuPage.

📞 Chicago: (773) 376-1110
📞 North Shore & Lake County: (847) 316-9145
📞 Oak Park-River Forest, DuPage County: (708) 524-0304

Or visit our Specialty Cleaning Services page to get started.

About the Authors

Sam Simon is an IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer with over 40 years of restoration expertise. He is the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset, available on Amazon.

Nasutsa Mabwa, CEO of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, specializes in trauma-informed cleaning and ensures every project meets OSHA and IICRC standards.

Services We Provide

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Specialty Cleaning