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Post by kk1177 on Jun 12, 2012 23:14:28 GMT -5
Hi -
I have never done anything like this. I dont know the rules or ettiquette. Please forgive if this is not how to begin.
I just know I am stuck and looking for ideas and people who may have similar struggles.
Maybe I am like a lot of others, but I feel so different.
On the outside I look pretty together. (until you open the closet doors, literally).
But I think it has caused me much of my problems.
I have one complete room with clothes, shoes, handbags, etc. It is so out of control it is waste deep. I cant open the door. I had grand ideas of making a wonderful walk-in closet but it never happened and only grew into a larger pile. I have no idea how to start to sort or purge it.
But right now I have a bigger, worse problem.
I love animals. I have a big heart. I try to save the world and help without thinking. I took in several homeless cats when no one else would. I have hidden it for several years. But they have gotten upset with the situation and the males are marking. In several areas the carpets are destroyed. They ruined my couches.
I have been searching for a solution and living in fear. Now, my worst nightmare, my landlord is coming over to for some maintenance. He only knows I have two. I dont know how get myself out of this. I am trying to come up with plans but I am facing eviction with my kitties. I know I made these decisions and I am responsible. I know I have to pay the price (I will cover the damages 100%). But my cats didnt choose this, they shouldnt have to suffer. Ive contacted animal rescues and no luck. I am not turning them over to a shelter or putting them down. Plus, they are my heart and soul. I dont want to part with them. Without them I would be lost.
Has anyone ever attempted to clean damaged (stained/odors) carpets and get rid of odors successfully???
So, I just feel like I have no control and there is no hope. I am so scared. Feels like a big black hole, no light and I am falling deeper and deeper.
None of my friends know any of this. I have closed myself off the last few years. I am working on this with just the help of my parents who are disabled and not close by.
Thank you for reading this.
kay
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Post by so on Jun 12, 2012 23:50:33 GMT -5
 Kay, to SooS. First, please, don't panic. There are lots of kind people here who will give advice and support for your situation. There are threads on cleaning, and on inspections; I'll find what I can for now. Second, people are in the chat room and able to give cheer and suggestions most hours of the day and night. Let all these good folk encourage you as you make a more comfortable home for yourself and your beloved pets. 
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Post by Sunshine on Jun 13, 2012 0:21:17 GMT -5
Kay, I am so glad you found this forum. There are lots of people here who really have been where you are today. There's no tricky rules about joining in here - you are doing just fine  It sounds like you are in a tough situation. But you can get through this - honest! - and we can support you. If I've understood right, the big issues for today are the number of cats, and the damage to the carpet. Do you mind if I ask how many cats are living with you at the moment? I wonder if you can sprinkle the carpet with bicarbonate soda (to absorb the smell), then hide it under some rugs. Maybe that would get you through the LL visit? Can the door to the room that is full of clothes just be left shut while you landlord is there, or will he need to go in there? I don't want to ask a ton of questions and overwhelm you, so I'll leave it there for now. You'll find lots of gentle support, understanding, and encouragement here. We really do get it.  |
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Jun 13, 2012 0:22:51 GMT -5
Welcome! First of all. Nothing you could say would shock us. We are all unique with different issues -- but many of us have had some of the things you've mentioned. And some of us have recovered or are in process of recovery. There is hope! Second of all. You are a unique and worthwhile person just as you are, regardless of any icky stuff in your home. Thirdly, you sound responsible because you want the cats to live well and you want to pay your landlord for any possible damages. Now. take a deep breath. You have come to the right place. I'm going to give you a couple of links to threads here that may help with your situations. But don't stop with these links because there is a wealth of ideas from all sorts of people here on these forums. cat urine on carpet:takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=8031Crisis Cleaning (before a visitor or inspection):takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=7183How many cats do you have? (You don't have to tell us if you don't want to). But you should be aware that your city or county may have a local law regulating how many pets can belong to one residence. These rules may apply in addition to whatever you agreed to on your lease with your landlord. Not trying to get you in trouble. It's just something to be aware of. I know that others will reply to your intro each with their own greetings, some to just say hello and welcome, others to give advice ... so I will stop now ... Glad you're here! - |
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Post by so on Jun 13, 2012 0:30:54 GMT -5
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Post by wind on Jun 13, 2012 1:00:02 GMT -5
Hi, and welcome!
To clean cat pee from carpet, you need oxyclean mixed in a spray bottle with water, a towel, and a wet/dry shopvac set to wet.
Spray on oxyclean mix, rub in with towel, and shopvac it up! It'll really bring carpet back to life. Febreezing after that won't hurt, too.
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Post by kk1177 on Jun 13, 2012 1:10:05 GMT -5
Thank you all, each and everyone of you for you kind words of support and encouragement. What a blessing. It bring tears to my eyes.
I feel a little less alone. It is so hard to share all this. I am so frightened that someone I know will read this or that my landlord will see this.
I am gripped with anxiety and panic. Feeling hopeless.
To answer some specific questions.
The soiled areas are the corners in some areas. Hard to cover those. I have purchased some special urine cleaners internet over the internet and am waiting for those to arrive. See how successful those are. Plus, I have a carpet cleaning company coming.
Also, I would/will definitely never leave a place in a condition I would not want it in as an owner. I would never abandon something I created. Not in my character. I will replace all carpet when I move out. I take full responsibility, no question. I just need to get through the visit in 12 days.
The bedroom of clothes. Door is always closed, and I dont think the landlod would care about that so much. That is just my demon that makes me feel so guilty for spending, for letting it get out of control, for having no motivation to tackle it for 5 years, for no idea where to start, for no idea of what to do with it. It is a reminder of how stuck I am in general, the poor choices, and way my life has taken a turn.
I think landlord is just going to go to the furnace (upstairs) and check with the repair guy to make sure it is in good condition during his work. Hasnt been checked by a pro in a few years.
As for my cats, I dont want to give the wrong impression. My cats are in excellent health, all fixed, and extremely well taken care of. No expense is spared for them and their happiness. Litter boxes are scooped daily, and emptied weekly. Place is clean except for the urine issue. There are 12. And yes, I live in fear of the local ordinances regarding number of pets as well.
I am investigating buying a house in order to build an outside enclosure. But it is not an easy, fast process.
Thank you again for your posts and in advance to any further postings, help, advice, kind words. So much appreciated since I am coping with this alone.
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Post by Sunshine on Jun 13, 2012 1:44:46 GMT -5
Kay, that is great that you have arranged a carpet cleaning company to come round. Those folks have seen it all before, and have plenty of tricks of the trade and equipment That's good news that the LL is really only interested in the furnace. I suggest that you leave the door shut until after the inspection, and do your best to stop beating yourself up about it. With the cats - if they have their immunisations up to date, and if you can spare the money, what about putting them in a boarding cattery for a few days? Would that take care of the immediate pressure?  Again - I am so glad that you were resourceful enough to find this forum, and brave enough to post. We're here for you. |
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Post by kk1177 on Jun 13, 2012 10:50:58 GMT -5
Thank you again for the reply and kind words of encouragement.
I actually had the carpet cleaners come in three months ago (hard to have them see - lots of guilt and shame) and they did an okay job. But the situation soon returned and it wasnt a huge improvement after they finished. The carpets need to be replaced and I know there are too many cats in a small space. This has me hopeless. My life just keeps going downward.
I keep running away and avoiding my problems, the life I have created, and hence they grow and now the inevitable. I am so envious of people on the street. They all have it together. They are smiling, laughing, have a nice house to go home to. They dont have to hide.
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Post by messymimi on Jun 13, 2012 11:16:46 GMT -5
Welcome, Kay!
You are not alone. Only you can do it, but you are not alone, you now have people working on their own messes along side you.
Congratulations on calling the carpet cleaners and being determined to rectify this situation!
Boarding the cats temporarily might be a solution, as already suggested, along with plans to move to a place you own.
As a fellow cat rescue person, i have to tell you that you cannot save every cat. Neither can i, and it tears me up. We have to know our limits, and the rest is out of our hands. Once i came to realize that, i told the rescue groups i work with that i will only take just so many to bottle raise at a time unless they are willing to find other fosters for the weaned kittens. You might have to put a limit on yourself, too; i'm sure you've seen the stories on the news of the homes with dozens of cats, and how awful it is for the animals. Those people wanted to save the animals, too, but got overwhelmed. Do the animals a favor and don't let that become your story.
For the clothes, forgive yourself. That is a sunk cost, you will not get it back. There are many different ways to tackle it, which i'm sure you will find as you read around the forum. One way to look at it is to realize that you have only one body, and it can only wear just so many clothes. Determine how much of any one category you can reasonably need (ex. 8 pair underwear, six pair socks, 10 t-shirts, etc.). Once you have a number you can reasonably handle, wear, keep clean, and store, start going through a few items at a time and only washing and putting away the keepers. The rest you can donate or throw away or whatever.
One reason for an overwhelmed feeling with a room packed full is that some of us want it done perfectly and done yesterday and that isn't going to happen because the job needs to be broken down into manageable pieces. A few items at a time will get it done, but if you are a perfectionist (don't want to start unless you can do it all, and perfectly) it will take you a while to convince yourself of that.
As overwhelming as it feels, and as anxious as you are, you are not your mess, and you are not your feelings. You will get through this.
It's good to have you here.
messymimi
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Post by wind on Jun 13, 2012 12:16:34 GMT -5
"you are not your mess, and you are not your feelings. You will get through this." Mimi is right. You are not your mess, and your feeling are transient and they are not "you", either. One of the best things about this forum is that, if you hang out here a while, you'll kinda get to know a lot of the members, and a lot of people here are just some of the coolest, funniest, most loving and most awesome people you'll ever meet. And the idea that they're failures in life or whatever because of their messes will just seem so alien and absurd that eventually, you'll realize that the same applies to you, too. You really, really aren't your mess. The mess and the circumstances that perpetuate the mess are just challenges to be overcome, involving new skills to be learned, and new ways of thinking that just take practice. And that's it. And you can do this! And I again want to recommend the oxyclean/towel/shopvac method of cleaning cat pee out of carpet. It takes forever, but can salvage otherwise unsalvageable carpets. I think it must actually clean the padding under the carpet, too, or something, in a way that doesn't rot it. (shopvacs have unparalleled suctioning power). It's a gazillion times more effective than those pro carpet cleaner services and those carpet cleaning machines you can rent. |
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Post by joyinvirginia on Jun 13, 2012 15:58:25 GMT -5
Natures miracle its a product I have gotten at Petsmart before, that took urine smell out of a spot on living room carpet that foster pup marked. And it got cat urine smell out off dh car! I took cat to vet in cat carrier and she was not happy and urinated in carried and of course it was tilted on the seat and got all over it and smelled awful. It took almost an entire bottle, but did get smell out, I was amazed!
Good luck! Can you board Kitties at the vet or somewhere for a few days?
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Post by clutterbuggles on Jun 13, 2012 16:26:46 GMT -5
You've already had a lot of good advice that I can't add to, but as someone who very recently had the dilemma of squalor getting in the way of landlord repairs, I did want to offer a friendly hug.
I'm glad you found your kindred spirits here. =)
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Post by joyinvirginia on Jun 13, 2012 17:30:54 GMT -5
I just read your other posts in this thread. Welcome! I have a secret I want to share with you. Everyone has something they want to hide! It may be cluttered cabinets or stuffed closets or a junk room or piles of stuff, but everyone has something they are embarrassed about. And more people than you know have more serious problems, hidden things, hoarding, animals marking in the house, etc. you are not alone.
President of dog rescue group I foster for has ten dogs! Yes, she has a kennel license for her home. Her dh won't let her foster any more animals, because she wants to keep them. She has huge fenced in area and garage and one room of house dogs are confined to, most of her house is dog-free zone.
I can tell you love your cats. Once you get over about five or six annimals, you don't have a house anymore, you do have a kennel. So I would strongly encourage you to think about finding another home for one or two cats. your vet might be able to help. Just think about it, after your crisis.
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Post by Di on Jun 13, 2012 17:56:26 GMT -5
The professional cleaners have enzyme cleaners to remove the smell however in my experience they don't always get out the spots. I have, like wind, had excellent luck with oxygen cleaner. I use the inexpensive Sun brand from Dollar General Store. I dissolve at LEAST a cup full in the tang of a home carpet shampooer and clean the carpets again after the pros focusing on spots. Most have come out.
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