Help

[petrossian]

I just had a bad morning and I need some help/encouragement.

I threw out a mattress this week and when I did I accidently ran into my super (I live in a NY co-op). To make a long story short, he noticed bedbugs on my mattress (he said they were 'swarming' - I cringed when I heard him use that word, but I acted 'cool' and concerned).

Naturally, he told the building managing agent who sent me a note. I told him I was already in the process of hiring exterminators and furniture removal (which I am). I knew I had a bedbug problem (they are epidemic in NY) .

I contacted a furnitute removal place and they came today. I warned them ahead of time of the condition and that I was a hoarder. When they came and looked at the couch I wanted to get rid of, they excused themselves, made a phone call, came back and said they couldn't remove it.

I called the main office, since I thought I had explained the problem exactly but I guess it's one thing to describe a problem and another to see it in real life.

Now I have to find someone else to do the job. I also realized that even though I can describe the condition over the phone, I still have to clean up and try to look somewhat presentable when they do come. It's just something you have to do.

It's hot in the city, I'm not a hot weather person and the heat slows me down (even with air conditioning). I have to find someone else and it's going to cost me money which is low right now and I have to do some clean up (I am a hoarder - it's not an easy thing to do either physicially or emotionally).

I feel like crying and just hiding somewhere but it's okay to feel that way - how could I feel otherwise. I thought I'd come on here and if anyone can offer advice/help/encouragement - trust me, I could really use it right now.

[PaperGrace]

No advice, just encouragement: you can find a way.

Re: Bedbugs. Bedbugs happen, they aren't an issue of cleanliness vs squalor. They get in, they get around. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with them.

sending some strength your way.

[moggyfan]

I know it seems overwhelming, but it is just a problem to be solved. And you *can* solve it.

Do you know why they would not take it? Was it a problem with the sofa itself or was it the lack of a clear path to the door?

If the former, can you find out what the issue was--too "icky"? Had bedbugs? And then find out how you could make it do-able--maybe some kind of wrapping?

If it's the lack of a clear path to the door, then that's another issue, and one you will need to remedy. You don't have to clean your whole apartment, though--you just need to clear a space wide enough that they can carry out the sofa.

I know it will be hard, but it would be a big help to you if you can find out exactly why they wouldn't do it.

I did use 1-800-GOT-JUNK once with good success--fast, professional, courteous. But it was expensive. Still, if you HAVE to get it done, it's worth the money.

I think you need to have some ice water, a shower or at least a spritz, and cool off before you take the next step(s).

Is there a deadline looming?

[Ally]

A way to keep cool.
I haven't tried this yet... I read somewhere, in the past week, spray/dampen a t shirt with water, put it in the freezer for 15 minutes, take it out, put it on. You might want to do a couple of t shirts so you can rotate them.
You might have to stick the t-shirts in a plastic bag, so they don't stick to the inside of the freezer. (That would be annoying!)
I wish you luck. You can do this!

Ally

[Little_Ninja]

Jul 14, 2012 14:13:26 GMT -5 moggyfan said:

If the former, can you find out what the issue was--too "icky"? Had bedbugs? And then find out how you could make it do-able--maybe some kind of wrapping?

Moggy's post gave me a Eureka moment!

First, take a deep breath, then exhale.

It's just the mattress and/or a box spring or a couch you're trying to get rid of, right? Go to a local Home Depot or Lowe's store and buy one or two rolls of 2 mil plastic drop cloth. Wrap the mattress/box spring up with the plastic and secure with packing/shipping tape. THEN call a moving & hauling company to take it to the landfill. If they're scheduled to come out to your place, slide the plastic-pieces outside your front door and into the hallway 20 minutes before they arrive so that they have no reason to come inside your place.

Good luck!





Little_Ninja

Last time my ac went out, I kept a wet washcloth in the freezer and held it to my face--ahh. Instant relief. I was in the middle of cleaning up, too. Did the washcloth trick as often as needed and kept a small glass of water with ice handy, too. After I drank the water, I crunched the ice as I worked. About the couch, if they didn't take it because of bedbugs, then you might want to reverse the plan. Get the exterminator in first. Then get rid of the furniture. Keep the receipt from the exterminator to show the furniture removal guys if you need to. It sounds like you're doing everything right and just need to push on through. Best wishes for a successful outcome.

[Blackswan]

Great ideas to get cool! I'm gonna use some of them while I am cleaning. Do you have any friends or neighbors you can offer a little bit of money to get the couch out? What area do u live in? maybe some of us are close by.

[canna]

Harlyquinn wrote about washcloth in the freezer good idea. I also do this in the hot weather. Beside face, use it also behind knees bend of leg, and bend in elbow, and behind neck. Cools you off too...

[immaculata]

I'm very sorry you've had a rough day, Petrossian.

Dealing with situations like you've had recently would make me feel like crying too, to be honest.

Please remember though that all the stuff you're working through is on its way out of your life. You'll never have to deal with that mattress and that couch again, and getting rid of both of those large pieces of furniture (although it caused you temporary friction with the landlord and the furniture removal place) is a couple of big steps, or rather huge leaps, in the right direction.

When you're going through hell, keep going.

[misssue]

I want to offer you some encouragement.. and again I lost the post I wrote. Darn! You can do this, and you just have to figure out a way to get rid of the couch. You did good with the mattress! Many of us are faced with the I now have to do it, or else. Not a good spot to be in, but you can do this. Make sure you have a fan along with the ac, it does help while working. YOU CAN DO THIS!

I was going to say that shrink wrapping it is a good solution. BUT because I did my internship at the MET in NYC many many moons ago, when I was in college, and lived there two summers.. I know that finding things like a big roll of plastic is not easy. You do not have access to Home Depot. Or you have to use public transportation. I spent a good deal of my time checking on my car that was in car park, even if I did not use it very much those summers. Is there a chance the building super would know someone that was reasonable and you could pay.. and get that you may not want to involve him.

I am going to suggest something a bit radical, but you can do it. Have you thought about sawing the couch up in sections and hauling it out yourself? I am assuming that you have some place to throw out the mattress, and could the couch go the same way? The cushions are not problem, put in big garbage bags. Then saw the darn thing in sections you can manage. It is a mess, but you can rip, wear gloves the the fabric off, and you can buy a staple puller or use a screwdriver to make it easier. It is not as bad as you think, you can do it in pieces, one at a time. Haul one out, work on it some more. You could fit in the big garbage bags. Think about that, and it would be cheap too! I know you can do this, and we are never more alone when we have to deal with some of this.. I know others here will support you also.

[messymimi]

Petrossian, you've already received enough great advice, i know something in there will help, so i'll just let you know i'm thinking of you and hope you find a more cooperative company quickly.

messymimi

[kiddledo]

about covering large furniture...can you get mattress bags from packing places like UHall?
remember, we're all pullin' for ya

And by the way, everyone has a problem of some sort or another. Sharing how you deal with yours with help others going through the same or nearly the same problem. Posting help goes both ways..works for everyone.
Good luck, glad you're here

[petrossian]

Thanks for the encouragement.

I always feel funny posting with my problems (something like knowing a person who does nothing but complain) but I really
can't admit to many people that I hoard and the difficulties that arise. I'm really grateful for a non-judgemental group like this.
It also helps that the answers for my problems helps others in
a similar situation.

Thanks again - I really need it!

[sunshineshouse]

Hey petrossian

Even if you can't - or don't want to - take apart the whole couch, you can get rid of the cushions and the fabric covering. Cut off the fabric and pull off the batting and stuff it into bags. Then you only have the frame to be picked up. Who know, once you.see the frame you might decide that you ARE able to take it apart too. I have a couch in the basement that I plan to do this very thing. Keep posting and you will come up with aplan that works for you

[fluffernut - now Jannie]

When I'm feelin hot, I wet a washcloth with room temp tap water (not real cold) , go over my face and neck, then my arms. I'll even rub over my chest and tummy, and have hubby do my back. The evaporation of this little bit of moisture cools me down. Good luck with the mattress! You can do this!