rexd
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Joined: November 2017
Posts: 56
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Post by rexd on Nov 12, 2017 5:08:51 GMT -5
Where do I even start? I work in a hotel and live in the same place I work. I've always been kind of messy but not dirty. A couple of years ago i became severely anemic as a secondary symptom of an issue that required surgery. I didn't realize I was anemic, I just knew I was exhausted and everything was going to hell around me. It took every bit of energy just to get to work (ie, down the stairs). I felt helpless watching everything collapse into a heap of grossness. I put off seeing a doctor for forever,but eventually collapsing and being taken to the emergency room revealed my health issues. After the surgery though, i had to face my surroundings. I spiralled into a deep depression that kept me just as paralyzed as my anemia had.
My room got worse. Odors seeped into neighboring rooms and out onto the gallery. My clothes always smelled bad and my boss made me keep my clothes in the office. Every attempt I made at cleaning ended in failure. I'm a pariah at work, everyone hates me, mocks me behind my back (and sometimes to my face). If I had the money to move I would. I've been searching for new jobs but so far no luck. Recently my boss told me he wanted to renovate my room and wanted me to move to another room. To be honest, it was the best news I could have gotten. And the worst. I want the chance to start over but I have to clean out all the grossness from my current room.
It's pretty much a stage 3 issue. I've gotten a lot done in the past week. I've practically filled a dumpster with all the trash I removed. I've cleaned the sink and the toilet. I've moved what few belongings of mine that are worth keeping to the new room. But I have to have it all done today. I work nights, and sleep days but I'm going to have to stay awake today and finish up. There's still so much to do. I keep telling myself "Look at how much you've done!" and trying not to kick myself for not doing more. But I'm terrified I won't get everything done.It appalls me to think of the maintenance guy discovering the horror that is my room, though I'm not sure why. It's not like my coworkers could hate me more.
Still, I'm posting here for help. A pep talk, advice for pushing through. Advice for cleaning a horrible, mildewed carpet (which is going to get replaced with hardwood floors anyway but still, I'm mortified by coworkers discovering the disgusting state of my recent existence). Entertainment to keep me awake. Anything.
I do have a system that got me through this past week. I like podcasts and I binge listen to podcasts as I clean. While an episode is playing, I clean. When it finishes, I sit down for a short break, have some tea, whatever. Then I put on another podcast episode and keep going. It has helped, but today will be a huge, horrifying push to the finish line and I'm terrified I can't do it. It would be easier if I were in a more supportive environment, but I'm not. So here I am on this board.
Thanks so much for letting me tell my story.
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roarshark
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Joined: June 2016
Posts: 33
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Post by roarshark on Nov 12, 2017 5:36:50 GMT -5
Welcome Rex. If it helps, youre not the only one to have experienced something similar to what you're going through right now.
How much time do you have before you need to be done with the cleaning?
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Post by notanotherdecade on Nov 12, 2017 5:37:43 GMT -5
Hello rexd well done on getting so much junk into the skip, I'm not a coffee person, but a cup a strong coffee every few hours will keep you going, Podcasts are good, I often have the radio or an audio book on to distract myself when I have to get on when emotions get too strong, It is a difficult situation to be in when accommodation is linked into employment, no wonder the situation is stressful. I'm guessing that the boss has probably been in the room before, and has a fair idea of what to expect. With one day remaining you can only do what is most important,,, and that includes getting a couple of hours sleep (set two alarm clocks to wake you up) The workmates, by the sounds of it they are folks who you feel are likely to mock regardless of what you achieve , , the best I can say there is "haters gonna hate" .. Do the best you can , do it for yourself, not for fear of them. Good luck with today xx
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Post by mynicehome on Nov 12, 2017 7:10:22 GMT -5
Hello and welcome rexd. Sending you energy and courage for this clean-up. Good work on all you've gotten out so far. The new room sounds like a great reward for all your efforts. It'll be a fresh start for you in housekeeping and in self-care.
My suggestion would be to pull up the rug and roll it against the wall rather than waste time cleaning something that is going to be replaced anyway. Hopefully it's not glued down.
Hugs for feeling like a pariah. I hope that thought changes with your new accommodations.
Wishing you success. Keep us posted when you get a chance.
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Post by phoenixcat on Nov 12, 2017 7:42:46 GMT -5
Welcome! If you only have a day left - I would concentrate on getting out everything you want/need to keep as a priority. Cleaning an area that is just going to be gutted and overhauled is using a lot of energy to please people that either 1) are going to find fault no matter what or 2) already know the issue going on there. Maybe get out all the remaining trash if you have time. Please keep coming back so that we can help you maintain your "fresh start". You can do it!! PC
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Post by Minerva on Nov 12, 2017 7:44:30 GMT -5
Hi, rexd. You've done loads already. This is the final stretch. One way or another, you are done with that room and starting with a clean slate tomorrow At this stage, I would stop worrying too much about sorting while you have such a tight deadline. Get some bin bags and put anything that is obviously rubbish into one set and anything that needs sorting/cleaning/thinking about into another set (don't mix them up!). The rubbish can be thrown away, and the other stuff can just be transferred in the bags to your new room to be sorted over the next couple of weeks (using your current momentum). Then you can focus on the actual cleaning. Wipe down any surfaces. Clean your sink, toilet and shower. Then deal with floors and carpet. I agree, if the carpet is going, then it would be easier to try and pull it up and roll it at one side of the room than to try and clean it. Before you leave, make sure the windows have been opened (if they will) to air the room out a bit and help with the smell. If you can stick a couple of air freshener in there as well, that may help. Bleach has a strong smell too. Stick some of that in the toilet bowl, and anyone entering the room will smell that over anything else (but with open windows/good ventilation only!) Are there any particular stains or messes (other than the carpet) you need to deal with?
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rexd
New Member
Joined: November 2017
Posts: 56
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Post by rexd on Nov 12, 2017 7:48:35 GMT -5
Thank you for all your replies. I'm off from work, and I've had two cups of coffee. I'm not a coffee drinker at all, so I should be through the roof soon. I've made several more trips to the dumpster,and I'm about to start work on the bathroom. One step at a time. If I focus on the big picture, I'll get overwhelmed so I have to resist the temptation to look around too much.
Sadly, the carpet is a carpet. I know they're just going to pull it up and roll it like you said, but it's not something I'm able to do. The furniture will need to be moved out in order to pull up the carpet. I think I'll spot clean the most grotesque areas. I do have a carpet cleaner that might not be broken if I'm lucky.
Not really sure how long I have, but I'm locked in. Good luck on anyone getting in here before I'm finished. I expect the boss might be back tonight or tomorrow. But once I'm out, I'm out.I'll enjoy the new room. I may come here for maintenance help.
If y'all don't mind, I'll post progress updates here. Hopefully that will help keep me focused. Okay, bathroom, here I come.
Thanks again!
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rexd
New Member
Joined: November 2017
Posts: 56
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Post by rexd on Nov 12, 2017 7:56:24 GMT -5
Are there any particular stains or messes (other than the carpet) you need to deal with? Well this is going to sound gross, but fly poop on the door frames. I've got magic erasers for that. Some kind of sludge in one corner of the bathroom. And black stuff (God knows what) around the window frames). Thanks for all the advice. I have a good smelling bathroom cleaner. No bleach but fabric refresher. And some stain remover for the carpets. I've gotten MOST of the big garbage items out and to the dumpster. now I have the small but hard to pick up stuff that I've been herding to the center of the room. I think this is doable as long as I don't let myself get overwhelmed and paralyzed by fear.
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Post by sidestep on Nov 12, 2017 8:01:13 GMT -5
Welcome rexd. We're here to cheer you on in your cleaning efforts, so please keep checking back as you are able! Meanwhile, Good Luck!
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rexd
New Member
Joined: November 2017
Posts: 56
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Post by rexd on Nov 12, 2017 9:15:08 GMT -5
Welcome rexd . We're here to cheer you on in your cleaning efforts, so please keep checking back as you are able! Meanwhile, Good Luck! Thanks! You guys are helping with my attitude, you really are. Having trouble with the black sludge in the bathroom though. I seem to just be spreading it around
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Post by hedy on Nov 12, 2017 9:27:38 GMT -5
Is it the kind of sludge that can be scooped up with a handful of newspaper? Perhaps you could use thick paper towels to scoop it up and dispose of it? Afterwards, just use a nicely smelling cleaner. Oh, and if you feel overwhelmed, just remember: what is the WORST that could happen? Would you live to see another day? Good luck!
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rexd
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Joined: November 2017
Posts: 56
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Post by rexd on Nov 12, 2017 10:03:03 GMT -5
Is it the kind of sludge that can be scooped up with a handful of newspaper? Perhaps you could use thick paper towels to scoop it up and dispose of it? Afterwards, just use a nicely smelling cleaner. Oh, and if you feel overwhelmed, just remember: what is the WORST that could happen? Would you live to see another day? Good luck! I just don't want to be homeless when I live to see another day. I've been using a scraper for a lot of the sludge. Using discarded towels and sheets for the rest. Cleaning the microwave while waiting for the kaboom to de-grey the bathtub. All in all, the bathroom is going slower than I wanted. But I've gotten the fly poop off the bathroom door frame. That's something. Not giving up yet.
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Post by Minerva on Nov 12, 2017 10:05:42 GMT -5
Ah, the joys of sticky things that just spread around. I find scooping or scraping up as much as possible before wiping helps - try using a spoon or an old credit card to gently lift it (to not scratch anything). Then when most of it is gone, follow up with plenty of soapy water.
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Post by Minerva on Nov 12, 2017 10:06:27 GMT -5
Oh see, you're ahead of me
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rexd
New Member
Joined: November 2017
Posts: 56
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Post by rexd on Nov 12, 2017 10:19:47 GMT -5
Thanks y'all. I can't believe there are people in the world who understand the sticky sludge.
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