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Post by happyjoanne on Mar 12, 2020 1:49:19 GMT -5
I am so grateful I have found this group. I have suffered from squalor which has gotten worse of over the years along with my depression as I am diagnosed Bipolar. I am currently living in 3rd degree squalor and know this isn’t how I want to live. Dog urine/feces smell is just not a normal fragrance in anyone’s house! I have struggled with the cycle of self loathing this brings to my life. I know my squalor has been directly related to my depression which has been suicidal level for lengths of time. It has been 1.5 years since I completed a outpatient intensive program for my depression and I can only count on 1 hand how many suicidal thoughts I’ve had since then! I knew this issue had to be something others deal with after all I’ve seen Hoarders on tv. I am committed to getting this under control, improve my self worth and maintain. I am at the end of the road as it is starting to impact my life outside of the house (sour smell of clothes from being I washer too long, notice urine smell on my book bag for work). I have 4 days off and want to start getting into a routine to tackle this issue using FlyLady modified to fit my needs (single, live by myself). My goal for tomorrow is to make my bedroom my oasis massage this is where I spend all my time. I have paper towels and rubber gloves on my grocery cart to begin working on my living room which has puddles of urine (some dried) and poop. From what I read, soaking this up with paper towels and soap/water is the best start. I do plan on ordering an enzyme cleaner... luckily the entire house is laminate floor (cheap at that). Any recommendations on best tools to get this back to normal ( best mop to use really). I keep envisioning wanting to bring the garden hose in and spraying it down and use a squeegee like we did in the dog kennel I use to work at. Any newbie advice is welcome... I already am so grateful I found this safe place to deal with this issue and get better!
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Mar 12, 2020 2:03:57 GMT -5
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Post by larataylor on Mar 12, 2020 6:40:15 GMT -5
happyjoanne - welcome to the group! I think you'll find that being in a supportive group like this gives you an immediate boost.
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Post by notanotherdecade on Mar 12, 2020 8:00:01 GMT -5
Congratulations on the success from the therapy 👍 Sounds like it's giving you the strength to face the house head-on.
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Post by mylittlescholar on Mar 12, 2020 8:26:45 GMT -5
Welcome happyjoanne and I love the affirmation in your user name!
We have laminate floors, and like the Lamar product line. We have both the refillable wet mop with the washable head covers and the flat dry mop with the washable microfiber covers. They are pricier to buy, but cheaper (and more eco-friendly) to use.
I am a fan of good tools, because nothing spoils a cleaning mood like a spray bottle that doesn't work. We mix our own cleaners with boric acid (Borox), Dove soap, vinegar and water. I love a good microfiber cleaning cloth, an apron with pockets for small brushes, and must have my gloves because I am squeamish! I also can recommend the Herb Doc's Air Detox as a natural air freshener.
Check out the "work-along" threads and challenges--they keep me going! Many people also start a blog in the member's only section to track their progress.
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Post by joyinvirginia on Mar 12, 2020 9:12:30 GMT -5
Welcome! Do you have dogs or cats? You can get belly bands to fit over male dogs belly and catch the urine if they mark inside.
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Post by happyjoanne on Mar 12, 2020 10:37:37 GMT -5
Thank you so much for the warm welcome! I have been praying about this issue for sometime and posted about it in my Bipolar FB support group where a wonderful soul pointed me to Squalor Survivors and then found this board! She has become a friend and we are going t support each other. Lots of information to go through so I appreciate the quick tips to get me started. Loved the urine board post and going to order some enzyme cleaner now! I had used one that was affordable from a local commercial cleaning supply company when I lived in New Bern over 10 years ago... I have heard great reviews on some of the ones mentioned.
@mylittlescholar (not sure how to reference usernames here)... I have heard that is the best tool too. In the Lost Art of Cleaning by Jan Dougherty she recommends this but she also recommends buying rags to use for the mop part which I did and loved! I just do a little and change out rags and throw in the wash after. I bought a big lot from Amazon along with microfiber rags..l still have most of them so I will use this idea! Thanks for remind me! Going to head over to the work-along threads now to post my lans today!
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Post by Unswamping on Mar 12, 2020 11:10:39 GMT -5
Welcome happyjoanne im so glad you found us. Thats great the intensive program worked for you. Starting with urine and poo is a great place to start. You are not alone in living with third degree squalor. The good news is, you dont have to stay there, it is possible to get the mess cleaned up and to learn new habits. It doesnt happen overnight and sometimes people backslid. Thats ok! All of us here have been there, struggled in our journey and we keep posting. It does get better!
For tagging, most people here are @ plus their screen name because their screen name and user name are the same. Mylittlescholar, Lioness and myself are a few of the exceptions. You can either click on someones name, their user name will be on right side of their profile. So tagging would be @ and theire user name with no space. (After you post, the name changes color and you shouldnt see the @ sign). Also if you do "reply" instead of quick reply, there is a box in upper right toolbar with @ sign. If you click that a box will popup. You can type a screen name in and it will bring up a list so you can chose the right name. Thats also handy for people with long user names.
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Post by joann1968 on Mar 15, 2020 7:53:57 GMT -5
Welcome to the group here, Happy Joanne! I feel like this is a safe place to post. I am Bipolar, as well, as well as Schizoaffective and diagnosed with Complex PTSD. I also have a lot of serious Physical Health Issues. Just the Psychological Issues are bad enough due to the lack of Motivation and Depression that goes with them. I have been Hospitalized just as many times for them as my Physical Issues. I have been working on my house for quite awhile and have started to see progress.
I follow Flylady as well. I too have the problem with animals, but mostly it is from my parrot who occasionally has an accident. Fortunately, Parrot Poop doesnt stink and is easy to clean up with Enzymatic Cleaner like Poop Off and a Rag. For my Hardwood floor I clean it with Murphy's Oil Soap and it comes right up. My bird is mostly Housebroken, so doesnt have many accidents. My dog and cat dont go in the house, usually, but for them there are the Dog Diapers or Lap Bands, like previously recommended.
I no longer work, so dont have any problems like Coworkers or Managers noticing any longer. But I did work up till I retired ten years ago, so know how hard that is to deal with. Sometimes it just seems people in those categories are just out to upset you, make your life as hard as they can and just generally give you a hard time. Anyways, I dont miss my old Corporate life at all. Anyways, I hope you make a lot of progress in the time you have to work and once again, welcome to the page.
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Post by def6 on Mar 17, 2020 14:17:59 GMT -5
Hello happyjoanne It makes me so happy to hear that you got help for depression and you are doing much better. I do have a tip that really works on sour clothes left in the washer: add 2 cups of vinegar, soap then run them again. They will smell great! |
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Post by gillian on Mar 27, 2020 15:55:16 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum, Happy Joanne - I like your positive username! Well done on getting started on your house. you'll get plenty of support here.
Def6, that's a great tip - I will definitely try that one as smelly clothes from being left too long in the washing machine is a frequent occurrence. Thank you!
Gillian
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