On-The-Job Essentials

Since the A&E Network series “Hoarders” began, I’ve been contacted countless times by hoarders, friends/families of hoarders, and Professional Organizers wondering if I have a supply list I’m willing to share with them. Many of these people simply don’t have the time or resources to research a list of products that are necessary and helpful to take to a job site. For those folks, I’m posting a few of my “favorites” or “must-haves.”

Please keep in mind when looking over the list that it is not perfect. Rather, it’s a work in progress. If you have any additional suggestions, I’d greatly appreciate your input. You can add your comments below in the comments section.

Also, while cleaning supplies do appear on this list, I’d like to point out that Professional Organizers are not house cleaners. We typically don’t clean homes (unless otherwise stated), and you should not, under any circumstances expect a Professional Organizer to provide cleaning services. When hiring a “hoardologist” or “disorganization expert” or anyone else, you should ask exactly what services are included in the fee.

Note that many of the items on the list can be found at your local hardware and discount stores. I do not have any connections with the people at Uline, for example, and I am not benefitting personally from using any brand names or specific companies mentioned.

Supply Kit ~ Working With Hoarders

Online Resources

• WWW.ULINE.COM
• WWW.CONSOLIDATEDPLASTICS.COM
• CDC WWW.CDC.GOV
• AMERICAN RED CROSS WWW.REDCROSS.ORG
• WWW.DISPOSABLE-GARMENTS.COM

To Do

• Tetanus shot & Hep-B Vaccine
• Take allergy medicine if you have a prescription

First Aid

• Benadryl
• Bug Spray / Insect Repellant
• Band Aids & Neosporin
• Hydrocortisone Cream
• Antibacterial wipes & Hand sanitizer
• Eye Drops

Environmental

• Indoor air quality test (IAQ)
• Ozone Machine—if needed
• Air Purifier
• PURE AYRE spray
• Fans
• Flashlight (or headband with a flashlight)
• N-95 respirator masks
• NITRILE gloves or/and Safegrip gloves
• Water resistant shoe covers
• Coveralls or Tyvek disposable protective suits (www.disposable-garments.com)

Storage, Hauling, & Trash Removal

• Storage units, dumpsters
• Hand truck
• Hinged, plastic, moving, stacking boxes
• Cube truck w/ hinged lid
• Moving boxes and Banker’s boxes –THESE ARE NOT THE SAME THING
• Garment rack on wheels

Cleaning and Organizing Supplies

• Rolls of quarters and laundry detergent/dryer sheets
• Mesh laundry bags, laundry baskets for clean clothes or hinged-lidded crates
• Round trip totes made by Orbis (www.uline.com)
• Step ladder
• Utility knives, tool belt and tape measure
• Labels for boxes and containers (vinyl press on envelopes from www.uline.com)
• Painters tape and Duct tape in different colors
• Tape gun and packing tape to assemble boxes
• Label maker and extra tape
• Contractor trash bags—55 gallon (these are stronger and bigger than trash bags)
• Recycling trash liners (www.uline.com)
• Biohazard bags for really messy stuff
• Trash can bands to keep the bag from falling down in the can
• Aluminum snow shovel, rake, square shovel
• 32 gallon trash can with wheels & 3 colors of trash bags: donate, trash, save
• Sprayer – like landscapers use for weeds
• Paper towels
• Folding Table or other flat surface to work/sort on and folding chair to sit on
• Bleach
• Hula Hoop or Embroidery Hoop

Food and Personal Supplies

• Bottled water and Individually wrapped snacks
• Toilet paper
• Over the door hook for purse and coat
• Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap
• Hibicleans liquid soap
• Scrub brush for nails

Partners

• Dry cleaners and laundry services
• Handy man w/ insurance for drilling/repairs/hanging
• 1800Got Junk
• Cleaning companies and Carpet cleaners
• Therapist for client

Office Supplies

• 3 ring binder & binder clips, rubber bands
• Bright yellow card stock
• Scissors, stapler, pens, pencils,
• Large Black Sharpies + regular size Sharpies,
• Highlighters
• Ziploc bags—in a variety of sizes
• Box Bottom Folders
• HANGING File folders box of 100
• 1/5 cut tabbed file folders—plain color/one color
• Stretchy bands that can be labeled
• Banker’s Boxes with lids and “cut out handles” for easy lifting & stacking

Finally, I want to say a special thank you to a few who graciously donated their time helping me help hoarders. While I was working on location during the filming of “Hoarders” (without internet access), these generous organizers put in late hours and helped me order products and organize items on various lists; they advised me about specific tools for specific jobs, made arrangements for products to be shipped, or looked up SKU numbers. Many thanks to the following:

Scott Roewer, CPO: Solutions by Scott
Linda Mino, CPO-CD: Always a Solution
Sandra Felton: The Organizer Lady
Kara Russelo: Little Virgo Organizing
Janine Adams: CPO-CD of Peace of Mind Organizing