Extreme filth, animal waste, how to clean?

Question

My bestfriend's cousin has been going through some health problems lately, and has been suffering serious depression. She has let her home go to the extreme extent, and I know it bothers her. She has tried to clean and organize many times, and it somehow piles up on her again.

She takes in stray cats, and has an indoor dog. The cats have made such a mess of her home. Some use the litter box and other go ALL over the floor, on the couch, kitchen counter, even the stove! :*( She loves the cats and will not get rid of them.

Her floor is so soiled, the beige carpet is now med-dark brown with filth. The cats walk on this, get it on there paws and walk all over the counters and leave nasty paw prints, everywhere. Her dog gets into the trash and spreads it all over. Her cats urinate and poo all over her place, on bags and boxes. She is in a rut, and can't seem to keep everything clean.

Any advice, how to you clean this extreme filth?

Thank you all for your answers. She's a sweet person, and really does love and take good care of the cats, she has been trying hard to clean and within an hour the cats re-soil. She's been throwing some stuff out, and we are planning to spend a weekend helping her - just in need of some cleaning tips. Again, thanks!

Answer 1

Sounds like this person needs professional help. If she's not already, she's bordering on becoming a hoarder. Considering she's having a hard time taking care of herself, pets of any kind are the last thing she needs. Talk to your friend about having animal services or social services helping her. It's not good for her to live in that filth and it's not good for the animals either. Mostly likely the animals will have to be placed in other homes, but it's for the best not only for her but the animals.

I can't imagine the stench in this house, the only solution to that is to tear everything out and start over. Cat urine and feces in that great amount will never be totally removed from the floors and surfaces, neither will the odor.

Please have your friend intervene so this poor woman can keep her home back, her health back and mostly likely her sanity.

Answer 2

I can't believe so many people are telling you to call animal control, or whomever! That's crazy. All you are asking is how to clean when a home has gotten to that extent. This person needs compassion, not LEGAL TROUBLE!!!!

If she is not taking care of her pets, however, then i'd say it's time to step in, for the welfare of the animals above all. But, i've known atleast two people in my lifetime who had let their homes slip out of control similarly. One had some issues he was dealing with, once it was resolved he cleaned up his home and keeps it cleaner that most people I know! And the other had near 20 cats and 6 dogs. Much like you describe you friends relative, her house was taken over, and it was bad!! She didn't need an intervention, she didn't need to be ripped away from her pets (Does anyone understanding how much more emotional damage this can do?!!), she got her home very clean, made a few small changes, and has kept it that way going on 7 years now.

Lots of febreze, baking soda, vinegar, trash bags, a new organization system, chore system.... You/she can do it. Good luck to you..... :)


(*Furthermore, to the person who claims it's a person's legal responsibility to REPORT a filthy house - Come on, get real! *lol* Care to share your source, perhaps the statute stating such LAW?*)

Answer 3

I hope this person's friends and family are encouraging her to seek professional help for her depression. She could need medication (or, if she is currently taking some kind of drug therapy...more or different meds).

There are only 3 answers to this question:

1) A professional housekeeping service and organizer must be hired to clean and organize the filth......or
2) This person cleans up and maintains her own home.......or
3) She chooses to continue to live this way.

I appreciate the fact that you want to help, we all would do the same in your shoes. But it sounds as if the bigger problem is the person, herself, and her battle with depression. I would think that once she begins to have success with fighting this depression, her housekeeping habits would return to normal.

In the meantime, if you feel you must do something about the house....hire a professional cleaning service. I wish you the best.

Answer 4

WOW I hope she is being treated..and feels better soon..I would really start with one room and work on that untill it is done..it didnt get that way overnight so it wont be clean overnight either..throw everything away that has come in contact with the animal feces..I know that part will be hard but cat urine and such is impossiable to remove when taken care of in a timely manner..Good luck to you she is lucky to have a caring family!!

Answer 5

Cats are usually very clean animals, and will go in a littterbox; however, if it is dirty and overflowing, they will go anywhere as a sign of rebellion. The first thing is to get that box clean and KEEP it clean. If your friend can't take care of all her animals, you may need to file a complaint with ASPCA. It's not fair to the animals to live in filthy conditions, despite how much this person says she loves them.

Answer 6

um...regardless if she loves these cats or not, or if she's not willing to give them up. she's being extremely irresponsible. if she's not capable of taking proper care of her animals, and it doesn't seem like she is, she needs to find homes for them, before the authorities come in and take charge. what you described is animal hoarding, and animal abuse.

maybe not the kind of answer you were looking for, but asking how to clean extreme filth is a little ridiculous.

Answer 7

she needs to either get rid of the cats or confine to one room.the carpet needs to be removed, completely. if that is not an option then i would steam clean it with Natures Miracle. you can buy at petsmart. clean everything with Clorox clean up. also, i think the woman needs help. otherwise it will do no good to clean up. the house will be tore up again in a few months.

Answer 8

You must read this!

By walking into her house, you are now legally responsible for the condition of the house and your friend. You are looking a jail time for animal cruelty. Yes, you. To avoid this situation, you MUST call animal control IMMEDIATELY and explain the situation. If you do, you have done your duty and the legal responsibility is no longer yours. Also, if you do, your friend will be sent to court and will get the necessary treatment she needs at no cost. If you don't, you, your friend, and anyone else who knows about this will go to jail if the authorities find out. All it takes is one person to knock on the door and see what you said.

In short,
CALL ANIMAL CONTROL, NOW!