Collector Care Interviews:Tony Leonardini Owner of Bay Area Bio Clean

Bay Area Bio Clean Blog

Tony Leonardini has been General Manager of Collector Care for quite some time now, and has decided to go into business for himself! We have always used Tony for our large jobs, especially the ones that can get gross.

Whether it is rat infested, squalor-ous, moldy, etc. We can count on Tony to get the area cleaned and disinfected. Tony pays amazing attention to detail, and takes a lot of pride in his work.
In addition to being efficient and trained, he is incredibly compassionate and caring. Our clients love working with him, and trust that he will get the job done.

I have never seen Tony flinch at a sight or smell, which has always impressed me. We smell some smells Collectors, this is really hard to pull off (there is a gag reflex involved)!!!
Most of us have seen an episode or two of "Dexter" and might have a convoluted idea about what a crime scene cleaner actually does. Keep reading to find out what a crime scene cleaner does and why you would ever want to hire one.

Rachel: What does a crime scene cleaner, or extreme cleaner do? What exactly are you cleaning?

Tony: A crime scene cleanup technician is a trained professional who cleans Biological hazardous waste. This can include suicide, homicide, blood, and other trauma related bodily fluids. An Extreme Cleaner is a person who cleans up situations that require Personal Protective Equipment or PPE. These situations are commonly animal hoarding, hoarding cleanup, mold, rotten food, human and animal/rodent feces and urine. 

This is a rat infested garage cleanup.

Rat feces and urine cleanup

Rachel: Why would a professional organizer hire a crime scene cleaner?  

Tony: Most Professional Organizers contact me when they encounter hoarding situations where the amount of property is beyond them, or just the types of property is too gross or foul. Often these types of homes have rotten food, rodent urine, gross filth, and squalor conditions.

Thanks to Bay Area Bio Clean these sharps were removed and disposed of!

Rachel: Why would anyone else hire a crime scene cleaner?

Tony: Sometimes tragedy strikes and we are left to deal with the messes. Whether suicide, decomposition, blood, vomit, squatter in a home, deceased pet, or any other trauma scene cleanup a Crime Scene Cleaner is the right person to call. 

Rachel: Tony thank you for letting us know about your new business, and hazmat up brother!

Collectors, thank you for stopping by our Collector Care blog on crime scene cleaning! If you need to hire Tony Leonardini please call him at 925-596-8894 or visit his website at www.bayareabioclean.com.

Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer (and blogger) For Collector Care

Collector Care specializes in hoarding disorder, chronic disorganization and professional organizing. We  love what we do, and  provide realistic expectations and timelines. Please visit our website at

www.collectorcare.com  or call 925-548-7750

Tweet us on Twitter : Like our Facebook page : Pin with us on Pinterest

Collector Care's 4.5 Tips on Preparing for an Organizing Session

Hi Collectors! One of my favorite questions is "what should I do before you get here in order to prepare for our organizing session?". Here are 4.5 things you can do before a Collector Care Professional Organizer comes to your home!

1. Get plenty of rest the night before. Decluttering is exhausting, having a rested mind and body is important.
2. Do not clean before we get there! We want to see your space as it usually is, and we want you nice and rested before we come.
3. Eat a healthy breakfast. If you need protein bars for quick snack breaks keep them plenty close.
4. Drink a lot of water. Organizing can make you thirsty! Make sure you have plenty of water on hand so you aren't parched during a session. 
5. Relax. This is an exciting time in your life. Think about how wonderful your space will be after we leave. Don't worry about what we will think when we come. It takes a lot to shock us. Why just the other day we saw

So there you have it Collectors. Rest, eat, water and peace. We know you can handle it!

 Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer and Blogger for Collector Care

Collector Care specializes in hoarding disorder, chronic disorganization and professional organizing. We  love what we do, and  provide realistic expectations and timelines. Please visit our website at

www.collectorcare.com  or call 925-548-7750

Tweet us on Twitter : Like our Facebook page : Pin with us on Pinterest

Collector Care: 4.5 Holiday Travel Tips for Collectors, Savers and Preppers

Happy Holidays Collectors! Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest travel weekend of the year. Traveling during Thanksgiving often requires patience and a lot of preparation.

Here are 4.5 Travel Tips for Collectors like yourself who are information junkies, prepppers, clutterers, and savers. Enjoy the humor, absorb the good tips and travel on!

1. Plan ahead. Collectors, we know you like a good deal. Take advantage of lower rates in the early fall by using social media. Sign up for sale notifications from your airline of choice on Facebook and Twitter. It’s never too early to start your holiday travel planning. 
2. Pack light/travel light Most of our Collectors have multiple travel bags, before your trip designate one specific travel bag.  Do NOT buy any  travel products, look inside your many existing travel bags and purses for what you need and consolidate. We know you have many toothbrushes, toiletries, and hand sanitizers laying about the house. Take a day to corral them all for your trip. It will save you money and a trip to the store.
3. Find your ID's and Passports. Every week our team recovers passports, ID's, social security cards, checks, check books, gift cards. Collectors, you are going to have to designate ONE safe place for these crucial items. They do not belong in the kitchen pantry under a computer. I'm just saying. If you need help finding something our Tony Leonardini is a recovery specialist and he is more than happy to come help.
   
4. Print your boarding pass at home, or have the link on your phone. We know you battle with losing papers, try your best to keep these in your "current" purse or in sight. I find keeping them in a bright orange folder helps. If all else fails, leave enough time to wait at the counter for check-in.
5. Plan a day to unpack after your trip. I have emptied countless travel bags filled with

We wish you happy travels Collectors! Do your best to not collect too many shampoos and soaps while you are traveling. Note pads and pens can be left in the hotel room. You have everything you need at home, enjoy your clutter free trip!

Collector Care Professional Organizers specialize in custom solutions for clutter, chronic disorganization and hoarding. If you need help locating documents, important identification, or money in order to travel, we can help! Our Organizers are thorough, efficient and honest. We are licensed, insured and bonded. What do you have to lose ... besides the stuff we can find?! www.collectorcare.com

Collector Care: 4.5 Products That We Love

Hello Collectors! Want to know what our favorite products are? We want to share them with you! These are products that we use all of the time from our minor #clutter jobs to our major #hoarding jobs.

It's always nice to get free samples, so if you are one of these companies, no pressure!

1. Husky Contractor Bags. I fell in love with these years ago at Home Depot. They can carry a LOT of garbage and donations! These bags are in no means flimsy and are WAY heavy duty. 
2. Lysol Disinfectant. Spray, spritz, pour whatever it comes in, it gets the job done. And it does not leave spots on your clothing like bleach. For someone who wears black a lot, this is important. 
3. 3M N95 Respirators and masks with particulate filters. Ow! Keeps dust and odors out while decluttering.
4. Dickie's Pants. We can't get enough of the multiple pockets and the long lasting wear.
5. Hand Sanitizer from Bath and Body Works. Small enough to fit in your pocket, with many fragrances to

Collector Care Before & After Photos : Hoarding Clean Up - Bathroom

Hello Collectors! The title of this post should be clear enough, so if you are still here - prepare to see the kick ass job we did in this bathroom. All of the trash had been removed but feces/urine/blood was still present. Often we deep clean bathrooms and kitchens to complete a job. Did you know that regular cleaning companies (ie; Merry Maid) will not do this kind of job? We pride ourselves on flipping your home. I get on my hands and knees and scrub myself. I get asked that question a lot :)

Master Bathroom Before

Hang on the best is coming ... if you are reading this now, I commend you for your enthusiasm!

TA-DA!!!

 

So there you have it folks, no job is too dirty for Collector Care. We do not judge any of our clients and are very grateful when someone allows us not only into their home, but to take photos for our showcase.

Collector Care professional organizers and hoarding experts are here 6 days a week to help you on your journey. Whether you need your garage organized or you cannot get into rooms in your house, we are here for you!

Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer (and blogger) For Collector Care

Collector Care specializes in hoarding disorder, chronic disorganization and professional organizing. We  love what we do, and  provide realistic expectations and timelines. Please visit our website at

www.collectorcare.com  or call 925-548-7750

Tweet us on Twitter : Like our Facebook page : Pin with us on Pinterest

4.5 Things You Might Not Know About Collector Care

Hello Collectors! We get asked all sorts of things on the job, so I thought I would make some information readily available for any potential clients reading our blog. Please feel free to use this as a forum to ask any other burning questions you might have!

1. We do cleaning as well. Light cleans and deep cleans based on your specific situation. This includes bathrooms and kitchens, dusting and vacuuming. You should ask us!
2. Is safety a concern for you or a loved one? Let us come in and do a free risk assessment. We install fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and do small handyman repairs to assist in your safety.
3. We are not going to come in and throw all your stuff out. We are trained to go item by item upon your discretion, and nothing leaves your home without your approval. We are hands on, meticulous and thorough. We recover valuables daily.
4. Hablo español! ¿Conoces a alguien que necesita ayuda, pero no habla Inglés?  
5. We have a dance that we made up called the Collector Care, first you bend your knees and then you

Collector Care Professional Organizers in the San Francisco Bay Area. We serve the entire Bay Area - we travel often, we don't mind driving - so no excuses! We provide honest timelines and pride ourselves on our efficiency and skill. Whether you have people coming to visit, have always been disorganized, have hoarding disorder, or you just moved - we can help. Closet control and garage organization - we love it.  Can you not have repairs done due to clutter? Have you been turned down from a house cleaning service? Are you tired of living in chaos? These are things we hear all of the time. We understand how you feel, and want to help you regain your living space. Go ahead, give us a call... we offer free estimates. 925-548-7750

Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer (and blogger) For Collector Care

Collector Care specializes in hoarding disorder, chronic disorganization and professional organizing. We  love what we do, and  provide realistic expectations and timelines. Please visit our website at

www.collectorcare.com  or call 925-548-7750

Tweet us on Twitter : Like our Facebook page : Pin with us on Pinterest

Collector Care Professional Organizers - Hotel in San Francisco Before & After Photos

Hello Collectors! This is a project that we did in beautiful San Francisco, California. Our client just moved into her hotel room and needed help getting organized. By using a free room planning app, she was able to create the exact layout she wanted. We were very excited to make it happen and super thankful for allowing us to use these  pictures. 

Here are some before and after pictures:

View from the front door (Before)

View from the back corner of the room - not much room in this 200 square foot hotel suite.

We needed to organize the kitchen/pantry space. as well as define a living room (Before)

 

After several hours we were able to get the job done, and were just finishing up the final touches for the rest of the pictures below. I use my iPhone camera so please excuse the poor resolution. I try not to bring too much into any session with me to avoid losing items. : ) 

View from the front door (After)

Kitchen/Pantry We even deep cleaned her refrigerator! (After)

The kitchen/pantry is behind me and there is at least three feet of open space to walk around. Tony hung up pictures. We dusted cleaned and vacuumed.

ANOTHER SATISFIED CLIENT!

Thank you to our client for being so open about us using their pictures on the internet. Sometimes people just need help moving in and getting cozy ... Do you need help moving in? How about moving out?

Whatever your needs are, we try and help you reach those goals. Sometimes you might be disorganized due to moving, health issues, family drama, being too busy with work and life, other people's stuff etc. It's okay! Maybe you have always been disorganized - and feel it's impairing your life in a negative way. It's still okay! We are trained to find creative solutions for collectors with AD/HD, physical impairments and hoarding disorder. We pride on ourselves on being efficient and providing reasonable expectations. We offer affordable maintenance plans as well. Don't face your clutter alone!

We organize the entire Bay Area including Livermore, Pleasanton, Brentwood, Antioch, Concord, Walnut Creek, Danville, Castro Valley, Hayward, Oakland Alameda, Berkeley, San Francisco, San Mateo, Sonoma, Vallejo, Palo Alto, Milpitas, and if we have not listed a city here, just call and ask us!

925-548-7750

Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer (and blogger) For Collector Care

Collector Care specializes in hoarding disorder, chronic disorganization and professional organizing. We  love what we do, and  provide realistic expectations and timelines. Please visit our website at

www.collectorcare.com  or call 925-548-7750

Tweet us on Twitter : Like our Facebook page : Pin with us on Pinterest

Collector Care: 4.5 Tips On Handling Mail Clutter

Hello Collectors! Are you overwhelmed by mail? Not sure what to keep or save? If you are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, then give us a call today!

Tony Leonardini offers a "Mail Sorting Class" included in our services. Let us create a system that works for you. Save money on late fees and lost paperwork today.

If you are not able to have us over, here are 4.5 tips that can help you reduce mail clutter right away.

1. Do you have piles of mail around? Start by weeding out the junk and recycling it. Junk mail is bulky and by the time you get to read it the coupons may be expired.
2. Do you receive catalogs you don't need? Call the number listed for them and ask them to stop sending you mail.
3. Surrounded by bills? A lot of bills are available online. See what sort of paperless options your providers offer.
4. Set a timer for 30 minutes a day to tackle back logged mail.
5. Worried about your name? Tear it out and shred it. Recycle the rest of the remaining

Don't let mail keep you down any longer!

Collector Care offers custom solutions for clutter. Clear clutter and be happy!

Collector Care - Dogs love us! Professional organizers and pet lovers in the Bay Area!

Collector Care Collaborates With Extreme Cleaner Tony Leonardini

Welcome Tony!

Tony Leonardini has recently joined Collector Care. He is our General Manager and Estimator for our Northern California branch and definitely deserves a spot on our blog.

He is my right hand man when it comes to anything having to do with Collector Care. 

He builds custom garage and closet solutions for our clients. He  is a skilled plumber and handyman, and has brought sinks and toilets to use after many years. His dedication to our company is apparent and I could not think of anyone else that I would rather work with on a daily basis. 

Besides his charm and good looks - Tony has a heart of gold and it shows. He honestly wants to help.
Without further ado, I bring to you - Tony Leonardini! 

Rachel: Tony you have quite the extensive background in this field, what made you decide to expand into organizing?

Tony: I decided to enter this field to share my former experiences with peers and clients. I want to teach what I have learned as well as learn what others may be able to teach me.
 

Rachel: Why did you decide to collaborate with Collector Care?

Tony: I really like the Holistic approach that Collector Care and its employees take with their clients. I knew that I would be a perfect fit for the company.

Rachel: Who do you favor in this field? Why?

Tony: Honestly I favor all the Organizers and extreme cleaners in the field that genuinely like helping people in need. However, to answer your question directly, Cory Chalmers is high on the list, as is Dr. Michael Tompkins.

Rachel: Who is your ideal client?

Tony: My ideal clients are people who are overwhelmed in life either by physical or emotional clutter.
 

Rachel: When you aren't clearing large estates or cleaning up squalor, what do you do for fun? (Those two are pretty hard to top on the fun factor)

Tony: I enjoy spending my free time with my daughter. I love camping, fishing, and just about anything outdoors. I also like to watch movies and go for motorcycle rides.
Rachel: Thank you for letting me put you on the spot Tony! I am glad you stopped by our Collector Care blog and I hope you become a regular on here. 

To learn more about Tony Leonardini and Collector care please visit our website www.collectorcare.com or call 925-596-8894 and reach Tony directly!

  
 

Organizing Safety Tips: Preparing Your Home For The Winter

Hey Collectors! Our clients safety is our number one priority. Here are some safety and efficiency tips on preparing your home for the winter.

1. Have your furnace / wall heaters safety checked regularly by a professional.
2. Check all space heaters and keep them away from clutter, garbage, walls, curtains, and furniture. 
3. For gas appliances, invest in a carbon monoxide detector. (Carbon monoxide kills about 300 people in the U.S. every year.) 
4. Replace the batteries in all of your smoke detectors and test the smoke alarms to make sure they work. 
5. Ventilate properly when using heat from a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater . 
6. Close off unused rooms. 
7. Stuff towels in cracks under doors.

Are you prepared? Is your home safe? Have Collector Care's Tony Leonardini swing by for a free inspection! 925-596-8894. We are licensed, bonded and insured!

Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer and Blogger

Collector Care specializes  in Hoarding Disorder, Chronic Disorganization and helping the overwhelmed with clutter. Do you have a busy lifestyle? Let us help you get organized! www.collectorcare.com

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