Is recycling a big part of your clutter issue?

Hey collectors! Especially my GREEN Bay area collectors! And all of those green people out there in the world recycling to make a difference! Thank you so much for doing your part. 

I would like to talk a little bit about recycling and how it can create clutter. A lot of the times I walk into a home and peoples recycling bin's are out of control. Most of the time recycling is all over the place. My clients know it's a good thing to recycle but it just never gets out the door. 

Do you have a recycling overload at your home? 

There are a few common items people get hung up on, first I will start with rinsing. You do not need to rinse your recycling. If you do not believe me call your local recycling center. No one is going to think of you as dirty or lazy because you did not rinse out your recycling. Please note mucky items such as peanut butter should be rinsed out.

I have several clients that rents their recycling to avoid fruit flies. The problem is not with the recycling, you need to take your recycling out more often. Please see below.

Next I noticed people wait until a large recycling can is full until they take their recycling out. Take recycling out in small bags every day so that you don't get backed up. Sometimes people make their recycling bins or bag so heavy that they can no longer physically take them out. Keep it small and simple by taking out small bags that are easy to manage

Also if you struggle with hoarding disorder and/or perfectionism, I want you to think to yourself about how important it is to address your hoarding tendencies and not so much the rinsing of the recycling... What is really important to you? Getting your life back together or impressing these imaginary people at the recycling center? Don't lose track of your vision!

I love recycling, I have even attached a picture of my recycling bin so you see that I practice what I preach.

I have my recycling bin at the top, and my stash of bags at the bottom. Yes even I have a very small stash of bags.

My recycling container is easy to manage, and easy to clean.

The moral of this story is ... Continue recycling! Just don't be a perfectionist about it or let it get out of control by using the tips in this post.

Do you need help getting your recycling under control? 

Visit www.collectorcare.com 

or call 925-548-7750 today!

Rachel Seavey, Blogger #collectorCareCares

Spring Cleaning in 15 Minutes or Less from Collector Care

Hey Collectors! It's time for Spring Cleaning! Here are some quick tips to help you along the way. Choose at least one item from the list below and go for it! You can do it.

1. Schedule 15 minutes a day. Just a few minutes will keep your home organized and help you avoid clutter catastrophes.

2. Choose to keep, toss or donate items. Throw away or donate anything old, unused or unwanted. Toss anything damaged or broken.

3. Throw away outside clutter. Immediately toss things like hangers from the dry cleaner, plastic stadium cups and florist’s vases.

4. Throw away any clothes with stains. These do not double as rags. And they can’t be donated. They’re only taking up space.

5. Immediately recycle junk mail. Don’t even bring it into the house.

6. Check for expired coupons. Coupons are awesome, but can easily become an untamed mess. Store everything relevant in one envelope and regularly recycle unwanted or expired coupons.

7. Empty your purse, pockets and drawers of unwanted receipts. Shred or recycle old receipts. You most likely aren’t going to return anything for a receipt over a week old.

8. Choose paperless billing. Most bills can be paid online. It’s the quickest way to prevent piles of paper.

9. Opt out of unwanted catalogs. Call the number listed and ask them to stop sending you mail.

10. Tame your virtual clutter. Clean out your computer. Delete old documents and sort important files in clearly labeled folders.

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

Hoarding Disorder And How It Could Harm Your Pet

Hello Pet Loving Collectors!!! We know you love your pets! We are not going to lecture you about this when we arrive. That being said, let's discuss hoarding disorder and how it harms your pets.


Does your pet have an adequate place to stretch out?
We have met a lot of dogs and cats that have always had a cramped space to live. Most of these pets suffer from joint problems. Make sure you have a nice flat spot on the floor for your pet, preferably in front of a window or sunlight for added pleasure.

Does your pet have access to spoiled food and water? By throwing out rancid pet food and cleaning out your pets water bowl often, you save yourself trips to the vet. We have noticed a lot of pets in hoarding homes suffer from skin infections, or are on antibiotics. Make sure that your pet always has fresh food and water.

The avalanche. Use your imagination. Your pet can and will get trapped and possibly killed in this event. Cats love to hide in the middle of possible avalanche areas. PLEASE try your best to not create these hazards. Unfortunately, we find deceased pets more often then you think.

Medication. Keep your meds away from your pets. This includes pot brownies (another story we hear quite a bit!) Your pets are your children. They are very curious. It is up to you to protect them.

Collector Care is not state mandated nor are we trying to take your pets away. We love animals just as much as you and understand that most of these animals know no other way, and are VERY happy. They grew up in CHAOS, and they are your best friends. We also understand that hoarding disorder can be overwhelming and we are on your side. By gaining insight on your disorder, and asking for help, you WILL overcome this!

Do you need help making this all happen? Hire a Professional Organizer! We are trained, licensed, bonded, insured and discreet. Let us help you and your furry loved ones create a safe space you love.

www.collectorcare.com 925-548-7750 rachel@collectorcare.com

Collector Care 4.5 Tips Reduce the Junk in Your Trunk

Hello Collectors! We  have had the privilege of riding with you in your cluttered cars, as well as helping you clear out your cluttered trunks. We have organized trunks that have been so cram packed; the stuff inside was shaped as a mold of the trunk.  We have clients that have had to sit on their trunk to get it closed.

We know it's not just clutter in your home, but in your vehicle as well. We totally get it.  Depending on the size of your trunk you can really fit a lot in there! You might need those things one day. Or will you?
Things people need in their trunks include: a spare tire, jumper cables, first aid kit, water. Your trunk should not be used as rolling storage or a rolling trash bin.

Another thought - what about your fuel economy? You are paying to haul your junk around. With all that extra weight in your trunk, you are actually costing yourself money.

Below are 4.5 tips to help you clear the clutter in your car trunk, truck bed, back of van etc: (we have seen it all)

1. Take a large tarp and set it up next to your vehicle somewhere outside safe. Pull everything out of your trunk and put it on the tarp.
2. Vacuum your trunk and spray air freshener inside. Wipe down any spills.
3. Remove all the garbage off of the tarp, and dispose or recycle.
4. Items that go back into the trunk are carefully put back. Items that go back into the home are immediately put away.
5. Don't forget to put the tarp

Friend the Marquis on Facebook!

The Grand Marquis above has it's own facebook page! If your feeling friendly go ahead and send a friend request! If enough friend requests are sent we will organize the trunk for free!

We hope these tips help you reduce the clutter in your trunk and save you gas money.
Need help organizing your trunk? Call a Collector Care Professional Organizer today!
925-548-7750 or rachel@collectorcare.com

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

Collector Care Before & After Photo's : Project Single Parent

Hello Collectors! We love when our clients allow us to use their photos for our before and after showcase. Below you will find work that we did for one of our North Bay clients and his family. This client was a level 2 on the ICD clutter hoarding scale, and we knew with a little bit of Care we could turn this house into a home again.

Bedroom before.

Bedroom after. Note, there is still homework for the client to do, such as continue to sort surrounding bins.

Hallway before

Hallway After

Daughter's room before.

Daughters room after.

Son's room before.

Son's room after.

Living room before.

Living room after.

If you are overwhelmed with clutter, are chronically disorganized or have issues with hoarding - there is help! We love the warm fuzzies we get with helping you transform your space. Not only do we address your "house" problem, we  help you understand new ways of thinking. We give homework for our clients to do in between sessions. We follow up thoroughly. We are not going to clean out your home and never talk to you again. Unless you want it that way :) Most of our clients appreciate the maintenance we offer and the suggestions we have. We have kids so we understand the mess that comes with them! We have pets ... we get it! Let's come up with solutions that work that are custom made for you. We offer honest timelines and pride ourselves on our efficiency. Go ahead, give us a call - we offer free estimates!

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