Squalor Survivors / Cleaning

[jenk]

noelfigart posted a link to www.squalorsurvivors.com. Part of me was fascinated, as I quickly determined I had lived, sometimes for months, in second degree squalor. Yes, squalor can be measured. According to the site, it's "degrees of squalor" are the scale that psychiatrists use.

The other thing I found interesting is their page on "reality cleaning". This is not Martha Stewart / Heloise / Home Comforts wisk-a-duster-in-the-stage-set cleaning; their measurments of "clean" are a lot closer to reality that you see in magazines. Together the 4 degrees of squalor and 4 stages of clean form a pretty good scale to see where you're at....

First degree squalor

You are getting behind in tasks that you would normally manage, like laundry and dishes. You are not the tidy person you once were. Little piles are starting to emerge and your disorganization is starting to affect your life and inconvenience you. Things are just starting to get out of hand and become unmanageable. A sign of first degree squalor might be that you are embarrassed for other people to see your mess ... but you would still let them in the house.

Second degree squalor

Now things are really starting to get out of hand. Signs that you have reached second degree would include losing the use of normal household items like your bed, table, television or telephone, because the piles have expanded to cover the items up. You start to develop new methods of moving around your house, as normal movement is impeded by your piles of stuff. You might start making excuses to discourage people from entering your house.

Third degree squalor

At this stage, you have all the above, plus you have rotting food and animal faeces and/or urine in the house, and this is the rule not the exception. You cannot cope with the growing mess. Essential household repairs may not be done, because you are too afraid to let a tradesperson see your house. Just the thought of someone seeing your mess causes you great stress.

Fourth degree squalor

At fourth degree squalor, you have all of the above, plus you have human faeces and/or urine in your house that is not in the toilet.

Stage one clean:

Surfaces are neat; the centre of the room is free; piles are on perimeters. No rotting food, but current meal remnants allowed. Current craft projects, current books/magazines ditto. Perhaps some de-cluttering still to do; also smallish dust bunnies lurking UNDER furniture. But in general room looks nice. You feel ok about things. Unexpected Company would be welcome ... especially at night!

Stage two clean:

No piles. No dust, even under furniture. No food at all. Insides of drawers/cupboards/shelves: neat and clean: even if no one can see! You are elated! There is now a GLOW to the room, a lovely welcoming feeling. Company encouraged: even in daylight!

Stage three clean:

Now we're into serious stuff: fresh flowers; rugs shampoo'd; chandeliers washed; windows sparkling. No dust (of course); no fingerprints on walls; company stunned by beauty! As for you --- this is beyond your wildest dreams!

Stage four clean:

This requires $$$$ and/or TIME and/or ENERGY: time for redecorating, renewing, replacing. New paint, wallpaper if needed. New carpet/flooring if needed. You are now finished: "House & Garden TV" is filming the room! This perhaps is just a dream.......