The Oprah Show featured a two part series on the "Secret Lives of Hoarders" this week, and featured two empty-nesters named Sharyn and Marvin. In addition to 75 tons of garbage (that's 15 industrial sized dumpsters), the 100 member clean up team filled more than 1,800 large crates of items from the home, enough to fill three semi trailers.
Oprah with the 1,800 crates in her studio.
More than 75% of the home's furniture was destroyed by black mold and other infestations. Along the way, the clean up team found food from 1994 in the basement, dozens of umbrellas, a long forgotten pool table and thousands of gifts Sharyn had purchased but never given away.
Peter Walsh (left), with Sharyn and Marvin.
It took a little more than 8 weeks to complete what was originally scheduled to be a two week project. Organizational Expert Peter Walsh headed the effort, and after all the unwanted belongings were cleared from Marvin and Sharyn's house, the team rented a gigantic 10,000-square-foot warehouse to hold a rummage sale. The family profited more than $13,000 from the sale, which included more than 3,000 handbags and 3,000 pairs of shoes.
Note - This photo only shows about a quarter of the rummage sale.
Link - with more pictures and video clips from the show, via Oprah.com
Oprah with the 1,800 crates in her studio.
More than 75% of the home's furniture was destroyed by black mold and other infestations. Along the way, the clean up team found food from 1994 in the basement, dozens of umbrellas, a long forgotten pool table and thousands of gifts Sharyn had purchased but never given away.
Peter Walsh (left), with Sharyn and Marvin.
It took a little more than 8 weeks to complete what was originally scheduled to be a two week project. Organizational Expert Peter Walsh headed the effort, and after all the unwanted belongings were cleared from Marvin and Sharyn's house, the team rented a gigantic 10,000-square-foot warehouse to hold a rummage sale. The family profited more than $13,000 from the sale, which included more than 3,000 handbags and 3,000 pairs of shoes.
Note - This photo only shows about a quarter of the rummage sale.
Link - with more pictures and video clips from the show, via Oprah.com
Comments (15)
There are hoarders everywhere in the world not just the US.
One of my inlaws and his wife have it. It is unbelievable the amount of crap they have. And every weekend they go garage saleing for more!
I have no words... wow!
I'm more amazed that a ginormous rummage sale (including 3000 pairs of shoes and 3000 handbags) only earned them $13000 USD. I'm thinking Porky and her gang skimmed the cream off of that sale.
This reminds me of the story of Homer and Langley Collyer, who died buried by the garbage that they've accumulated in their home. Part of Neatorama's 30 Strangest Deaths article (about mid-way down).
i agree that they should follow up, too, but i think in like six months. the sooner they check in, the less mess they'll have to clean up.
I hope they washed the textiles before they put them out for sale. Eech!
One of my inlaws and his wife have it. It is unbelievable the amount of crap they have. And every weekend they go garage saleing for more!
There are hoarders everywhere in the world not just the US.