A Major House Cleaning Before My Parents Move

Time to move on! My parents have decided to move to a senior community, and it is about their time to go. My parents are seventy six and eighty years of age. Their health has had some challenging times. I have volunteered my free time to help them because I know they need me, and I want to make it as easy as possible for them to let go of their material possessions. They can not take everything with them that has been accumulated over the years. The fact that 45 years in the same big house can hold a lot. Especially when there is a lot of storage area space. And the basement, which originally was meant for entertaining and living in, has ended up to be the final resting place for everything that has made my family's life full and meaningful.

Basement Memories

My parents raised me and my brothers in this house we are cleaning out since I was six years old. I knew the basement inside and out, since it was my play area for many many years. Not only did my two brothers and I have fun in this basement, but so did our extended family members and our friends. Board games, ping pong, darts, music lessons, holiday and birthday parties, and lessons for woodshop and chemistry science lab, along with the usual household chores that our mother had us participate such as laundry were the memorable activities in this basement of ours. As we got into our teens, my oldest brother decided it was time to move to his own room and this, too, was in the basement.

The basement in our teen years became a haven for my brother's rock band practices, parties, and just a place for any of my brother's friends to "crash" and sober up before going home. I had some parties of my own as well in this famous basement of ours. When we got older, and my brother moved away home to go to college and live out of state, the basement was available for more extended family to move in to. I even had to sleep there when I had no where to go. If only the walls could talk! What excitement they would speak about.

The basement was not only special for the activities we had, some interesting events occured in there too. For instance, one time a squirrel ran inside the house, and my brother's friend tried to catch it. Unfortunately, the squirrel lost its tail in the battle. When I was seven, I picked up my music book to play piano, only to discover a baby rattle snake had fallen out of the book. It scared me stiff with a scream! I could not move until my mother called the exterminator to catch it under a metal coffee can, and then it had to be euthinised. My mother decided to save it in a jar to show my oldest brother, who was interested in becoming a scientist. My parents' basement became a safe haven for the birth of two different litters of our kitty, Prudence, who was a stray that we took in. The first litter, she only had one kitten. We named him Spooky, because we could not find him for days. The second litter was five kittens, who we ended up giving away.

My parents made sure that the basement was also a fun place for their four grandchildren. Such a fun place to be through the years, and now it is time to empty it out for good.

Cleaning Up The Flood

We had a lot of problems over the years in the basement with flooding, from Hurricane Agnes in 1971, many storms in between, Hurricane Isabel in 2003, and most recently, Tropical Storm Lee this September. All through the years, the job of cleaning up the water became more challenging. The mold and mildew eventually built up. Such a loss, not only to the goods that were damaged, but everything has eventually been saturated with the smell. I was able to recover some things that were properly secured in air tight bags or containers were not affected, such as my Dad's framed certificates and diplomas that he had earned from being a physician.

Down Below The Staircase

I couldn't wait to get under the staircase. I knew that there were a lot of things in that closet space that no one had cleaned out yet. I pulled out bags of clothes, tote bags filled with tote bags, suitcases, flag poles, old cots, and then in the very back in the darkest part, were two old suitcases, dated from the 1950's. Each one belonged to my mother and my father. My Dad's suitcase was marked "Manila, Philippines" to "USA". It was empty. The second suitcase belonged to my mom. I was compelled to open it. As I opened up this old suitcase, I was full of excitement to find my very first ballet slippers, my tap shoes, and four of my very first "tutus" that I ever wore as a dancer. The shoes and the outfits, very petite, fit me when I was at the age of five and six.

The Dumpster

I was the one who made the very first suggestion to order a dumpster to fill up with the damaged goods. This would take more than just the assistance of one. The large pieces of furniture, such as couch, chairs and old mattresses/ box springs had to be moved by my son and his Dad. The books, papers, old toys, games, and many other outdated broken home accessories were also added to the dumpster. The joint efforts of everyone helping have really accomplished much. I have enjoyed the reminiscing as I go along. My parents have learned to let go of their attachments to many memories as well. That moldy smell was not pleasant, and it has had some effects on all of us, such as headaches. Wearing gloves and covering the face with a mask provided some protection.

What Not To Put Into The Dumpster

When receiving the dumpster, we were given some very specific instructions. What not to put into the dumpster is any chemicals or dangerous liquids such as bleach, turpentine, paint, household cleaners. No refrigerators can be put into the dumpster due to the freon content in its pipes. No tires can be put into the dumpster, because of its toxic chemical in the rubber. And no other hazardous materials that are explosive. (Who would think of putting old fireworks in a dumpster, anyway?)

Thrift Store Here I Come.....

All my Dad's suits for the past 45 years, plus many coats, comforters, and blankets, along with many household goods were sent to the local thrift store. The advantage of this is that all donations have become tax deductible with the proper receipts filled out. It is good to know that not everything was wasted. The thrift store accepted the bags and then through their distribution process sends them to their associated stores who prepare it for the shelves, and racks, and then priced accordingly. It is my experience that an average man's suit can be between $4 to $10 and bedding can be up to $10. At this particular store that my daughter and I have gone to, every Wednesday is 1/2 price for white tagged items.

Time To Call The Family

There are some items that are near and dear to my parents, such as paintings, a clock and some other household pieces that are just too precious to throw away. So my Mom has been on the phone, locating the proud new owners of wonderful things that they are not able to keep in their new home.

Dealing With The Water Damage

What is the best way to clean the floor that has mildewed from all that water damage? Remove the tiles, of course. In three weeks, after my son vacuumed out the excess water, he has worked very hard removing the damaged tiles. After he cleaned the entire floor with Bleach solution, and utilized a dehumidifier and air fans to dry the floor, he has removed almost all the tiles. What A MESS!!! But since his efforts have been in effect, the basement smell is much better. After my son has finished the tile removal, he will sand the floor with an electric sander. Eventually, the new floor that will go in.

We Are Not Finished Yet

My parents still have a lot to do before they can move into their new community. So much to be done. My Mom writes herself notes so she can remember what to take to the new house. When she is ready, then it will be bubble wrapping time. It is amazing how much has gone into one house forever it seems, but now the saying, "You Can't Take It With You" means so much more to them.