How do I convince/get my grandparents to throw away junk in the house?

Question

My aunt and my grandparents live together and since the beginning of time my grandparents keep everything that comes into the house. My aunt is genuinely tired of asking them to throw away trash or things that can be recycled or not needed, because every time this happens they get into a fight. She's asked me to convince them to clean up a little bit. I asked them nicely and the same happens, and replied sarcastically telling me that why am I being like my aunt and why would you chuck away stuff like apples...

The junk is not "apples", but rather things like cardboard boxes, newspapers, plastic bags, disposable cups & utensils and even a broken tumble dryer, everything you can imagine has been piling up in the kitchen, living room, dining room, staircase etc. There is no place to walk or put proper stuff and this is a new house they've just moved in. You can probably imagine the amount of dust gathering on top of those things and they've bought air purifiers to "get rid of the problem"... They are really nice people and they feel it's a waste to dispose of them but really this is getting to the extreme.

How would you convince them if you're in this situation?

dallas · Accepted Answer

tell them to call "American pickers" and get payed!

Antst · Answer

It is going to be hard.  Unfortunately, it may not even be possible. 

Have you ever watched the TV show, Hoarders?  It sounds like your grandparents may be hoarders.  These people have a psychological problem where they hold on to junk.  When people try to make them clean up, they get defensive.  I have known hoarders and this is not a problem that can be solved by one conversation.  It is a never-ending process.  It will be VERY difficult to stop this problem.

I suggest that you and your aunt (and maybe a couple of other people from the family) get together with your grandparents and have a serious talk about this.  If you do it together, your grandparents are more likely to realize that they have a problem.  If only one person is pressuring them, they can say that that person's standards are too high...

Keep the conversation short and your words clear so that your grandparents get the message.  Don't back down when your grandparents get defensive.  For example, you could say, "we know you like to save things.  But this is becoming a problem.  You have junk piling up.  It is going to become a health hazard because rats and bugs will start living in the piles and it could become moldy.  Also, some day we are going to have to clean it up.  It is clutter and it is stressful to be in the house because of it."

They will have all kinds of excuses about why they need the junk.  You all need to say, "what do you need it for?"  Don't back down.  Remind them that the city and Adult Protective Services can step in and either fine them or make them leave the house if it gets too bad.  

Like I said though, this is such a difficult problem to solve.  If I were your aunt, I would move out.  Even if the grandparents DO see that they have a problem and agree to change (which is not that likely), they are going to need to be nagged constantly to get rid of stuff in the future.

Good luck.

Anonymous · Answer

Well maybe the do not want to throw it away because it means something to them or maybe the just can't let go of some of their valuables

JroxAvier · Answer

CLEAN HOUSE. The hostesses do really good bargaining and you make money at the same time.

Anonymous · Answer

Don't try, just throw them yourself. Each day a few things, they won't notice too soon :)

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How do I convince/get my grandparents to throw away junk in the house?

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