EcoHaz | About

WHY

ECOHAZ?

Our Story

A Business Built on Empathy

EcoHaz was founded with a simple but powerful belief: that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and compassion, especially those facing the most difficult situations. We are professional extreme cleaning specialists, serving Cape Town's residential and commercial clients with care, skill, and discretion.

Our focus began with hoarding cleanup, one of the most emotionally complex cleaning challenges. The World Health Organisation classifies hoarding as a disorder, and we treat it accordingly, with patience and understanding.

We also aspire to create meaningful employment for people in our own community in Cape Town, uplifting our own, and making a difference, even in a small way.

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What We Stand For

Our Values

Discretion

Your situation is private. We maintain confidentiality, no signage. What happens on site, stays on site.

Compassion

It is not our place to judge. We are here to help. We give you a fresh start and a clean environment, and we do it with kindness and respect.

Eco-Conscious

We strive to use hospital-grade products where possible, and as a company we take pride in doing our best to work in an environmentally responsible way.

Community

We employ from our local Cape Town community. Every job we complete helps uplift and create opportunities for our own.

Education & Awareness

Understanding Hoarding

It is not a lifestyle choice or a reflection of character. It is a disorder that affects many people, and it requires compassion, not judgement.

What Is Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding Disorder is characterised by the persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. This difficulty results in the accumulation of items that clutter living spaces and significantly impact quality of life.

The disorder is often linked to anxiety, depression, trauma, or OCD. People who hoard do not see themselves as messy. They feel a deep emotional connection to their belongings, and letting go can feel overwhelming or even unsafe.

Who Does It Affect?

An estimated 3–5% of the population is affected by hoarding disorder globally.

It affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It does not discriminate.

It often goes unaddressed due to shame, isolation, or fear of judgement, which is why we approach every situation with full discretion and care.

The 5 Levels of Hoarding

Based on the nationally recognised Clutter Hoarding Scale, professionals assess severity across five levels. EcoHaz is trained and equipped to handle all of them.

Low Severity

The home is generally tidy and easy to move through. There may be a little more clutter than usual, but all rooms, doors, and exits are fully accessible and there are no sanitation concerns. This level is often not recognised as hoarding at all.

Mild Severity

Clutter has begun to build up in certain areas and some rooms may feel a little crowded. Day-to-day life continues mostly as normal, though tidying may feel increasingly difficult or overwhelming. Mild odours may begin to develop.

Moderate Severity

Clutter is now noticeable throughout the home and certain rooms can no longer be used as intended. There may be some sanitation concerns. The person living there may be feeling embarrassed or isolated. With the right support, this is very manageable.

High Severity

Moving through the home has become difficult and key living spaces are no longer safely usable. There may be structural concerns, mould, or signs of pest activity. The situation can feel overwhelming, but professional support makes a real difference.

Extreme Severity

The home has become unsafe or nearly impossible to navigate, with serious structural, fire, or biohazard risks. This level requires sensitive, specialised intervention using professional equipment and protective gear. It is not too late to restore a safe and liveable space. That is exactly what we are here for.

No matter the level, we are here to help. Whether you are reaching out for yourself or for a loved one, EcoHaz will approach the situation with complete discretion, zero judgement, and genuine compassion. You do not have to face this alone.

About EcoHaz