Matt Paxton

Matt Paxton is recognized as a leading expert in downsizing, decluttering, and hoarding, drawing on personal experience rather than formal training. Paxton began his career after the deaths of his father, stepfather, and both grandfathers, which led him to assist families dealing with clutter and emotional attachments to possessions. Originally trained as an economist for the Federal Reserve, he transitioned to this field by founding Clutter Cleaner, a business focused on organizing and cleaning homes for grieving widows and relocating seniors, and soon became known for working with extreme hoarding cases.

Paxton served as an extreme cleaner on "Hoarders" for 15 seasons and appeared on the Emmy-nominated series "Legacy List with Matt Paxton" on PBS. "Legacy List" highlights homes filled with family heirlooms that require cataloging and organization, showcasing Paxton's practical approach to estate cleanouts and senior relocation. He also hosts "Filthy Fortunes" on Discovery, further expanding his reach in the decluttering and estate management space.

As the founder of Clutter Cleaner, Paxton has led teams through thousands of complex estate and large-scale cleanouts, emphasizing prioritization, resource management, and decisive action. The company supports families through emotional and logistical challenges, operating a franchise model to serve communities nationwide. Paxton's work is grounded in the belief that trauma and loss often underlie clutter, and that families should approach these situations with understanding rather than judgment.

Paxton is the author of "The Secret Lives of Hoarders: True Stories of Tackling Extreme Clutter" and "Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff," the latter written in collaboration with AARP. His books address the psychological barriers to decluttering and provide practical strategies for managing possessions during life transitions.

On stage, Paxton delivers presentations that combine humor, storytelling, and actionable advice, connecting with audiences on topics such as aging, caregiver fatigue, transitions, and hoarding awareness. His expertise in estate cleanouts, senior relocation, and hoarding intervention makes him a sought-after speaker for corporate, nonprofit, and community organizations.