Here’s the thing I see most with cleanouts. People sort for a whole weekend. Then the “get rid of” pile sits in the garage until spring. The sorting was never the hard part. The hard part is having a plan for where everything goes.
So let’s make that plan. It works for a garage, a storage unit, a move, or a parent’s house. (Moving soon? Pair this with our guide on how to declutter before moving.)
Pick your spaces and a real deadline
Write down the exact spaces you’re clearing. Just the garage? The attic and the shed? One storage unit? Be specific.
Then set a deadline tied to something real. A move-out date works. So does a lease ending or a storage bill coming due. A date on the calendar keeps you moving when you hit the boring part at the end.
Give yourself about a full day per busy room or per 10×10 storage unit. Add more time for photos, letters, and paperwork. Those always take longer than you think. Our tips for decluttering sentimental items can help with the hard ones.
Sort into four piles
Two piles (“keep” and “toss”) sounds simple. It doesn’t work. Use four:
- Keep. It’s coming with you or going back on the shelf. If it won’t all fit at home, our storage unit size quiz tells you what size unit you need.
- Sell. Good furniture, tools, and newer electronics.
- Donate. Still useful, but not worth the hassle of selling.
- Toss. Broken, worn out, or nobody wants it.
Try to decide once. If you’re stuck on something, drop it in one “decide later” box. Write a date on the box. If you haven’t opened it by then, it goes to donate. No guilt.
Set aside the stuff that needs special handling
Do this before you call anyone to haul. Some things can’t go in the trash or in a junk truck.
Chemicals. Old paint, solvents, bug spray, pool chemicals, and car fluids count as household hazardous waste. The EPA says to take them to a local collection program, not the trash (EPA: Household Hazardous Waste). Most counties hold drop-off days or run a permanent site.
Electronics. Old TVs, computers, and phones have parts that shouldn’t end up in a landfill. Lots of stores and cities take them back (EPA: Electronics Donation and Recycling). Wipe your data first.
Big problem items. Mattresses, tires, and fridges or freezers often cost extra to haul. Some haulers want a heads-up about them. Your city may also have a drop-off spot just for these.
One more tip. Shred old bank and tax papers. Don’t just bag them up.
Get the good stuff to the right place
Donating takes a couple of quick calls. Thrift stores often turn down stained couches, cribs, car seats, and big appliances. So ask first.
Got leftover building stuff? Habitat for Humanity ReStores take a lot of it. Think cabinets, doors, light fixtures, and working appliances. Some stores will even pick up big donations (Habitat for Humanity ReStores).
If you’re selling, snap photos and post early. Give each item a week. Anything still sitting there a week before your deadline moves to donate. That keeps it from turning into junk at the last minute.
Size up your toss pile
Now look at what’s left to throw out. Most junk removal crews charge by how much of the truck you fill. You’ll hear terms like “minimum load,” “quarter truck,” “half truck,” and “full truck.” A full truck holds about as much as several pickup beds.
Here’s a quick way to guess. Picture your pile stacked into a neat box. If it’s about the size of a washing machine, that’s a small load. A one-car garage bay filled waist-high is often half a truck or more.
Heavy stuff changes the math. Concrete, roofing, and dirt are often priced differently. Some crews won’t take them at all. Mention them when you call.
Choose how it leaves
You’ve got three good options.
Haul it yourself. Borrow or rent a truck and drive it to your local transfer station or landfill. It’s the cheapest way for a small pile. Check the fees and what they accept before you go.
Rent a dumpster. This is great when the job runs a few days and you’ll toss stuff as you go. Think whole-house cleanouts and remodels.
Hire a junk crew. They do all the lifting. It’s worth it for heavy furniture, lots of stairs, or a tight deadline. National chains are an option too; see our 1-800-GOT-JUNK prices and promo codes.
Prices swing a lot depending on where you live and what’s in the pile. It helps to know normal prices before you call around. This free junk removal price guide lists typical costs by load size. That way you’ll know right away if a quote is fair.
Get quotes you can compare
Describe the job the same way to every company. Tell them:
- about how much stuff there is
- the biggest or heaviest pieces
- any stairs or long walks to the truck
- any mattresses, appliances, or electronics
Then ask a few questions. Does the price include labor, dump fees, and tax? Are there extra charges for certain items? Do you donate or recycle what you can? Are you licensed and insured?
Photo or in-person quotes are usually closer to the final bill than phone guesses.
Get ready for haul day
Put everything in one easy spot, like the driveway or the garage. Mark anything that’s staying so it doesn’t get grabbed by mistake. Measure big furniture against your doorways. Pull off legs or doors if you need to.
Clearing a storage unit? Call the facility first. Ask about truck access and whether dumpsters are allowed. Our storage unit cleaning tips cover the rest.
Wrap it up
Once the truck pulls away, sweep the space. Cancel the storage unit if you don’t need it anymore. Keep your donation receipts too, since they may help at tax time.
Then make one small habit. Keep a donation bag in a closet. When it’s full, drop it off. That way you won’t need another big cleanout for a long time.
You’ve got this. Plan where things go first, and the rest is just lifting.
About the author: Steven Venable runs Junk Removal Nearby, a free directory that helps people compare local junk haulers and see typical prices before they book.