6-Step Junk Removal Plan

Construction & Contractors Articles

If your house is getting overly cluttered, you know it's time to take the bull by the horns. But it's easy to feel overwhelmed and not know where to start. If you're ready to begin the process of ridding your home of junk, here is a simple 6-step plan to get the ball rolling, clear the junk, and keep your home clutter-free down the road.

1. Clear a Space

Before getting started with anything, you'll need to have an area to put all your things that you want to get rid of. Clear a place in your carport, garage, basement, or even a bedroom that isn't being used. This is important because having everything in one central location will make every other step go smoother and faster.

2. Make Two Piles

As you start bringing things into your junk room, make two separate piles. One will be for treasures, i.e. those things that can be donated or sold, and the other will be for trash that needs to be hauled away. If you're not clear on the difference, don't assume that just because you don't want it no one else will either. That old refrigerator that doesn't work anymore and that bag of old clothes do not belong in the trash pile. However, broken plastic crates, ripped up magazines, and pieces of that bed that broke last year are all things that cannot be sold or re-purposed. Before deciding which pile to put something in, ask yourself if it can be fixed and used.

3. Organize a Community Yard Sale

Now for the fun part. Either have a yard sale or see if any neighbors would like to help you organize a community sale. At this point, you will take all those items that were in the treasure pile and try to get rid of them. Keep your profits in a special place and use it for something fun or hire a junk removal company to take what you cant sell away for you.

4. Donate What You Can

Whatever doesn't sell at your yard sale can be donated, no matter how weird or odd you think your item is. Even those eye glasses from several years ago that you no longer wear can help someone less fortunate. A United Way Agency known as "New Eyes" is happy to accept donations of used glasses that are still in good condition. Other charitable organizations you may not be aware of include the following:

• Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation. Accepts gently used musical instruments for distribution to schools in need.
• Dress For Success. Sends dress clothes to women who otherwise wouldn't have professional attire for their job or an interview.
• Bikes For The World. There are many communities around the world that rely on bicycles as a primary mode of transportation. If you no longer use yours, donate it to a good cause.  
• Brides Across America. If you have a wedding dress less than five years old or even a lovely vintage gown, this organization may take it off your hands and give it to a military bride in need.

5. Hire a Junk Removal Service

After the yard sale is over and all items have been donated, it's time to finally hire a junk removal crew, such as those at The Dump Guy, to take care of the last remaining items. If you're not sure what to look for in a reputable company, it's generally recommended to hire someone with few restrictions on what they will take. Be aware that most companies won't remove hazardous items that are forbidden due to local ordinances. This can vary from city to city but usually includes chemicals such as bleach, fertilizer, oil, etc. Ask the company you hire ahead of time for recommendations on how to handle anything hazardous.

6. Come Up With a No Clutter Plan

Now that your home is cleared of junk, you want to keep it that way. Set a few rules, such as the following, on how to prevent things from collecting unnecessarily and getting in over your head.

1. Have an "in and out" rule in which every time you bring a large item into your home, one large item has to go out. This can work for small items too, like clothes, lamps, and toys for the kids.
2. Come up with a shopping schedule and only purchase certain items that take up a lot of space once or twice a year.
3. Designate one day per quarter where you make the rounds and collect items that can be donated.

9 August 2016