What Is the Quickest Way to Clean Out a Basement?

basement filled with piles of old junk

Updated December 6, 2022

Basements are one of the easiest places to let junk and clutter accumulate.

Piles of slightly-used junk can build up quickly in your basement if you're not careful.

Items you no longer really use but don't know if you're ready to toss out often find a home in a basement where they never see the light of day again.

Old papers and documents, outdated clothes, slightly-used holiday decorations, old athletic equipment—all of this can build up quickly over time and can lead to your basement being a cluttered, unsightly mess.

When considering the process of decluttering and organizing your basement, it can feel like an overwhelming task.

"Where do I even begin?" is a common question homeowners have when facing a basement cleanout, and "How do I get this done quickly?" is often the next question. 

Luckily, Hometown is here to help answer those questions, and we make it easy to get started.

In this guide, we'll discuss...


Find junk removal services near me


how to clean out basement fast infographic

Clean Out Your Basement Fast with Junk Removal Services

Arguably the hardest part about getting your basement decluttered and organized is the labor involved.

Hauling heavy items out of your basement, making repetitive trips up and down the stairs with cumbersome trash and boxes, going through dusty items, and finding a way to get rid of everything you no longer want quickly and safely is exhausting and sometimes dangerous work.

Professional junk hauling services specialize in cleaning out basements, attic cleanups, garage cleanouts, entire home cleanouts, bulky item removals, and property cleanups.

Junk removal companies are experts at safely cleaning out cluttered spaces, like basements, in record time.

Instead of breaking your back and spending your weekend cleaning out your garage, reach out to local junk removal companies for help and get it done fast.

How to Get Started with Your Basement Cleanout

1. Determine What You Want to Get Rid Of

Unless you want to get rid of everything in your basement, you will want to start your basement cleanout by determining which items are staying and which are going.

Once you know what you want to get rid of, set those items aside and make a pile.

If you have entire sections of your basement that you know contain items you want to get rid of, you can point those areas out to the junk removers.

Making it clear to junk removal companies which items you want them to take will help them determine the scope of your project and the time and labor it will require.

Learn more about decluttering:

2. Get Quotes from Local Junk Removal Services with Hometown

looking down stairs at junk piled in basement

Hometown makes it simple for homeowners and business owners to request junk removal quotes from companies in their area.

Just enter your zip code and browse the junk removal service providers in your area.

From there, you can read more about their services, see what their customers have to say about them, and request free quotes from as many companies as you like.

We recommend getting three or more junk removal quotes whenever possible to help ensure you pay a fair price and get quality services from a professional and friendly junk removal company.

Tip: When reaching out to junk removal companies for a project quote, be as detailed as possible when describing what you need removed and where it's located. If you can provide pictures or video of your junk and where it's located/how accessible it is, this will help ensure you get an accurate quote and good customer service with minimal contact.

Keep reading about junk removal services and costs:


Find junk haulers near me


3. Hire the Best Junk Removal Company

If you're able to provide adequate information, photos, or video of your basement cleanout needs, junk removal companies will likely be able to provide a quote over the phone, via text, or by email. 

If you're not able to provide enough information for the junk removers to provide an accurate and informed project estimate remotely, that's OK.

Junk removal companies will typically send two employees to your home or business to provide an in-person quote when the job involves more than just a few items.

These quotes are free and you are not obligated to hire them if you don't like the price they quote you.

If you agree to the price of their basement cleanout services, they get started right away.

Read more about hiring junk removers:

4. Pay for Your Services and Finish Organizing Your Basement

Payment is taken once the basement cleanout is complete.

Now that your unwanted junk is gone and out of the way, you can now finish organizing your items.

Utilize shelves to maximize storage space, label waterproof storage bins to keep items dust-free and easy to find, and limit the items you store in the basement moving forward.

Everything in your basement should have a designated storage space. And when you bring new items into your basement, it's a great rule of thumb to take one out in exchange to minimize clutter from piling up again.


Find cleanout services near me


Find out how to improve your basement: