![\"Roll-off](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/Dumpster-in-snow-2.jpg\")
Dumpster rentals come in a variety of sizes, and each size is measured in cubic yards.
\r\n\r\nSimilarly, junk removal services are often priced based on the amount of space the junk takes up in the company's truck or trailer.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nKnowing how to estimate the cubic yardage of your junk or debris will make it easier for you to choose the right service for your project and how much you can expect to pay.
\r\n
To measure a cubic yard of waste, it helps to assemble the junk or debris you're trying to measure into a pile as much as you can so you can see what you're working with and adequately measure it.
\r\n\r\nA cubic yard measures 1 yard long x 1 yard wide x 1 yard high.
\r\n\r\nOn average, 4-6 garbage bags can fit inside a cubic yard, but it's harder to estimate more oddly shaped items, like furniture.
\r\n\r\nOne yard is three feet, so imagine how many 3 ft cubes it will take to hold the amount of junk or debris you have.
\r\n\r\nIf your junk is able to be separated and piled, it will be easier to assess and accurately determine the dumpster size you'll need or if junk removal is perhaps the better option (which is often the case if you have less than 7 cubic yards of debris).
\r\n\r\nThis cubic yard calculator is a helpful tool if you need help measuring how much debris or waste you need to dispose of.
\r\n\r\nLearn more:
\r\n\r\nDumpster rentals and junk removal services are often priced based on the cubic yardage of debris/junk you have. Find out how to estimate the cubic yardage of your junk or debris to easier decide which service is right for your project and how much you can expect to pay.
\r\n","changed":"2022-08-16T17:47:09+00:00"},{"id":"f76fe1ec-c55f-503b-bbd8-c811ef1c368c","title":"Yard Waste Dumpster Rental Guide","url":"/blog/yard-waste-dumpster-rental-guide","image":{"path":"/static/3e09c2468ee64dc3aae18cbf0f7ab63e/renting_a_dumpstre_for_yard_waste_disposal.png","alt":"rent a roll-off container for yard waste disposal"},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"02a42cee-60f9-5dfd-858c-22ec36b1ce1e","name":"Dumpster Rental","slug":"Dumpster-Rental"},{"id":"ce90299a-0886-5f97-a380-1dc175c6f535","name":"Yard Waste","slug":"Yard-Waste"}],"content":"Renting a dumpster for yard waste offers convenience, speed, and a great value for cleaning up large landscaping projects.
\r\n\r\nIt’s a viable option for jobs like removing large amounts of dirt, tree debris removal, brush removal, and more.
\r\n\r\nIf you've never had to rent a dumpster for yard waste, the good news is that you can clean load your dumpster for a potentially lower price!
\r\n\r\nNot sure what clean loading is? Keep reading to find out.
\r\n\r\nIn this article, we'll discuss:
\r\n\r\n![\"how](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/yard-waste-removal_0.png\")
\r\n![\"local](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/local-landfill.png\")
\r\nYard waste is prohibited from being dumped in municipal landfills.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nYou can’t lawfully mix yard debris with regular household or commercial trash due to negative environmental effects.
\r\n
When loading a dumpster with yard waste and inert debris, municipal wastes (trash, building materials, etc.) should not be mixed in with it.
\r\n\r\nThis allows the dumpster rental company to easily pick up the filled dumpster and drop off the yard waste at the proper processing facility.
\r\n\r\nResearch your local environmental laws before renting a yard waste dumpster.
\r\n\r\nEarth911 has a good state-by-state resource that can help you get started in learning local waste disposal laws.
\r\n\r\n![\"yard](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/yard-waste-disposal.png\")
\r\nThe dumpster size that is right for your particular project will vary by the rental company supplying the container.
\r\n\r\nSome rental companies only authorize 20 yard dumpsters for use on yard waste disposal projects, while others may allow yard debris in 30 or 40 yarders.
\r\n\r\nThe main concern for the rental company is the weight of the load.
\r\n\r\nYard debris can be quite heavy in many cases.
\r\n\r\nMaterials such as wet leaves, dirt, large tree logs, and other heavy materials can drive the weight of the load up substantially.
\r\n\r\nMost dumpster rental companies have a maximum weight allowance based on several factors:
\r\n\r\nThese are key reasons why dumpster rental companies have weight allowances on their dumpsters.
\r\n\r\nIt’s also the reason many dumpster rental companies only allow dense, heavy debris in smaller dumpsters, like 10 yard dumpsters.
\r\n\r\nIt’s important to know the exact type of debris to be disposed of and the approximate amount of it.
\r\n\r\nYour dumpster rental provider can help in estimating the amount and weight of the debris.
\r\n\r\nThis will ensure the right dumpster is selected to handle the project.
\r\n\r\nAverage Weight of Yard Waste and Inert Debris
\r\n\r\n| Dry dirt | \r\n\t\t\t1 cubic yard = 2,000 lbs (1 ton) | \r\n\t\t
| Wet dirt | \r\n\t\t\t1 cubic yard = 6,000 lbs (3 ton) | \r\n\t\t
| Rock / gravel | \r\n\t\t\t1 cubic yard = 2,400 – 2,7000 lbs (1.2 - 1.35 tons) | \r\n\t\t
| Tree / logs \r\n\t\t\t(10” diameter cut to 3 ft lengths) | \r\n\t\t\t10 logs = 0.5 tons (1,000 lbs.) (weight varies by tree species, size and water content) | \r\n\t\t
| Brush / leaves / organic matter | \r\n\t\t\t1 cubic yard = 1,000 – 1,500 lbs (0.5 – 0.75 tons) | \r\n\t\t
\r\n\r\n
A smaller dumpster, such as a 10 yard container, is ideal for heavy debris like dirt, wet leaves, or logs.
\r\n\r\nThe reason it’s not common for dumpster rental companies to rent out 30 or 40 yard dumpsters for heavy debris is that the weight would exceed the lifting capacity of the roll-off truck.
\r\n\r\nLearn more: Comprehensive Guide to Dumpster Rental Sizes
\r\n\r\nThe cost to rent a dumpster for yard waste is generally the same as renting it for general household waste or construction debris.
\r\n\r\nHowever, some rental companies charge less for yard debris due to some recycling centers being less expensive compared to paying for landfill tipping fees.
\r\n\r\n| Container Size | \r\n\t\t\tAverage Cost | \r\n\t\t
|---|---|
| 10 yard dumpster | \r\n\t\t\t$250-$450 | \r\n\t\t
| 20 yard dumpster | \r\n\t\t\t$350-$550 | \r\n\t\t
| 30 yard dumpster | \r\n\t\t\t$450-$650 | \r\n\t\t
| 40 yard dumpster | \r\n\t\t\t$550-$750 | \r\n\t\t
National average dumpster rental costs based on data collected by Hometown
\r\n\r\nLearn more: 7 Ways to Get a Discount on Dumpster Rental Costs
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"hands](\"/sites/default/files/migrate_images/composting.png\")
\r\nYard waste is compostable material as long as it is clean, meaning it cannot be mixed with other non-compostable wastes.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nComposting can help save on dumpster rental costs or completely eliminate them in some cases.
\r\n
Composting is a huge aid in eliminating space in landfills and is a responsible way to help the planet.
\r\n\r\nLearn more about composting:
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"yard](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/fallen-tree-debris.png\")
\r\nIt’s hard to beat the time-saving convenience aspect of renting a dumpster for bulk amounts of yard debris.
\r\n\r\nAlternative disposal methods, such as using a utility trailer and hauling it yourself, may seem like a money-saving option, but this is not always the case.
\r\n\r\nHaving a 10+ yard dumpster on site allows for fast, easy loading and offers the convenience of having the dumpster rental company pick it up and haul it to the processing facility for you.
\r\n\r\nYou save time and fuel costs compared to hauling it yourself.
\r\n\r\nLearn more: Compare the Cost of DIY Hauling vs. Renting a Dumpster
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"adding](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/alt-solutions.png\")
\r\nAn alternative solution to renting a dumpster for yard waste disposal is to hire a local junk removal company instead.
\r\n\r\nJunk removal companies take the convenience of a dumpster one step further by doing all the heavy lifting for you.
\r\n\r\nYard waste removal services can cost anywhere from $100-$650, depending on how large the project is.
\r\n\r\nKeep reading:
\r\n\r\nRenting a dumpster for yard waste offers convenience, speed, and a great value for cleaning up large landscaping projects. Read our guide to get started with your yard waste removal today
\r\n","changed":"2022-08-31T21:01:00+00:00"},{"id":"3efc5764-d059-559b-b728-69722c3be033","title":"Take Advantage of Slow Seasons to Rent a Dumpster","url":"/blog/take-advantage-of-slow-seasons-to-tackle-projects","image":{"path":"/static/eb46df0595c7704974f3bdf1aa5db873/Dumpster-in-snow.jpg","alt":"roll-off dumpster on snowy pavement"},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"02a42cee-60f9-5dfd-858c-22ec36b1ce1e","name":"Dumpster Rental","slug":"Dumpster-Rental"},{"id":"59e80e10-b42a-5876-8471-f7ca60fbc75e","name":"Dumpster Costs","slug":"Dumpster-Costs"}],"content":"The annual slow season for waste hauling and disposal companies offers a great opportunity for consumers and businesses looking to finish renovation projects, cleanouts, construction, demolition projects, and more.
\r\n\r\nThe late-fall and winter months are generally a slower time of year for dumpster rental companies. This is particularly true in northern parts of the country when the weather makes it more difficult to complete major projects.
\r\n\r\nAreas of the country with moderate climates year-round don’t always have these annual slow downs, although this may vary by city and geographic location.
\r\n\r\nWe'll discuss why, depending on where you live, renting a dumpster in the winter months may be a great way to make the most of your project.
\r\n\r\n![\"Benefits](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/benefits-renting-dumpster-winter-info_0.jpg\")
\r\nThere are several key benefits to renting a dumpster for a project during the off-season:
\r\n\r\nWith more time spent indoors, winter is a great time to tackle renovation or remodeling projects. Other indoor projects include: basement/attic cleanouts, painting, installing new flooring, replacing appliances or furniture, and other interior adjustments to make your living arrangements more comfortable and customized to your lifestyle.
\r\n\r\nIf the weather is poor outside, you can still get things done inside! But you'll need a large, reliable disposal solution on-hand to take care of any debris or junk you'll have to throw out as a result. That's why renting a dumpster is the perfect solution for DIY cleanouts, moving homes or offices, renovation projects, and more.
\r\n\r\nPlan out the project well in advance in order to ensure its success. Proper planning reduces the risk of delays with the project itself and with the cleanup.
\r\n\r\nWe suggest calling several dumpster rental companies for quotes at least a week in advance of when you'd like to begin your project to ensure you find a reputable service provider with the availability you need.
\r\n\r\nWhen contacting different service providers, we recommend that you get in touch with at least 2-3 different companies for quotes. This not only ensures you'll secure services when you need them, but it'll also allow you to get a good feel for the level of customer service you'll receive, compare costs, and ultimately choose the best team for your project.
\r\n\r\nHometown makes it easy to request multiple quotes to dumpster rental companies that service your area. When you fill out our single quote request form, you can send your project info to multiple companies at once, eliminating the need to fill out separate contact forms for each company you get in touch with.
\r\n\r\nKeep reading:
\r\n\r\nWeather can influence delivery of a dumpster or influence a junk removal pickup. This can be tough to avoid, although it’s a good idea to not schedule a dumpster drop off when a blizzard or ice storm is in the forecast near or on the projected service date. Your best bet is to keep in touch with your waste hauler prior to the service day to know in advance if the weather is likely to cause any delays.
\r\n\r\nAlso, be sure to prep the site for dumpster delivery by ensuring there is access to the area you'd like your dumpster placed. This may include moving other vehicles out of the driveway, shoveling deep snow, clearing the drop-off site of debris, etc. Keep the area around the dumpster salted during snowy and icy conditions to ensure your safety.
\r\n\r\nFinally, cover the dumpster with a tarp during heavy snow and rain storms to minimize the risk of exceeding your dumpster weight allowance. Not doing so could add a significant amount of weight to the debris inside the dumpster and could wind up costing you in overage fees should you exceed the weight allowance.
\r\n\r\nLearn more:
\r\n\r\nThere are several key advantages to renting a dumpster during the autumn-winter seasons. Find out why the slowest time of year for dumpster rental companies is typically the best time for renting a roll-off dumpster.
\r\n","changed":"2023-10-20T07:06:11+00:00"},{"id":"a4601285-44cd-5035-a7d4-2dac49f16da9","title":"New Year, New You! Easy Ways to Downsize Your Life and Start Off on the Right Foot","url":"/blog/easy-ways-to-downsize-your-life","image":{"path":"/static/e5d3f3f12557d5c9a99a8011fed2eef0/new-year-declutter.png","alt":"Woman organizing items into separate boxes"},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"61ca817b-0498-5abf-bbe7-cdf5935242bc","name":"Junk Removal","slug":"Junk-Removal"},{"id":"02a42cee-60f9-5dfd-858c-22ec36b1ce1e","name":"Dumpster Rental","slug":"Dumpster-Rental"},{"id":"c6d09b3c-4685-5ba7-83fd-d69df65bae55","name":"Declutter","slug":"Declutter"}],"content":"The New Year provides the perfect opportunity to tackle an area of your life that needs improvement.
\r\n\r\nFor many, this means finally decluttering their living space, getting rid of unwanted items taking up valuable space, and regaining organizational control of their home.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDecluttering doesn't have to be a difficult, overwhelming, or intimidating task to keep putting off; that will only allow more items to pile up and continue the negative cycle.
\r\n
Hometown has compiled our biggest tips for tackling the New Year head on and getting decluttered and organize.
\r\n\r\nJumping into a deep decluttering project without a plan can do more harm than good.
\r\n\r\nWhen we find ourselves overwhelmed, it's easy to give up and walk away, leaving the clutter to be dealt with another day.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPacing yourself and mapping out a plan of attack will give yourself the best chance to succeed.
\r\n
Rather than trying to get everything done within a day or a single weekend, consider how much free time you actually have to offer this project.
\r\n\r\nWork on only one room at a time so that all other areas of the home are still functional because—spoiler alert—things are probably going to look worse before they start to look better.
\r\n\r\nDecluttering involves going through every belonging in a room and determining what will stay, what will be donated or tossed in the trash, and then finding the most efficient way to organize the items you plan on keeping.
\r\n\r\nThis process can be time consuming and will temporarily make the area look messier than before you started, but you have to trust the process.
\r\n\r\nDecide which rooms will take the most amount of time and start there. Spend a few hours a day tackling that room until things are organized and the room is complete.
\r\n\r\nIt's okay to take a break between rooms to reward yourself for your hard work, but don't make the mistake of walking away for too long and losing your momentum.
\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest mistakes people make when decluttering is to be indecisive about what to do with items and decide to box them up and stuff them in a closet somewhere.
\r\n\r\nYou should restrict your storage space to only being used for items that you actually need and use often, and boxed items should be reserved for seasonal or sentimental items.
\r\n\r\nWhen you are going through your belongings and deciding what to do with them, limit yourself to placing these items into one of four piles:
\r\n\r\nItems you plan on donating should be in clean, working condition and can be placed in boxes or bags for easy transport.
\r\n\r\nYou can drop these items off at local donation centers, like Goodwill, or you can place an ad on Facebook Marketplace as free items for porch pickup.
\r\n\r\nItems that can be thrown away should be bagged and tossed into your trash.
\r\n\r\nIf you have a bulk amount of trash to get rid of, or large, bulky items that won't fit into your trash, consider renting a temporary dumpster.
\r\n\r\nAnother option that simplifies donating or throwing away unwanted items is to hire a junk removal company. They'll haul away your unwanted junk and donate the items in good condition and take the trash to a local landfill or recycling center when applicable.
\r\n\r\nFor the items that you plan on selling, make sure they're clean and take a variety of well-lit photos from a couple different angles.
\r\n\r\nList these items on an online marketplace, like Facebook, Craigslist, or Depop, and be sure to include a detailed description to give yourself the best chance of attracting the right buyer.
\r\n\r\nThe items that you plan on keeping should be dusted or wiped down before ultimately being put away in an organized fashion.
\r\n\r\nWe recommend organizing the items you plan on keeping after you get rid of the items you plan on selling/donating/throwing away.
\r\n\r\nIt's much easier to organize in a room with less clutter, so save this part for last.
\r\n\r\nRead more:
\r\n\r\n![\"Person](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/new-year-scan.png\")
\r\nA new modern way to hang onto sentimental items in a storage-friendly way is to digitalize documents, photos, videos, and memorabilia when you can.
\r\n\r\nBoxes of paperwork, photos, or handwritten notes from high school can ultimately take up a lot of space.
\r\n\r\nEliminate the need to find a home for these boxes by taking photos or scanning them into a hard drive or Google Drive so that you can get rid of these old documents.
\r\n\r\nDigitalizing sentimental or important documents is also a great way to protect them from theft, fire/water damage, or from being lost.
\r\n\r\nWhen you find yourself overwhelmed with the amount of stuff to get rid of, hiring help will streamline the disposal aspect of your project so that you can focus on organizing and cleaning.
\r\n\r\nHaving to haul boxes, bags, and old furniture is a physically draining and time consuming project in and of itself.
\r\n\r\nJunk removal services are designed to help you unload unwanted items in the fastest, most convenient way possible.
\r\n\r\nThey will either come into your home and haul away your items from wherever they're placed, or you can pile up your items on the porch or in the driveway for completely contactless pickup.
\r\n\r\nEither way, these services are very fast and their convenience cannot be understated.
\r\n\r\nFor those that have large, ongoing projects and want to do a little more physical labor in order to save on costs, renting a dumpster is a great solution.
\r\n\r\nDumpster rental services are affordable, easy to schedule, and provide the perfect solution for larger cleanup projects.
\r\n\r\nThe New Year provides the perfect opportunity to tackle an area of your life that needs improvement and for many, this means finally decluttering their living space and regaining control of their home. Follow these simple steps to decluttering your home to start the new year off right.
\r\n","changed":"2023-01-10T14:31:50+00:00"},{"id":"cd08be08-8dbc-5cfa-be0e-a365d16b10e2","title":"Complete Home Cleanout Checklist","url":"/blog/complete-home-cleanout-checklist","image":{"path":"/static/2b14ba8ddcfea2fd21815cddfcd0bc03/messy-house.jpg","alt":"Couple cleaning up messy living room"},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"7ce68dc2-095e-5221-a253-7b8b847933db","name":"House Cleanout","slug":"House-Cleanout"},{"id":"61ca817b-0498-5abf-bbe7-cdf5935242bc","name":"Junk Removal","slug":"Junk-Removal"},{"id":"02a42cee-60f9-5dfd-858c-22ec36b1ce1e","name":"Dumpster Rental","slug":"Dumpster-Rental"}],"content":"Cleaning out the junk and clutter from your home isn't something that has to be saved for the spring; any time is a good time to regain control and refresh your living space.
\r\n\r\nThe idea of cleaning out out a home or property top to bottom can be overwhelming to even think about, let alone follow through with. That's why we've put together this complete home cleanout checklist to help you organize an easy-to-follow strategy for guaranteed results. Our home cleanout guide will break down every part of the home and the most efficient methods to ensure a successful home cleanout.
\r\n\r\n![\"Complete](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/home-cleanout-checklist-infographic_1.jpg\")
\r\nThe first thing you should do when tackling a whole home cleanout is to map out a plan of attack.
\r\n\r\nFirst determine what your goal for this cleanout is. Are you in charge of an estate or eviction cleanout and need to get rid of every single item throughout the entire house? Are you preparing to move and want to get rid of as much as possible before packing up your belongings? Has it been years since you've gone through your home and decluttered items you rarely use? Knowing what your goal is and the type/amount of items you'd like to get rid of will help you plan for how you'll dispose of these items.
\r\n\r\nThe next thing you should do is create a schedule. Do you have a deadline that this project needs to be done by, or can you take your time and work on it whenever is convenient? Are you someone who likes to dedicate a whole week/weekend to see a project to its completion, or do you like to work in sections and tackle one area at a time with breaks in between? Having a rough idea of what you want your project schedule to look like will help you create a plan, which is critical for a successful home cleanout. If you have a hard time deciding where to start, create a map of your home and label each room with a rating of 1-5: 1 being the easiest to clean and 5 being the most difficult to clean.
\r\n\r\nBasements and attics used for storage of things that have piled up over the years are great contenders for a 5 rating, while smaller rooms that are used and organized often, like bathrooms, will be easier to clean out and can get a lower rating of 1. Create a list and order your rooms based on their difficulty level to help you decide which rooms to start with and which rooms to end with. You can either decide to tackle the most difficult rooms first and save the easy rooms for last, or vice versa. Whatever you find most motivating is the path you should take.
\r\n\r\nBefore you get started, you'll want to have a way to dispose of or organize the items you're removing. Do you plan on throwing everything away? Will you be donating or trying to sell some valuable or gently used items? Unless you plan on throwing everything out, you'll want to make sure you have boxes or bags to organize your items that can be donated or sold so that they aren't mistakenly mixed in with all the junk you plan on trashing.
\r\n\r\nUnorganized kitchen tools, expired pantry items, mismatched or chipped dishes, and messy cabinets can make a kitchen look and feel like a stressful, cluttered mess. Even the dirtiest kitchen cleanout can be completed with minimal stress and relative ease if a plan is established before you begin. The first thing you should do is determine what you want to get rid of. Are you getting rid of everything in the kitchen, or just the junk you no longer use? Maybe you're moving and you want to keep the basics and get rid of all the food. Whatever your goal is, establish it before diving in.
\r\n\r\nIf you're handling an estate cleanout, eviction, or are moving out, start by going through all cabinets and drawers and create three separate piles: one pile of items to keep, one to donate, and one to throw away. If you aren't moving and are just doing a basic kitchen cleanout, you can keep the items you're not getting rid of in the drawers and cabinets for now, but remove any items that can be donated, sold, or thrown away and place them into respective piles.
\r\n\r\nIf you need to get rid of one or more kitchen appliances, consider hiring a junk removal company to do the heavy lifting for you. In addition to appliances, they can also remove your bags or boxes of unwanted items throughout the house, allowing you to get rid of all your junk in one fell swoop. One step further, junk removal companies can even help with the aftermath of a kitchen remodel and any interior demolition that happens as a result. They can haul away any debris you have in addition to any appliances and furniture you need hauled away as well. Find local interior demolition contractors to help with your kitchen remodel by searching on Hometown Demolition.
\r\n\r\nOnce you've removed all the items you no longer want to keep, it's time to clean and organize the remaining items. If the kitchen is completely cleared of all items, cleaning should be generally straight forward, and we recommend working from top to bottom.
\r\n\r\nStart by dusting any fans or light fixtures and cabinets anchored on the top half of the kitchen. Then, clean bottom cabinets, drawers, or other storage areas. For your drawers and cabinets with food and items still in them, and the refrigerator, remove the items to clean the area they're stored in, and then be sure to place them back in their respective \"home\" in a neat and orderly fashion.
\r\n\r\nFrom there, you can clean the insides of your kitchen appliances, like microwaves, refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers if necessary. Once all the interiors of your kitchen have been cleaned, clean all the remaining surfaces in your kitchen, like the countertops, outsides of your appliances, and the floors.
\r\n\r\nIf you're taking breaks between the different areas of your home, you should find a disposal solution for your piles of garbage and junk right away so that you aren't living amongst the piles. Items that can be donated can be dropped off at Goodwill or The Salvation Army during business hours. Garbage can be placed in your trash bin, unless there is a very large amount of items to throw out. If it won't all fit in your garbage bin, you should consider renting a dumpster and tackling the rest of your home as soon as possible. Dumpster rentals are an affordable and efficient way to manage a home cleanout project and can take the stress out of figuring out the disposal aspect of your project.
\r\n\r\nCleaning out your living room can be handled in the same way that a kitchen cleanout is approached, but it will likely take you less time. Living rooms aren't typically rooms we use for storage and instead tend to be a less cluttered living space in comparison to kitchens, basements, and bedrooms. That said, if you have a large, old entertainment center with hundreds of DVDs, games, or other items, you'll certainly want to take the time to go through and organize these items and get rid of things that are no longer used.
\r\n\r\nOld furniture or technology can sometimes be sold, donated, or given away for free, but may need to be hauled away to a landfill if they are too worn to be salvaged. In this case, a dumpster rental or junk removal company is your best solution. Even if you have a truck that can haul it to the landfill yourself, you'll likely need to make several trips by the time you're done cleaning out your entire home. Some cities allow you to place large furniture items at the end of your driveway for pickup, but you have to pay for this service ahead of time and make arrangements with your trash pickup provider to avoid being fined.
\r\n\r\nLearn more:
\r\n\r\nAs with every other room in your home, the first step to cleaning out a bedroom is to determine what your goals are and what needs to go. If it's been a while since you've cleaned out your bedroom (or your children's), there may be items stored in the back of closets or dressers from years ago. A good place to start in a bedroom is the closets. Not only are the closets where most of our clutter and unused items are stored, but once your closet is emptied and reorganized, you'll likely find that you have space to store the items that were previously shoved underneath the bed or scattered on top of dressers.
\r\n\r\nIf you store all of your clothes in your bedroom, consider separating your wardrobe based on seasons. If it's currently a warmer season and you have winter coats, jackets, and shoes taking up valuable space in your closet, consider boxing up your winter wardrobe and storing it elsewhere to make your closet more manageable and functional. Doing this will automatically require that you go through your closet twice a year to swap out your wardrobe, conveniently making it a bi-annual habit of sorting through your bedroom storage and helping you keep your closet under control.
\r\n\r\nWhen you're struggling with deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, consider when the last time it was that you used or wore the item in question. If it's been 6+ months, it's probably safe to donate or throw away.
\r\n\r\nBathrooms should be relatively easy to clean out as they tend to be smaller and the storage in bathrooms tends to be for items that we use regularly, if not daily. Take the same approach as you did with your kitchen cleanout and start with the top of the bathroom and work your way down to lower cabinets, drawers, and storage areas.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf you're someone who enjoys accumulating cosmetics and has a hard time getting rid of these items and storage of these items has now become an issue, you should start your bathroom cleanout with these items.
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Many cosmetics have expiration dates, so be sure to check for dates on your makeup. Most makeup products shouldn't be kept for longer than 6-12 months. Keep in mind that toiletries or cosmetics of any kind should never be donated unless they are completely unused and unopened, so if you have half-used products that you'd like to get rid of, be sure to throw away the product and recycle the containers when possible.
\r\n\r\nFor the average homeowner, the attic is the least visited part of their house, making it an ideal breeding ground for dust or an undiagnosed mold or vermin infestation. This is why you should wear protective gear when sorting through your piled up boxes in the attic. An attic cleanout, more than any other space in the house, should be an area that you tackle with a partner. There are risks associated with climbing up and down attic stairs or a ladder, combined with the poor ventilation and heat risks of working in an attic.
\r\n\r\nWhen cleaning out an attic, the best strategy and is to start by either removing all items or moving all items to one end of the space so that you can go in and do some deep cleaning before working in the area. Sweep, dust, and vacuum the attic top to bottom before sorting through everything that is stored in there.
\r\n\r\nEven if you only use your attic for storage and don't plan on getting rid of anything, it's still important to periodically go through the items that are kept in there to ensure that there is no water or pest damage to the items you're storing in there. It's common for people to store family heirlooms or photographs in their basement or attic, and since these items are sentimental, you want to check on them often to ensure they're still in good shape.
\r\n\r\nIf you're removing everything from the attic, consider hiring a professional junk removal company to eliminate the risk of injury. Navigating ladders or attic stairs can be dangerous on its own, let alone with the added obstacle of removing and hauling boxes and other heavy items. Hiring a junk removal crew to clear our your attic will cut down the time it takes you to complete your project significantly.
\r\n\r\nCleaning out your basement will follow the same strategy as all other rooms: establishing a plan, sorting through the area in sections, and separating items into piles to keep, donate, and trash. Working on a large area, like a basement, in sections will help you stay on track and will make it less likely for you to get overwhelmed throughout the process.
\r\n\r\nIf your basement is unfinished, dusty, and full of cobwebs, we recommend taking the same approach as you would for an attic cleanout by being prepared with protective gear like gloves, boots, and masks for protection. If you have to remove everything and haul it up one or more flights of stairs, consider hiring a junk removal crew, or at the very least, recruiting help of your own. If you want to avoid handling this dirty job altogether, basement cleanout companies can assist you.
\r\n\r\nWhen reorganizing your belongings, keep like items together for easy access. For example, keep holiday decorations in one central location, family keepsakes in another, etc.
\r\n\r\nRead on:
\r\n\r\n![\"Messy](\"/sites/default/files/inline-images/messy-garage.jpg\")
\r\nWhile accessing a garage typically doesn't require walking up and down flights of stairs, a similar approach should be taken to a garage cleanout as you would a basement cleanout. Garages can be a host for bugs and other pests and should be sorted through carefully. It's also common for garages to store different types of flammable or otherwise dangerous chemicals, like gasoline, fertilizers, oil, lighter fluid, paint, and other car fluids. It's also not uncommon for sharp or rusty metal to be found in garages, like nails, tools, and other metal surfaces.
\r\n\r\nUse caution and protection when sorting through your garage, but utilize the same strategies that you use throughout the rest of your home but removing items you no longer want or need, and then cleaning and organizing the remaining items, being sure to keep like items in the same area. You can organize your garage to have a section for lawn care items, an area for tools and equipment, and area for car items, and an area for toys and other leisure activities. If you want to avoid handling your dirty garage cleanout, garage cleanout services are a great option.
\r\n\r\nA well-landscaped home can be worth 5.5-13% or more than a comparable home without landscaping, so when you take on a full home cleanout, don't overlook your yard. The first step to cleaning up your yard is to have a disposal plan in place. Most yard waste like grass clippings, twigs, and weeds can be composted. If you don't have a place to compost your yard waste and have a lot of it, consider renting a dumpster or hiring a junk removal company to haul away your collected yard waste for you.
\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to cleaning up your yard, start by collecting and bagging any litter that has blown into your yard. If you have lawn equipment, furniture, or toys, put them in their proper place. Next, you can scan the yard for any twigs, sticks, and branches and either bag them up or place them in a bucket that you can later use as kindling later. While you're scanning the yard for sticks, also keep your eyes peeled for any rocks or stones that are large enough to disrupt the mowing process.
\r\n\r\nFrom there, you should start weeding, either by hand or with the aid of a weed killer if the issue is widespread across your yard. Once the yard is cleaned up, spruce up your shrubs, bushes, and trees by trimming them when needed and giving them a nice shape. After all aspects of your yard have been manicured, top it off by mowing your yard and then using a leaf blower to clear off the driveway, sidewalk, and patio from any debris.
\r\n\r\nProfessional yard waste removal services are a great resource for people who would like assistance with the entire yard cleanup or simply a pile of yard waste debris. Although, in some cases, a yard waste dumpster rental that is loaded strictly with yard waste and no other junk is another great option if you don't mind loading the debris yourself and saving money to do so.
\r\n\r\nContinue reading:
\r\n\r\nThere are two options to consider when cleaning out a house: renting a dumpster and hiring a junk removal service If you're someone who wants to clean out their home but you struggle to find the time or motivation to get it done, hiring a professional house cleanout company to assist you could be the perfect solution. If you're someone that likes to cut costs, then a temporary dumpster rental may be the option you prefer.
\r\n\r\nIf you plan on going the DIY route rather than hiring a full-service junk removal company, hauling it all to the landfill yourself may not be a feasible or desirable option, let alone the most cost- and time-effective. Renting a dumpster is arguably the best way to manage all the garbage your home cleanout will produce. This is especially true when you know you'll need to get rid of large or bulky items like old appliances, electronics, light fixtures, furniture, etc.
\r\n\r\nThe convenience of having a dumpster on hand compared to having to haul individual truckloads to your local landfill yourself will have a significant impact on the time it takes you to complete your home cleanout project. For perspective, a 20 yard dumpster holds around 10-12 pickup truck loads' worth of items, not to mention you won't have to wait in line for potentially hours for your chance at damaging your vehicle or popping a tire at the landfill.
\r\n\r\nIf you'd rather have more help, junk removal services are the way to go. Experienced junk removal companies that offer home cleanout services have the ability to empty out a large home full of unwanted items, donate salvageable items to local charities, recycle items that are accepted in recycling projects, and dispose of the rest - all in a time-efficient manner.
\r\n\r\nJunk removal companies have the equipment and manpower to remove heavy items up and down flights of stairs and make it easy to get rid of all your unwanted junk so you can focus on cleaning and reorganizing the items you plan on keeping.
\r\n\r\nRegardless of which service you decide will work best for your project, you'll likely get the best price and the best service by working with a locally-owned and operated company. Hometown makes it easy to find local junk removal and dumpster rental companies that service your zip code. You can fill out our single quote request form to send to up to 3 local service providers in your area so that you can receive multiple quotes to compare pricing, availability, and customer service.
\r\n\r\nLearn more:
\r\n\r\nCleaning out an entire home can be overwhelming to think about. Read our home cleanout checklist to help you organize an easy-to-follow strategy for guaranteed results.
\r\n","changed":"2023-03-31T16:15:22+00:00"},{"id":"318e987b-1704-592c-87c1-a7efb91916a0","title":"How Big of a Dumpster Do I Need for Carpet?","url":"/blog/how-big-of-a-dumpster-do-i-need-for-carpet","image":{"path":"/static/bb22aaf6466fb92b436ec1eef9275abc/carpet-rolls.png","alt":"pile of rolls of old carpet"},"video":null,"media_type":"image","tags":[{"id":"e814d78d-e3c3-5606-bb65-731daf3cd048","name":"Dumpster Sizes","slug":"Dumpster-Sizes"},{"id":"452ceba2-add3-5353-9ce8-638ceada914a","name":"Carpet Removal","slug":"Carpet-Removal"},{"id":"898783be-e2ba-59cc-815b-c8f17640f8d0","name":"Floor Removal","slug":"Floor-Removal"},{"id":"02a42cee-60f9-5dfd-858c-22ec36b1ce1e","name":"Dumpster Rental","slug":"Dumpster-Rental"}],"content":"Getting rid of old carpet in your home or business?
\r\n\r\nReplacing old carpet with water-resistant laminate or beautiful hardwood increases the beauty and overall value of your home or business.
\r\n\r\nRemoving carpet is a relatively simple DIY project, but you'll also be responsible for disposing of that carpet.
\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nRenting a temporary roll-off dumpster is typically the best solution for carpet disposal.
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If you are only disposing of carpet from a single room, or less than 7 cubic yards (189 square feet) of carpeting, then junk removal services may be a more cost-effective option.
\r\n\r\nA 10 or 20 yard dumpster rental costs $250-$550 on average and can accommodate a relatively large carpet removal project.
\r\n\r\nHiring a junk removal company to remove a single room's worth of carpet can quickly end up costing $200-$400 in some cases.
\r\n\r\nOn the rare chance your carpet is still salvageable, a local charity or Habitat for Humanity ReStore may accept it for donation, so reach out to them first to see if they accept the carpet you're getting rid of.
\r\n\r\nIf you have more than a single room's worth of carpet to get rid of, the specific amount of carpet you're removing will dictate the dumpster size that's best for your project.
\r\n\r\nFor example, removing an entire home's worth of carpet—or an entire corporate office's worth—will require a larger dumpster than a project that only involves replacing the carpet in a single room, like the basement or main living room.
\r\n\r\nWith average dimensions of 12 feet long by 8 feet wide, most 10 yard dumpsters can easily hold standard-width carpet rolls without issue. However, cutting your carpet into more manageable pieces will make it easier to handle and carry your carpet out of the building and into the dumpster.
\r\n\r\nHere's a closer look at how much carpet can fit in the most popular dumpster sizes to give you a better idea of which container size is right for your carpet removal project...
\r\n\r\n10 yard containers are ideal for 1,000-2,000 sq ft of carpeting or less.
\r\n\r\nAverage Dimensions: 12 ft L x 8 ft W x 3.5 ft H
\r\n\r\nAverage Weight Limit: 2-3 tons (4,000-6,000 lbs)
\r\n\r\n20 yard containers are perfect for holding 2,000-4,000 sq ft of carpet.
\r\n\r\nAverage Dimensions: 22 ft L x 8 ft W x 4 ft H
\r\n\r\nAverage Weight Limit: 3-5 tons (6,000-10,000 lbs)
\r\n\r\n30 yard containers are the best choice when you have 3,000-6,000 sq ft of carpeting or less.
\r\n\r\nAverage Dimensions: 22 ft L x 8 ft W x 6 ft H
\r\n\r\nAverage Weight Limit: 4-6 tons (8,000-12,000 lbs)
\r\n\r\n40 yarders are best for very large carpet removal projects that involve removing 4,000-8,000 square feet of carpeting or less.
\r\n\r\nAverage Dimensions: 22 ft L x 8 ft W x 8 ft H
\r\n\r\nAverage Weight Limit: 6-8 tons (12,000-16,000 lbs)
\r\n\r\nRead on:
\r\n\r\nRemoving carpet is a relatively simple DIY project, but you'll also be responsible for disposing of that carpet. Renting a temporary roll-off dumpster is typically the best solution for carpet disposal, but there are other options available. Learn about the best way(s) to dispose of carpet, average costs, and more.
\r\n","changed":"2022-08-09T19:05:36+00:00"}],"populars":[{"state":"Arizona","place":"Tucson, AZ","code":"junk-removal","code_name":"Junk Removal","url":"arizona/junk-removal-tucson-az","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"},{"state":"Arizona","place":"Tucson, AZ","code":"commercial-waste-management","code_name":"Commercial Waste Management","url":"arizona/commercial-waste-management-tucson-az","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"},{"state":"Arizona","place":"Phoenix, AZ","code":"commercial-waste-management","code_name":"Commercial Waste Management","url":"arizona/commercial-waste-management-phoenix-az","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"},{"state":"Arizona","place":"Phoenix, AZ","code":"dumpster-rental","code_name":"Dumpster Rental","url":"Arizona/Phoenix-AZ-dumpsters.html","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"},{"state":"Arizona","place":"Tucson, AZ","code":"dumpster-rental","code_name":"Dumpster Rental","url":"Arizona/tucson-dumpster-rental.html","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"},{"state":"Arizona","place":"Phoenix, AZ","code":"junk-removal","code_name":"Junk Removal","url":"Arizona/junk-removal/phoenix-az.html","hub":true,"hubs":true,"type":"Hub01"}],"tips":[{"name":"Dumpsters for Rent","body":"Very large, national companies like Waste Management are more expensive than smaller, local companies. We compared Waste Management's dumpster prices to locally operated companies in 48 metro areas and found WM was over $100 more expensive, on average. There are a lot of brokers in the dumpster business. Some are reputable, but many are not. Brokers are an out-of-state middleman that books the dumpster at a higher rate than the local going rate, takes a cut, and passes the order on to a local hauler for the delivery and pickup. They aren't local and don't actually own any dumpsters, though some pretend as if they do. Worse, some claim to be 'budget' dumpster companies that have lower prices, which is almost always false. Contacting a locally-owned and operated hauler directly is how to get the best price on dumpster rental.
\r\n\r\nLearn more: Dumpster Rental 101: How to Rent a Dumpster
\r\nRead more: The Ultimate Guide to Dumpster Sizes
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