Spring is just around the corner, making it an excellent time to start spring cleaning! Before you begin pulling out your cleaning supplies, it is a good idea to go room by room removing items you no longer have use for. This kind of junk removal can help to free up space and declutter your home. Listed below are some tips shared by LifeHack.org to help you get rid of your junk before starting in on your spring cleaning checklist this year.
- Recycle Electronics: Did you find an old DVD player, a drawer full of batteries, a broken laptop, or even a fax machine while spring cleaning? A lot of people make the mistake of throwing their old electronics in the trash, but not only is this wasteful, but 17 states have actually placed a ban on throwing away electronics in landfills. It’s not that they want you to keep your old computer monitor forever, but many o these gadgets contain hazardous materials that can seep into groundwater.
Instead of harming the environment with toxic chemicals, take your old gear to a local electronics recycling center. Finding a place to recycle electronics is actually pretty easy, so there’s no excuse for shoving your broken hard drives and computers into a black trash bag and throwing them out at night. Some options you have are:
- Sell Things on eBay: Why not make some money with your old junk? I’ve been a seller on eBay for years (Top Rated Seller status!) and it’s a pretty good way to make money by selling things you don’t use or need. Electronics (working and broken ones), clothes, nick-knacks, old dishware, toys, and even the weird stuff you keep locked in a closet for nobody to find can all be sold on eBay.
With eBay, you can sell 50 items via free listings every month, and with their new system for calculating fees, it’s pretty easy to figure out exactly how much money you can make from each sale. Here’s a pretty handy eBay fee calculator that I use to get an idea of how much I’ll make from each sale. You may even find that you have enough junk to start up an eBay store as a side business. Here’s a video that shows exactly how the things that you would think are useless can actually make money on eBay.
- Repurpose: Waste not, want not. For the resourceful readers out there, you may be able to salvage and repurpose some of the items you come across while cleaning. The great thing about repurposing is that it’s fun and resourceful. DIY projects are extremely popular right now, and I’m always shocked at how creative the designers on HGTV get when they upcycle old wood, furniture, or other items just laying around. Etsy is filled with items that have been repurposed.
You can look at Pinterest or this list to get ideas on how to repurpose some common items you have around the house.
- Donate: An oldie but a goody: donating your clothes, old toys, or other items you don’t use frees up some space for you and helps someone in need. There are plenty of non-profit organizations that will not only accept your donations, but some will even come and pick them up from your house to save you a trip. Browse the Salvation Army website to find a location near you to donate.
You may also have seen donation boxes around your town. The ones where I live are usually in shopping centers, but you can find them all over. Another option you have is to donate to a local thrift store: when thrift stores resell donated items, they donate a portion of the money to charities. Some donations are even tax deductible, so be sure to get receipts for donations if you plan on claiming them on your tax return.
- Use It: There is no law stating that you have to get rid of the old things you find when spring cleaning. We tend to associate a great spring clean-out with throwing things away, but I’ve definitely had an occasion or two where I found old things that I forgot about but could still use.
When cleaning, I suggest making a pile of the stuff that you think you might use. Just keep those items separate from everything you know you’re going to get rid of. Once you’re done cleaning, go through all of the items you set aside and keep anything you will use. The reason I recommend doing it this way is because you might find that after you’re done cleaning, you have a new use for old things. For example, you might have come across some old shelving that you were considering throwing out. After cleaning, you might need them for books, decorations, or pictures.
Only keep items that you will have an immediate need for, however. Immediate need means that you will use it within a couple weeks, otherwise you’ll end up keeping it in the closet until the next time you clean.
- Throw it away: Anything from tip #5 that you won’t have an immediate need for can be thrown away, assuming you’re not going to do anything else with it. There are certain items that you won’t have any use for at all and don’t have any value. For instance, those old shoes that have been completely worn out. Some people think that ripped and shredded clothes and shoes can be donated, but most charitable organizations do not accept broken, ripped, and well… crappy items.
If you know that the item is completely unusable and is able to be disposed of safely, throw it away.
Junk It Mobile Dumpsters Can Help You Get Rid of Your Junk
The benefits of decluttering you space can be huge. From lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol, to no longer feeling overwhelmed when family members want to stop by, the benefits are endless. Our team will work with you to ensure you are able to get all of the trash in your cluttered space out for good.
Dumpster Rental Discounts in Houston TX
The team at Junk It Mobile Dumpsters is dedicated to keeping our rates lower than the other dumpster rental companies in the area. We understand how overwhelming it can be to try to dispose of a large portion of trash all at once, this is why we work to keep our dumpsters accessible with our competitive rates and friendly customer service. From small clean-ups to major construction and remodeling projects, our dumpsters can help you keep your space clean and clear.
Do you have dumpster rental questions? Give us a call! We can help you select the right size dumpster for your clean-up needs and answer any questions you may have about the services we provide.
Junk it Mobile Dumpsters
281-436-9177
9914 2nd St,
Houston, TX 77034
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