Top 10 Solutions to Making Old Junk Disappear
Having to stare at a bunch of old junk that you’re done having around the house can be not only stressful but invasive.
From the broken elliptical serving as a clothing rack to the treadmill that died but is too heavy to haul away, getting rid of old junk can be just as daunting as acquiring them.
So what do you do now with all this stuff that’s just collecting dust and space?
Follow along for the 10 best tips and tricks from time-tested experts to help you make disappear all of the belongings you no longer want.
How to make my unwanted belongings disappear?
- Sell on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, LetGo, Poshmark.
- Donate to Goodwill, Value Village, Habitat for Humanity or a local thrift store.
- Find out if anyone in the family or friends wants it.
- Give it to someone other than your network.
- Find a new use for old items.
- Recycle and help save the planet.
- Trash it.
- Hire a professional junk hauling company.
- Organize your space.
- Who should you hire for junk removal?
Here is the good news, there are plenty of ways to dispose of old unwanted belongings without having to throw it away in the trash which could very well end up in a landfill and cause potential damage to the environment.
It’s also going to be faster and more efficient than going out on a mission to dump it where it doesn’t belong.
So sit back and relax and let’s look at some ways to properly dispose of old appliances, furniture, etc.
On your mark, get ready? Go!
Sell on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist, LetGo, Poshmark
In the past, most people would flock to only Craigslist when they were thinking of selling used items online. And while Craigslist is a great option, there are a slew of other online mediums or smartphone applications that you can use to sell old junk.
Facebook Marketplace is actually a fantastic place to sell those household items you no longer want. You can sell just about anything there, from clothes to cars, shoes to video games. They also have a review system which encourages buyers to conduct themselves in an ethical business manner.
Next there’s OfferUp which has merged with LetGo. They also have a review system which helps you decide who you would like to do business with. And they allow users to create notifications for items they may be looking for. That means that the moment you list your items you may receive inquiries right away!
You’re going to want to take the best pictures you possibly can. Luckily most smartphones today can take great pictures. If you’re selling furniture, make sure to take a picture that not only shows the whole item but highlights small imperfections that may have occurred through time.
People tend to like transparency and besides it could save you time by not having someone reject your item once they come by to buy it. If there’s two identical or similar items that are around the same price and your picture is better, you’ll probably get the sale.
You could also try selling on Poshmark. Poshmark identifies itself as “a marketplace for fashion, accessories, new personal care products, select home goods, and select pet items.” So that means all those clothes that no longer fit or are no longer your style could be sold there. It’s another great option at your disposal so it may be worth your time to check it out.
Donate to Goodwill, Value Village, Habitat for Humanity or a local thrift store
When you don’t have the time to sell your old junk or you don’t want to be bothered with it, another great solution is to donate your clothes, furniture or tools to a charity or non profit organization. Some charities will even come to your house to pick it up.
You could start by calling organizations like Value Village, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity or The Salvation Army. They usually will accept furniture that is undamaged, sports accessories, exercise equipment, appliances, electronics, books and even clothes.
Donating reusable clothing not only helps the environment but more importantly it helps someone who may need it.
Many of these charities also have drop boxes scattered throughout the city where all you have to do is drop and go. To find these locations you can call your local charity or look for the information on the organizations website.
Sometimes there are times where you have to give away a very good couch or working appliance. You can be rest assured a local charity will be happy to take it.
Find out if anyone in the family or friends wants it
Using up your weekend time to find potential buyers or people to give your old furniture to can be a long process. The last thing you want is to schedule an appointment with someone and they don’t show up. When yard sales seem too complicated, that’s the time to offer your things to your network.
Your network is more likely to trust you therefore minimizing any delays that could happen when dealing with strangers. One method is to send out an email blast or a social media post with all the things you’re looking to give away.
You may even get the added benefit of a referral. Someone you know may know someone else who needs your mattress with matching furniture.
Not only will you finally declutter your home, you’ll get to catch up with loved ones you might not have spoken to for a while. This tactic is sure to help you in your junk removal quest.
Give it to someone other than your network
A lot of college students that are new in town or don’t have a lot of disposable income will be more than happy to take your couch or household appliances for free. You can spread the word by posting flyers on campus or on cork boards in local cafes.
Lots of people will see your note and could tell their friends about a free washer and dryer or dining table.
If those methods don’t work you can also notify your coworkers, gym friends and neighbors.
The app Nextdoor and local Facebook Groups is another great local outlet to let people know that you’re in the market to give your old furniture away.
Find a new use for old items
Old t-shirts can be turned into cleaning rags or you could let your artistic side come out and find ways to get crafty. Old furniture can be refinished to look like brand new modern furniture.
There’s tons of tutorials online that can show you how. Usually you start by removing all the handles then sanding the furniture, then priming, painting and finally adding the modern touch with updated fixtures.
Don’t worry if you don’t think you’re the creative type. Youtube is a phenomenal way to learn about almost anything. You could take an old futon mattress and turn it into a pet bed and then dissemble the wooden frame for trash pick up. You’ll find that your creativity is the only limitation.
Once you tap into your imagination your possibilities become limitless.
Recycle it and save the planet
Usually your local transfer facility will accept items for free if they are at least 50% metal. That means an old lawnmower could cost you nothing to get rid of it. Just remember to empty out the fluids.
Also cardboard, styrofoam, concrete and un-pressure treated wood can be recycled along with yard debris such as grass, soil or chopped down trees.
Recycling may require you to do it yourself but many times it’s also the legal responsibility. For instance, PC’s, TV’s and refrigerators must be recycled. Refrigerators and AC units contain freon and must be properly disposed of.
Monitors, tv’s or electronics contain e-waste toxic chemicals that must also be handled properly.
Still unsure what to do with your junk? The EPA website is a great resource to discover ways to get rid of your junk. You can also visit your local municipalities website and they usually have a list of companies where you can go recycle.
Most recycling companies won’t pick up mattresses or couches so you would probably have to haul away those items to your local dump.
If you don’t have a truck or know someone who can help you to go to the local sorting facility, you’ll probably have to rent a truck, buy insurance and fill the gas. This could take up a significant portion of your day.
Trash it
For bulky items you can’t haul away to the dump, you’ll have to contact your local waste management company to schedule a pick up and be sure to check the prices.
There may be restrictions on the size of what they will take so be sure to call. On top of that it may take several days or weeks before you can schedule a junk removal pick up.
Depending on how fast you want it gone, hauling it away yourself may be the best option.
When arriving at the local transfer station you may be required to show proof of residency. Sorting facilities do this to ensure only residents of that county are dumping and not people from other counties.
The prices fluctuate from county to county. As of today, King county in WA charges a minimum of $25 for anything under 300 pounds and $150 for a ton.
If saving money is the biggest priority, doing it yourself will definitely be the best solution. Don’t be fooled by junk removal companies. Doing it yourself is the most economical way of disposing of your junk.
If you don’t have the time or resources to do it yourself, we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry and will gladly assist you.
Hire a professional junk hauling company
Hire us! Trailer Trash Junk Removal is always ready to help.
When you book with us, we will safely and responsibly dispose of all your unwanted belongings.
Whether you need to move out quick, or your reorganizing the house, you risk being injured if you do the heavy lifting yourself.
When we show up all you’ll have to do is point to what you would like to have removed.
We also make the estimation process easy and quick. Simply text a picture of what you would like to have removed and we’ll respond with a quote.
Ready to book your next Junk Removal Service?
Change of Heart?
Sometimes when the time comes to get rid of old junk you’ll get the nostalgic feeling of not wanting to let go. That’s usually when you’ll discover a new use for your old item.
So it’s good to go through the elimination process piece-by-piece so as to not have any regrets later on.
Organize your space
Finally you’ve reclaimed your garage.
Going forward you’ll want to make sure to not repeat the same process by over cluttering your home. Being organized is not only more efficient, it gives you peace of mind.
A good tip is the next time you go shopping start being conscious about what you really need versus what you want. If you don’t need it, you probably shouldn’t buy it. When you do decide to purchase something new, it may be wise to get rid of what will be replaced before you purchase the new item.
By doing this you’ll be another step closer to decluttering your space.
Who should you hire for junk removal?
So what are you waiting for?!
Looking back at all the solutions, if you need something gone and you don’t have the time to find takers, give us a call.
We’re a reputable company with tons of reviews and love to help the community.
Don’t risk pulling your back lifting something, it isn’t worth it. Save that energy so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy doing.
When looking for a junk removal service, we lead the way in customer satisfaction.
PROFESSIONAL:
You can rest assured that we will show up at your home ready for the junk removal service in a clean neat appearance. Proper human etiquette is something we hold in high regards and you will be met with the utmost respect.
PUNCTUAL:
We understand your time is valuable. Approximately 30 minutes prior to arriving for your junk removal service we will contact you to ensure punctuality. Sometimes we’ll follow up sooner and we’ll always communicate beforehand.
QUALITY:
Junk Removal can be a dirty job. Sometimes, a mess can lead to a bigger mess due to the nature of removing debris. We work cleanly and responsibly to protect the surroundings of your home. Once we’ve safely loaded the truck we’ll make sure everything is swept, tidy and looking great again.
VALUE:
Affordable junk removal service is what we do. Don’t overpay with big hauling companies. We offer very competitive rates and strive for customer satisfaction always.