A majority of Americans would likely be willing to admit they have too much stuff. All of us can picture the closet that never gets opened or the room no one asks about bursting at the seams with random items you don’t even realize you own anymore.

Before you know it, you’re cramming things in new places and the clutter starts to take a toll on your mental health. But don’t let it get to that point.

You can rid unwanted items with help from a junk removal service and it will be easier than you think.

Parting with items you own can be draining, especially when you don’t want everything to end up in a trash bin or landfill. Donating, recycling and repurposing is a responsible way to discard items and feel good about the purge. But how do you know what’s for the trash and what is actually a treasure for someone else?

Read on with some of our practical tips to help you decide what’s trash and what’s treasure, before giving us a call to haul it all away.

To Trash or Donate? That’s the Question

Donations are a phenomenal way to give back to those in your community who may need a helping hand, as well as keep unnecessary trash out of our landfills. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to decide which category each belonging falls into. That’s why we’ve outlined some factors to consider, as well as next steps once the sorting is done!

Factors to consider for donation:

Cleanliness: Items with major stains, rips, tears, chips, etc. may need to be tossed if they can’t be properly restored. Items with small imperfections may be okay and would be at the discretion of the donation center.

Safety: Broken items that can’t be fixed or pose a hazard should be considered trash. For example, items with broken sharp corners or rusty nails are usually destined for the junk pile.

Utility: Specialty items from your home may or may not be appropriate for donation. For example, you may have a working VCR stored up in the attic, but because they’ve become obsolete, it’s probably not a great donation.

Where to donate: We can also help guide you where to donate your items. For example, Habitat for Humanity may be a better location for larger furniture, while clothes and smaller items could go to a local thrift store.

One of the final factors to consider is also need. Many nonprofits indicate a struggle to obtain donations like toiletries, bedsheets, and small furniture items. Clothing is also a major donation need, so finally cleaning out that closet could provide a huge impact to someone who is struggling.

Now What?

Now that your items have been successfully sorted into trash or treasures, it’s time for true junk removal. Seems simple, right? Just load everything up in a truck or a trailer and take it to your local dump!

Not exactly. Responsible junk removal is incredibly important for the safety of both people in your community and the environment. Certain items need to be disposed of according to specific protocols to prevent any safety risks.

For example, paint or household cleaners should be taken to a hazardous waste collection site. Thankfully, our skilled junk removal experts are prepared to help you navigate these nuances so you can rest easy that your junk is going to the right place.

So How Much Does this Cost?

Like any home project, every client’s needs and budget are going to vary. In other words, someone with a basement full of junk versus a small bedroom are probably going to see pricing differences. Additionally, specialty items may incur an additional fee for proper disposal. That’s why it’s important to reach out and request your customized quote.

Junk Removal Helps at Every Level

No matter the size of the space and number of items, Mitten Junk Removal in Howell has got you covered, there isn’t much we don’t haul away. With a plan and the help of our professional team, your junk removal project can go from overwhelming to efficient.

At the same time, you can feel good that you’re helping your local community by donating the items that no longer serve you and your family. Finally, you’re ensuring your own safety (and maybe even wallet!) by letting our experienced junk removal service handle how and where the items are going to. Give us a call when you’re ready to get started!