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Moving House? Use a Dumpster to Declutter.

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A bunch of moving boxes are stacked inside and outside a moving van in front of a home that failed to use dumpsters to declutter before moving.

Moving makes the top 10 list of the most stressful life events. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, it’s right up there with the death of a loved one, divorce, and job loss1.

The thought of packing up an entire household, transporting it to a new location, and then unpacking it all is overwhelming for most people. Using a dumpster to declutter your home before moving day can help alleviate some of the stress.

Taking the time to sort through your belongings and dispose of unnecessary items simplifies your move, saves time, and creates a fresh start in your new place.

Use the practical tips in this blog to maximize the benefits of a dumpster to declutter to make your transition as smooth and efficient as possible.

Why decluttering is essential before a move

Moving to a new home is a major life event that comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities.

Decluttering before a move is more than a practical step. It’s a transformative process that makes transitioning to your new space smoother, more efficient, and emotionally rewarding. By reducing the physical and psychological burdens of moving, you set yourself up for a more positive relocation experience.

Here’s why.

  1. It reduces the amount of stuff to pack, move, and unpack
    One of the most obvious (and immediate) benefits of decluttering before a move is the reduction in volume of items you must handle. Take a systemic approach to sorting your belongings, donating and discarding the items you no longer need. Dumpsters declutter your home faster and more efficiently by giving you a convenient place to dispose of unwanted items.

    Fewer items to pack mean fewer boxes, less packing materials, and a shorter time spent loading and unloading. It

  2. It saves time and effort during moving
    Every item you decide to keep requires packing, transporting, and unpacking in your new location. Decluttering beforehand streamlines the entire moving process. Packing fewer items is quicker and means less trips between your old and new place. If you’re moving a significant distance away, fewer boxes can mean the difference between needing one moving truck or two.

  3. It creates a fresh start in your new home
    Moving is an opportunity for a fresh start that leaves unwanted clutter behind. Bringing only the items you need, love, and use regularly to your new space allows you to set up your new home with intention and purpose.

    Starting in your new space with a clean slate removes the stress and frustration of dealing with items you didn’t want before and resent dragging along for the ride. Your new home should reflect your lifestyle and aspirations, not serve as a storage space for outdated or unused items.

  4. It reduces stress and anxiety
    Clutter increases stress and anxiety2. The sight of piles of unused or unwanted items can overwhelm you and cause a mental burden. Decluttering before your move reduces this source of stress by creating a more organized and simplified moving process. You can focus on the excitement of your new place instead of feeling bogged down by chaos and disorder.
A KEI dumpster rental service truck drops off two red KEI dumpsters in front of a home.

The benefits of using dumpsters to declutter

Humans accumulate a lot of stuff. How much stuff, exactly?

Well, household moves outside the U.S. weigh between 2,500 pounds and 7,500 pounds3. An entire industry – self-storage – has emerged to handle the overflow that no longer fits inside our homes and garages.

If looking around at all that stuff makes you feel like you’re about to have a full-blown panic attack, it’s time to consider a dumpster to declutter before the big move.

Dumpsters make decluttering more efficient by providing a central and convenient location to toss unwanted items as you pack up each room in your home for the move. Always donate items that are in good condition and only toss out things no one else might find useful.

Speaking of packing, with less clutter overwhelming your space, the process becomes more manageable. You can save yourself significant money by eliminating unneeded items instead of paying extra to move them to your new location.

A graphic that lists the four dumpster sizes you can rent from KEI. Dumpsters declutter your home before a big move when you choose the right size to get the job done.

Choosing the right size dumpsters to declutter your home

What could be more convenient than having a dumpster – or two – in your driveway to efficiently clear your home of unwanted items? Short of magical elves that pack up and transport your stuff for you, not much.

However, the key to using dumpsters to lessen your burden during a move is to choose the correct size for the job.

You don’t want to run out of space or overpay by choosing a larger size than you need. Here are some tips for right-sizing your roll-off dumpster.

  • Take a walk-through of your home. Estimate the amount of debris and unwanted items you plan to discard before your move. Consider any larger items like appliances and furniture. Pro tip: furniture can be broken down by removing legs and other accessories to minimize the amount of space it takes up in a dumpster.
  • Measure the available space. Depending on where you live, you may have limited space for accommodating a dumpster rental. If you have more debris than space to house an adequate-sized dumpster, you can request fill-and-replace service with a local dumpster rental company to use a smaller dumpster to get the job done.
  • Consider dumpster dimensions. A 10-yard dumpster typically works for a one-bedroom apartment or small single-family home. Larger homes with multiple rooms and occupants may be better served with a 20-yard dumpster.
  • Rent for the right duration. Most dumpster rental companies typically provide a dumpster for 7 to 10 days as part of the standard rental agreement. If you need a more flexible rental period, talk with the company to make other arrangements.

Not sure what size or type of dumpster you need for your big move? Don’t hesitate to consult with the dumpster rental company. Experienced professionals can provide insights based on your specific needs and the type of materials you plan to discard.

Dumpsters declutter your mind and your home

Moving to a new home doesn’t have to be your worst nightmare. Dumpsters declutter your old space so you can get a fresh start in your new location.

By having a convenient place to toss unusable items at your doorstep, you can streamline the entire process and eliminate the need for multiple trips to the local dump (or hoping your weekly trash pickup will accommodate your extra discards).

Say goodbye to the stress of moving unwanted items and hello to a roll-off dumpster rental to make moving day a breeze. Give KEI a call today to schedule the right-sized dumpster for your move.

Sources

  1. The social readjustment rating scale. sciencedirect.com. Accessed June 4, 2024.
  2. Speaking of Psychology: Why clutter stresses us out…  apa.org. Accessed June 4, 2024.
  3. America’s Clutter Problem. time.com. Accessed June 4, 2024.

Using Dumpsters to Declutter Your Home

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A bunch of old furniture and other household items sits in the yard in front of a home waiting for a KEI dumpster rental to dispose of the items.

Living in a cluttered and disorganized home can take a significant toll on your mental and physical well-being. Constantly navigating through piles of clutter can cause unnecessary anxiety and stress. It makes it challenging to find what you need while creating safety hazards. However, knowing where to start with a cleanout can feel overwhelming.

Using dumpsters to declutter your home can make the task less daunting. Including them in your plans to rid yourself of unwanted items not suitable for reuse or donation is a good first step toward ridding yourself of the mess.

Once you have a roll-off dumpster on site, you can systematically go through each room of your home to sort and dispose of unwanted items.

Our latest blog helps you take control of your living space to create a more inviting and functional home.

Why decluttering your home is important

Decluttering your home is a transformative process. It enhances the physical appearance of your living space while improving your peace of mind.

Dusting around countless nicknacks and other items can slow down routine maintenance on your home. Once you sort and remove some of those items, you’ll spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying life.

Let’s not forget that excessive clutter creates tripping hazards, blocks exit routes, and increases the risk of fires.

A garage full of knick knacks collecting dust.

Health risks of a cluttered home

Clutter collects dust, mold, and other indoor allergens that can cause respiratory issues1, even in otherwise healthy people. For those allergic to dust mites, pet dander, or pollen, all that dust traps their worst allergens and triggers sneezing, wheezing, and itchy eyes.

Using dumpsters to declutter your home makes it easier to eliminate the allergens2 associated with poor indoor air quality.

Beyond the physical symptoms living in a cluttered home can cause, there are also documented effects3 on your mental health. Clutter leads to depression and mood disorders, and can increase insomnia in people already prone to sleeplessness.

How to know when it’s time to declutter

It’s easy to accumulate more items than you need. Some people are in denial that they have more things than they could ever possibly use. Others may know but lack the resources or motivation necessary to begin decluttering.

People who are blissfully unaware of how their clutter affects them and everyone trapped living in the situation with them may need to pay closer attention to signals that it’s time to take organization more seriously.

Surefire signs it’s time to consider using dumpsters to declutter your home:

  • You waste countless hours searching for items you know you have but can’t find in the mess.
  • You feel overwhelmed by the amount of clutter but powerless to do anything about it.
  • You store unused or broken items for years because you can’t bear to part with them.
  • You have multiple versions of the same item and keep buying more.
  • You have run out of storage space in your home because you can’t part with any unused items.
  • You form emotional attachments to items that have no practical purpose.

Paying close attention to these signs is the key to creating a more functional, organized, and stress-free home.

A screenshot of a post on X from WPXI TV reporter Jennifer Borrasso about a hoarding situation in a local home. Dumpsters were brought in to help declutter.

When clutter becomes a problem

When junk of all shapes and sizes invades every corner of your home, it might be time to admit that clutter has become a real problem.

Hoarding disorder4 drives some people to create cramped living conditions because they have difficulty parting with possessions. Hoarders can experience genuine distress at the thought of decluttering their homes of these precious items they feel obligated to protect.

People suffering from hoarding disorder may not recognize there’s a problem. It can be up to family and friends – even neighbors5 – to encourage them to seek professional help and begin the decluttering process.

Working with a dumpster rental company to accommodate decluttering in a hoarding situation can expedite the cleanout process by providing a safe and convenient way to dispose of bulky, unwanted items.

Not all items can go in dumpsters during decluttering. As a guideline, you should avoid putting the following materials in a roll-off dumpster rental:

  • Batteries
  • E-waste items (computers, monitors, printers)
  • Freon-containing appliances (air conditioners, freezers, refrigerators)
  • Gasoline, oil, and other liquids
  • Hazardous waste
  • Paints
  • Televisions
  • Tires

If you have hazardous items such as these, consult with the dumpster rental service provider to get suggestions on how to safely dispose of them.

Tips for decluttering every room

One of the easiest ways to tackle a decluttering project is to conduct a room-by-room inspection. Inventory the items in each room. Then, make a list of the things you want to keep, the things you want to donate, and the things you want to dispose of in your rental dumpster.

Kitchen Decluttering

Kitchen decluttering should focus on cupboards and the refrigerator. Starting with the fridge, check the expiration date on all unused food items. If you have leftovers stored that you no longer recognize (or have visible signs of degradation), toss them immediately. Make sure you understand the difference between sell-by and use-by dates to avoid throwing out food that’s still safe to consume6.

Move to the cupboards next, where you should check expiration dates on non-perishable items. Then, evaluate drawers and other storage spaces to remove items that don’t logically belong in the kitchen. Consider donating old pots, pans, and dishes you no longer use but are still in good condition.

Living Room Decluttering

Living rooms have a way of accumulating a lot of junk. Old magazines and newspapers, junk mail, and DVDs and CDs you no longer use. Donate what is appropriate for reuse – second-hand stores love DVDs and CDs in good condition – and dispose of the rest in your dumpster rental.

If you have broken furniture, it should be broken down and tossed into the dumpster. Any furniture you rarely use is ideal for donating to a shelter, free store, or second-hand store.

A woman wearing a white shirt and blue pants sorts through her clothes in the closet to decide what to keep and what to discard or donate.

Bedroom Decluttering

If your go-to method for removing junk from your site is to shove it under your bed, you’re not alone. The out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality is strong among most people. However, those items can collect dust and other indoor allergens, making getting a restful night’s sleep impossible.

Maybe you have so many clothes that you can no longer hang them all up or fold them all neatly into dresser drawers, so they’re tossed on the closet floor or other bedroom furniture.

To tackle this situation, sort through closets and donate or discard clothes and shoes you no longer wear. This includes decluttering under the bed.

Bathroom Decluttering

Do you have a collection of half-used toiletries in your bathroom? Start by combining like products into one bottle and recycling or disposing of the empty ones. Check makeup supplies and toss out ones that are more than a few months old.

One of the most effective ways to prevent overbuying toiletries is by investing in some organizers and shelving that allows you to clearly see what you have and what you need to replenish.

Never toss unused or expired medications into the trash or down the toilet. Some medications can end up in the water supply if not disposed of properly7.

Home Office Decluttering

Organize your paperwork into filing cabinets or other storage containers by type and date. You can also consider scanning and storing the documents digitally and then shredding the paper copies to save space.

If you have old printers, computers, and other office equipment sitting around, dispose of them properly. Most dumpster rentals for decluttering can accommodate some of this equipment. E-waste like computers, laptops, and cell phones must be disposed of another way.

Basement and Garage Decluttering

Inventory your tools and create used and unused piles. Any tools that are broken can go in the dumpster. If they are unused but still work, consider donating them.

Any old or broken furniture, sporting goods items, and other junk you’ve accumulated over the years can go in the dumpster as well.

A KEI truck delivers two red roll-off dumpsters to a home in a neighborhood.

Get dumpsters for decluttering

Organizing your living space doesn’t have to stress you out when you rely on dumpsters for decluttering. They’re a convenient way to dispose of bulky items and save you the time and effort of making several trips to the local dump yourself.

Having a roll-off dumpster rental on your property serves as a visual reminder to finish your organization project before the rental period expires.

If you’re ready to get started on your home cleanout project, give KEI a call to arrange for the right-sized dumpster delivery to your home. We serve residential and commercial customers in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Mercer, and Venango counties.

Sources

  1. How Clutter Can Affect Your Health. webmd.com. Accessed May 8, 2024.
  2. Indoor Allergens. aaaai.org. Accessed May 8, 2024.
  3. The Connection Between Cleanliness and Mental Health. verywellmind.com. Accessed May 8, 2024.
  4. Hoarding Disorder. mayoclinic.org. Accessed May 8, 2024.
  5. Severe hoarding situation has neighbors concerned, frustrated in Plum. wpxi.com. Accessed May 8, 2024.
  6. Food Product Dating. fsis.usda.gov. Accessed May 8, 2024.
  7. Unused Medicine Disposal. pastop.org. Accessed May 8, 2024.