Updated November 25, 2024
The holiday season is all about enjoying time with family and friends, and oftentimes, it involves hosting. Hosting people in your home or at your business comes with the responsibility of making your guests feel comfortable and at ease. It's hard to feel comfortable and at ease when you're in someone else's cluttered or unkept home.
Because of this, preparing for the holidays often means decluttering and sprucing up your home or business. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to create a cozy space for family and friends or a business owner preparing for the seasonal rush and employee celebrations, professional junk removal services can help you stay organized, free of clutter, and focused on what truly matters—celebrating the holidays with your loved ones.
This comprehensive guide will help you determine when junk removal is the right choice and other tips for streamlining the cleanup and holiday preparation process.
Jump to:
- Decluttering for the Holidays
- Benefits of Junk Removal for the Holidays
- When to Rent a Dumpster Rental for the Holidays
- Holiday Cleanup Checklist
- Tips for Streamlining Your Holiday Cleanup
- How to Find the Best Hauler Near You
Find junk removal near me
Decluttering for the Holidays
While most people complete a decluttering project at some point throughout the year, more than 44% of Americans report decluttering their homes to prepare for the holiday season.
This typically includes clearing out areas like the kitchen, closets, living spaces, guest rooms, and the basement. Since these are the most-used areas of the home during the holidays, most people want them to be clear of clutter, organized, and welcoming for their guests.
The most commonly removed items during a holiday cleanup project include:
- Expired food
- Old clothing
- Broken furniture
- Unused holiday decorations
- Paper clutter
- Old beauty products
- Wrapping supplies
- Broken toys or electronics
On average, decluttering can take several days to a few weeks to complete, depending on the size of the home and the intensity of the holiday cleanup, so the sooner you start, the better.
Breaking the task into smaller steps over a longer period of time is a great way to reduce stress during an already busy and stressful season. Looking for an easy-to-follow checklist for your holiday cleanup? Jump ahead to see our easy, printable guide.
Benefits of Junk Removal for the Holidays
On average, Americans purge hundreds of pounds of material annually, with the holiday season accounting for a large portion due to pre-holiday decluttering and post-holiday disposal of packaging and unneeded gifts. Streamline the process and keep more items out of the landfills with professional junk removal services this holiday season.
Professional junk removal services can simplify the holiday cleaning process, offering a hassle-free solution for managing unwanted items and decluttering efficiently so you can stress less and save time.
Eco-Friendly Disposal
Instead of dumping everything into landfills, most junk removal companies sort through what they collect to find items that can be recycled, donated, or reused. They often give usable items to local charities or take materials to recycling centers, which helps cut down on waste, saves resources, and reduces pollution. They also know how to safely handle and dispose of things like old electronics or batteries, so they don’t harm the environment.
Using a junk removal service makes decluttering easier while also being a greener, more responsible way to get rid of unwanted items. This can be especially good to know during the holiday season, when giving back and paying it forward is top of mind.
Ease and Efficiency
The holidays bring added pressure to clean and organize, often with too much to do in too little time. Junk removal services provide same-day or scheduled pickups, ensuring clutter is cleared away in no time. Professionals handle the heavy lifting, too, saving you time and effort as well as a sore back.
After the festivities, junk removal services can help you manage waste like packaging, old decorations, or even discarded Christmas trees.
Businesses can even utilize junk removal to declutter office spaces, storage rooms, or storefronts to maintain a professional appearance during the busy holiday season.
Versatility
Junk removal companies can handle a variety of items, including the ones most commonly thrown out around the holidays. Whether you're replacing your furniture and have to get rid of an old chair, broken footstool, a big heavy TV, or an oversized tattered rug, junk removal companies can remove those items safely and efficiently, while keeping them out of the landfills whenever possible.
Not only can they remove almost anything, but they also are pretty flexible from a scheduling standpoint as well. Oftentimes, junk removal companies can come out to your home or business within 24-48 hours of your initial service inquiry, provide an in-person quote, then remove the junk right then and there if you agree to the quote.
Learn more:
- The Top 10 Benefits of Professional Junk Removal Services
- Donating Furniture: Giving Back to the Community Through Responsible Removal
When to Rent a Dumpster for the Holidays
If you’re tackling a large-scale cleanup, like a full attic or basement cleanout, or a renovation project to prepare for the holidays, a dumpster rental might be the more cost-effective choice. Dumpsters provide the flexibility to load at your pace and handle bulkier or ongoing waste removal for a lower cost.
What to Consider Before Renting a Dumpster
- Space Requirements: You’ll need room for the dumpster. If you have a very tight driveway or several cars, or if you live in a townhouse or high rise, you'll want to keep this in mind. If a dumpster needs to be placed in the public right of way, you almost always need a dumpster rental permit, regardless of the city or state.
- Duration: Ideal for extended projects where junk accumulates over days or weeks.
- DIY Convenience: Allows you to declutter at your own pace.
To decide between junk removal and dumpster rental, consider the scale of your cleanup, timeline, and budget. If you need immediate, professional help with a small to moderate amount of clutter, junk removal is a great way to go. For ongoing or large projects, a dumpster rental will typically cost less than junk removal and will be more convenient.
Read more:
- The Process of Obtaining a Dumpster Rental Permit
- Do Dumpsters Placed on the Driveway Require a Permit?
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Holiday Cleanup Checklist
Having a list to work from when tackling a large decluttering project like preparing for the holidays can take some of the decision fatigue out of the process, making it go by faster and easier.
Print off our Holiday Cleanup Checklist to reference while preparing your home.
Entryway
- Tidy up any clutter near the door.
- Assign a spot for guests' coats, boots, and shoes.
- Clean scuffs and marks off walls with a damp cloth.
- Use glass cleaner to remove fingerprints from windows and doors.
- Shovel the front walk if needed.
Living Areas
- Tidy up any clutter.
- Return misplaced items to their proper places (or place them in a basket to sort later if short on time).
- Vacuum, sweep, or mop the floors.
- Spot-clean stains on carpets or furniture.
- Dust or wipe down surfaces with a microfiber cloth.
- Fluff pillows, arrange cushions, and neatly fold throw blankets.
Kitchen
- Clear dirty dishes from the sink and clean the basin.
- Clean out refrigerator and cabinets of expired food.
- Declutter cabinets and surfaces.
- Wipe down cabinets and countertops.
- Wipe down kitchen appliances.
- Sweep or vacuum the floor.
- Replace kitchen hand towels.
Bathroom
- Tidy up the vanity by removing clutter and personal items.
- Clean mirrors to remove streaks and spots.
- Wipe down the sink and countertops.
- Place fresh hand towels in the bathroom.
- Sweep or mop the floor.
- Scrub the toilet bowl quickly with a brush.
- Refill the soap dispenser and stock extra toiletries.
Final Touches
Once you've finished, create a cozy atmosphere by lighting a candle, playing music, and setting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature. These little extras will help set a festive mood and ensure your home feels clean and welcoming for your guests.
Tips for Streamlining Your Holiday Cleanup
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead makes getting rid of junk during the holidays so much easier. When you take the time to sort through things before the busy season starts, you can clear out clutter without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. It also gives you a chance to make room for decorations, guests, and new gifts without feeling like you're scrambling at the last minute. Plus, a clutter-free space creates a calmer, more festive environment, helping you relax and enjoy the holidays with family and friends.
Getting an idea of how much you need to get rid of also helps make it easier to decide whether junk removal, dumpster rental, or your regular curbside trash is the best option for decluttering and cleaning the house for guests, while giving you enough time to get it done.
Set Priorities
Setting priorities is a great way to tackle cleaning, especially when you're getting ready to host for the holidays. It helps you focus on the most important areas, like the high-traffic spaces guests will actually see, like the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and guest rooms.
By knowing what to clean first, you can save time and energy instead of trying to do everything at once. Plus, it ensures your home looks tidy and welcoming, even if you don’t have time to get to every little detail.
Take Advantage of Eco-Friendly Options
Tis the season of giving back, and there's no easier way than by getting rid of usable items you no longer want with junk removal services. If you want to keep your unwanted clutter out of the landfills, hiring a junk removal to handle it is the easiest way to go.
They make it easy by donating as much as possible to local charities, helping others in need. If items can't be donated, they are recycled, and if they can't be recycled, they are only then taken to the landfill. Choosing eco-friendly options like junk removal is an easy way to enjoy a cleaner home while doing something positive for the community and the planet.
Book Early
Holiday seasons can be busy for junk removal companies. Booking in advance ensures you get your preferred date and time, even during one of their busiest times of year. The earlier you book, the better your chances of avoiding scrambling at the last minute.
Getting it done early also gives you more time to focus on decorating, hosting, and enjoying the season without worrying about clutter. It ensures your home is clean and organized well before guests arrive, making the holidays less stressful and more enjoyable.
Keep reading: Streamlining the Season: How Junk Removal Simplifies Holiday Living
How to Find the Best Waste Hauler Near You
Hometown is the easiest and best way to find reliable local junk removal services. With just a few clicks, you can connect with top-rated professionals in your area who specialize in hauling away unwanted items quickly and efficiently.
Whether you’re decluttering for the holidays and need junk removal or you're tackling a big cleanup and need to rent a dumpster, Hometown makes the process simple by providing a trusted network of experienced local companies.
Forget the hassle of searching endlessly online—Hometown saves you time and effort by helping you find the right service to get the job done right.
Read on: How to Compare Quotes and Hire the Right Junk Removal Company