The garage becomes a storage area for most homeowners, but it’s no longer a car parking spot; you’ll find it cluttered with broken patio furniture, partially emptied paint cans, unopened boxes from moving days, and dusty winter decorations. In fact, a survey by the U.S Department of Energy revealed that 25% of respondents with a two-car garage have no cars to park in it. But reclaiming your space from a heap of clutter doesn’t require weekends dedicated to this job. With a plan and an understanding of when to enlist help, you can clear the garage space in no time.

The Right Time for a Garage Cleanout

The best time for a Philly garage cleanup is in early spring or late autumn, neither the worst of the winter cold nor the sweltering humidity. It is also wise to plan around the City’s bi-monthly bulk trash collection. The Philadelphia Streets Department only accepts two large items per week; construction debris, electronic waste, and hazardous materials will not be accepted from the curb. Have an old television set, tires, paint, and a dead water heater for more than a decade in your garage? City rules will quickly spoil a weekend’s cleanout plan.

DIY Garage Cleanout vs Professional Garage Cleanout

The DIY approach seems cheaper up front, but truck rentals, dump fees, and permits really do chip away at the “all in” price that a professional provides. The “on time” also becomes important; a single person’s cleanup might take up to two weekends, whereas a professional’s cleanup is completed the same afternoon. The effort factor also varies immensely. You might be lifting every single box and sifting through Philly’s rules on how to dispose of items properly, or you might just be directing workers as to what to haul. 

Ultimately, this is the major differentiator: the DIY approach leaves people stalled at “maybe” with hazardous materials left, while the professional’s cleanout ensures the space is completely clear and tidy.

Garage Cleanout Process Professionals Follow

When you hire a team, it is designed to be quick. After a brief on-site walk-through to identify heavy objects, hazards, and items to donate, the items will be taken out and piled in an area of the driveway. There, the items will be divided into Keep, Donate, Recycle, and Trash; loaded into the truck; the floor swept; and the load hauled away on a single trip. The average garage row house in Philly should be clear and the floor clean in just under three hours.

Benefits of Hiring a Garage Cleanout Company

While muscles are important, disposal know-how is really where the money is. Waste management companies not only understand that Philly does not take electronics or construction materials at curbside, but they also know used tires must go to an EPA-licensed transporter. They take usable furniture and appliances in good condition to local donation centers, thus keeping them out of landfills, which the EPA Sustainable Materials Management program labels as the best method of household waste disposal. Renting a dumpster is out, almost impossible in most city neighborhoods (narrow streets, permits, no driveways), and full-service is that simple.

Garage Cleanout Tips for Faster Results

Whether working alone or with a crew of helpers, a few savvy tactics transform a jumbled mess into contained areas. 

• Begin with the large things. Bulky, difficult items like an old cabinet, a mattress, or a rusting grill will set the pace for everything else in the garage. 
• Get them out on the driveway first, and the rest will feel instantly less overwhelming. 
• Try working in time segments and zones. For example, take one corner of the garage or one storage shelf at a time, and use a timer. That way, you can’t stray too far from the plan. 
• The “maybe” pile is the greatest drain on your time and mental energy. If you haven’t used it in a year and it doesn’t have sentimental value, let it go.

Label every storage container with a permanent marker as you put them back on the clear floor. Anything labeled “misc.” boxes don’t do you much good when compared to the mess you just got rid of. Mark your calendar for a seasonal cleanout right now, you’ll keep your garage from turning into chaos again if you spend half an hour tidying in October and April.

Take Back the Garage Today

When your garage is no longer just your parking spot, it’s your workshop, home gym, or just a haven where one area of your house is truly under control, 1-877-DUMP-A-JUNK offers garage cleanout services that help clear it out if the job is too big for you alone. In the Philadelphia area and surrounding metro region, we offer same-day garage cleanouts and can clear your space before you know it. Give us a call and get your car fit back in your garage by tonight.