Moving safely can be a challenge even in normal times. But with COVID-19 around, moving can be an even more intimidating process! 

If you’re looking for information on moving during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more about how to move safely during these unprecedented times. 

Can You Move Your Moving Date?

If the answer to the question above is “yes,” you should absolutely consider adjusting your timeline to move in safer times. 

Given the circumstances, movers’ cancellation or rescheduling fees may be lowered or even dropped altogether (though this will vary from company to company.)

All in all, it’s important to choose the safest option for your family. This is especially important if you or other members of your household are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.

However, for many people (especially renters), move-in and move-out dates are non-negotiable. If that’s the case, it’s time to start planning ahead!

Plan Ahead

Luckily, moving services are considered essential businesses, meaning that most moving businesses or truck rental companies will remain open. That said, part of that decision is up to individual proprietors.

That’s why it’s important to call the moving company (or truck rental company, or storage company) ahead of time to make sure things are still on for your move date. It’s better to reach out sooner rather than later, as many companies have more limited business hours as of late and it may take longer to get a response. 

While you have the company on the phone, ask about any COVID-related policy changes they may have such as contactless pick-up or virtual quotes for the move. 

Packing Up

In addition to planning ahead, you can do plenty of packing in the comfort of your own COVID bubble before the moving truck arrives. 

Many people choose to pick up used cardboard boxes and other moving supplies from recycling services or old friends. But given the increased risks of contracting COVID, you’re better off buying your own materials this time around (or recycling your own old boxes.) Make sure to have enough boxes, tape, and bubble wrap handy to pack all your belongings.

Some moving companies will give you the option of having the moving crew pack up your belongings. This can be very convenient normally, but given the increased risk of disease, it’s better to pack your own things this time around. 

COVID-19 can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours. If you can, try to have all of your things packed up and sanitized a day before the movers arrive. That way, you know that you will not spread any potential viruses on to them!

You might also take advantage of a storage unit to pack over time. You can store any boxes you’ve packed there over time to keep them safe and germ-free. 

Additionally, consider getting rid of any items that you don’t want to pack up or take with you by hiring a https://www.orangecrewchicago.com/services.html.

Safety Measures

When it comes to moving during a pandemic, you can’t be too careful with your precautions. For example, make sure that you’ve sanitized any rental equipment before using it. This might include a dolly or a truck’s steering wheel. 

In addition to frequent sanitization, you should also be washing your hands thoroughly and often. When you can’t run to a sink, you can use hand sanitizer as an alternative. That said, a thorough scrubbing with soap and warm water is more effective than most sanitizers!

It’s also important to wear personal protective equipment like gloves and masks while moving. This will not only keep you safe but also keep the other people you may encounter on your journey safe. 

These same tips should apply to any movers you hire. If you’re able to, it’s a great idea to provide PPE and sanitization materials to any staff you hire to help you move. This will help keep them safe and keep your family safe. 

Finally, as you move in and/or out of a building, make sure to frequently sanitize high-touch surfaces like countertops and doorknobs. In fact, you may even consider propping doors open in order to limit the number of people who need to touch the doorknob. 

Social Distancing

As with any other pandemic activity outside your quarantine bubble, social distancing should always be taken into consideration. While you move, try to keep six feet between you and the nearest person. This can be challenging in a moving situation, but it will pay off when everyone leaves the experience happy and healthy! 

You might also consider hiring a smaller moving crew or gathering a smaller group of people to help you move. The fewer people involved in the process, the less chance of exposure to COVID-19.

Feeling Sick? Skip the Move!

If you’re feeling ill on moving day, don’t be a hero! Since moving involves lots of lifting and touching of objects, it is not safe for you to participate if you’re sick. This is especially important if you’ve hired movers or asked friends/family to help. 

In addition to keeping others safe, the process of moving is very stressful on the body. If you push yourself too hard and try to move while you’re ill, it will likely take you longer to recover than it would otherwise. 

Take the time to care for yourself and recover before participating in any moving activities. 

Moving Safely During COVID-19

Moving safely during a pandemic can seem like a tall order, but it’s not impossible to do. If you’re forced to move during a pandemic, taking these precautions can help keep everyone involved in the move healthy and safe. 

If you’re looking to simplify your moving process, contact us today to get rid of any materials you might not want to take with you to your next home!

One in every four Americans spends their entire days indoors, without going outside their homes. The rest spend at least 90% of the time indoors.

That is too much time to spend in a messy and disorganized environment. A messy house can increase your chances of getting asthma, damage your reputation, and cause other adverse effects. 

It’s high time you learn how to organize your home if you don’t like its current appearance. The process may not be easy, but the good thing is that you can seek a third party’s help.

Here are simple DIY practices to have an organized home. Read on to get helpful ideas.

Declutter the Living Room

The living room creates the first impression. It is the first place that your visitors notice whenever they come to your home. 

It is also the place where you spend most of your time when you are at home. As such, you should keep it all clean and neat for not only you but also for children and pets.

Due to its high traffic, the living area might get filled up with many unnecessary things. These things might include toys, clothes, and even kitchen appliances. Unless you declutter, your living room might always look untidy.

So, dispose of the things that you no longer use to make your living room cozier. 

Collect Your Garbage Well

The benefits of proper garbage disposal go beyond keeping your home organized. The right garbage collection and disposal practices promote your health, improve sanitation, stop pest infestation, and keep the environment safe.

But, how do you collect your garbage at home to avoid the messy look? The first step is to buy a dustbin. You can even invest in more than one waste bin if your house is large, and keep them in every corner of the house. 

Also, you should ensure that the bins are clean all through. Dirty bins can attract pests and generate bad odor. You can outsource waste disposal services if you have a busy working schedule and don’t get the time to empty the bins on your own.

Another vital waste management tip is to avoid plastics in your home and recycle some materials. A waste disposal expert should guide you on the best garbage disposal method to promote health and cleanliness in your home.

Use Cabinets in Your Kitchen

The kitchen is another critical room that you should focus on during your cleaning and organization activities. Even if the room is small, you can create more space using cabinets and shelves.

Since they are installed on the walls, kitchen cabinets can create more space in your kitchen while still adding to the house’s curb appeal. If your kitchen cabinets are small or old, find an experienced cabinet maker to help you make the right kitchen storages.

Cabinets come in many materials, which include wood, glass, and plastic. Review the available types of kitchen cabinets to choose the best for your needs. 

You may also consider the stand-alone shelves if you don’t like the idea of cabinets. The shelf should create more space, maintain neatness, and keep your kitchen more organized.

Organize the Bathroom

Like the kitchen, the bathroom can also get cluttered with toothpaste tubes, soap, shampoos, and other personal care items. Even if you don’t have children at home, the bathroom may be cluttered with things if you don’t organize it well.

You can arrange it by buying a bathroom organizer. The organizer can be a box, a shelf, or even a cabinet. It should minimize small items in your bathroom to create more space and make the cleaning process more manageable.

You can buy a linen closet for the towels and tissue holders for the tissues. Also, it would be a good idea to utilize wall space if the bathroom is small.

Keep the Compound Clean

Don’t focus too much on the house and forget about the outside environment. Your compound should be clean to improve the appearance of the entire home.

The first place to pay attention to is the garage. Usually, a garage is meant for car storage. Unfortunately, many people store everything there and turn the garage into a dumpsite. If your garage is disorganized, remove all the things in it to make your compound cleaner.

For instance, you can hang the bicycle, tricycles, and other toys on the walls. You can also create a toolbox for the car repair tools.

Besides the garage, you should keep the other parts of your compound clean. From the gate to the yard to the fence, you should confirm that everything is in excellent condition. Collect the fallen leaves, repair the fence, and, if possible, cultivate the yard.

You may hire a landscaper to help in the yard maintenance if your compound is large and disorganized.

Donate What You Don’t Use

Do you have clothes which you haven’t worn for two years? Do you have kitchen appliances you never use? The chances are high that you may never use half of those things in the future. Maybe they don’t fit anymore, or perhaps, they are out of date.

They will continue to consume space in your storage units if you don’t donate them. During your free time, remove all those things and test them. Retain what you intend to use in the future and donate the rest. 

The same case applies to toys, farming tools, and storage shelves too. If a shelf no longer fits the items, it will increase congestion since you will keep adding more shelves. 

The best home organization idea would be to buy the adjustable/flexible storage equipment or a large closet that can accommodate everything.

Start Practicing How To Organize Your Home Today!

Don’t let your house stay messy again, now that you know how to organize your home. Follow these tips to make your house cleaner, safer, and more appealing. Don’t hesitate to look for assistance whenever you experience problems in organizing a home.

Do you have a massive pile of garbage in your home? Would you like to work with reliable waste removal experts? Look no further. Orange Crew is a Chicago based firm for junk removal.

We are licensed, insured, and have been in the junk removal industry for more than a decade. Our services include commercial and residential waste removal, recycling, remodeling, and many more. Contact us today to book our services and learn more about us.

Households and businesses in the US create almost 300 million tons of trash every year. As you can see, there’s no shortage of junk in this country! Thankfully, though, we have an abundance of junk removal services to get rid of it for us too– especially in Chicago.

In fact, there are almost too many.

If you’re a business with junk to dispose of, then you need a cost-effective and reputable company for the task at hand. But with a junk removal service on every corner, it’s hard to know which would be right for the job. The last thing you want is to hire anybody unreliable who takes you for a ride.

Are you thinking about hiring junk removal services for your business and don’t know how to get started? Would you like some expert advice to help you get the best possible junk removal experience in Chicago? Well, you’re in the right place.

Keep reading for our 7 top tips for satisfying your commercial junk removal needs.

1. Check Their Reputation

These days, choosing a junk removal service in Chicago is similar to picking a restaurant to eat at. You can guarantee a better outcome by jumping on the computer and checking out their online reviews beforehand! Trust us, there’s nothing like reading honest opinions and experiences of past customers to make you feel more confident in a company’s abilities.

Comments, reviews, and testimonials can be found in a variety of places online. You could head to the company website, check out their Google reviews, visit their Facebook page, and so on. The more diligent you are and the more reviews you read, the confident you can feel in their service.

2. Think About Fees

Money isn’t everything when it comes to choosing a junk haulage service for help. After all, cheapness doesn’t translate to quality very often! Paying a higher fee to a better-quality company is usually worth it in terms of the overall experience.

Nevertheless, the cost is likely to be a factor for most business owners, so means it makes sense to check the price before enlisting a company’s services. Contact the junk removal company in question and ask for a quote for your specific job. Stick without your budget and be wary of prices that seem too good to be true (they probably are).

3. Consider Their Customer Service

Customer service is another key consideration when you’re making these inquiries. You want to work with a company that’s friendly, understanding, and willing to go out of their way to help. They should be eager to answer your questions, meet your requirements, and go about it all with a positive attitude.

Pay attention to the reviews from past customers and any interactions you have with the company via email or phone. Both outlets can provide a good idea of what it would be like to hire them before you hand over any cash.

4. Clarify Their Capabilities

Any junk removal service you hire must have the logistical capabilities for the task. In other words, they need to have enough equipment, vehicles, and man-power to clear your business’ junk from the premises.

Imagine running a commercial kitchen and having to clear out old workbenches and broken appliances (commercial ovens, refrigerators, freezers, and so on) for an upcoming renovation. One man in his van is unlikely to be able to handle the task. For speed and efficiency, you’d need a whole team of junk removal professionals, with the right tools and trucks, to remove everything.

Keep that in mind when hiring a junk removal service in Chicago. One of the best ways to ensure a smooth operation is to ensure the company has the resources to deal with your specific junk!

5. Check They’re Available

Resources aren’t everything though. A company could have all the right gear for the job, but it’s no good if they can’t swing by when your business requires their services.

Let’s say you’ve just thrown a largescale corporate event, landscaped the yard, or cleared a property of junk in readiness to flip it. You’re going to want junk removal services ASAP to clear the premises of all the unwanted waste, right?

That’s why you should always check a junk hauler’s availability before hiring them. Accessing the right equipment at the right time should mean you get the support you need.

6. Consider Their Qualifications

It’s important to consider the legal side of things too. In other words, is the Chicago junk removal service you have in mind actually certified and licensed to carry out the work?

If not (and you hire them anyway), then you leave yourself open to trouble. For one thing, they might have no idea what they’re doing! That’s bad news at the best of times, but it can be downright dangerous when you’re trying to get rid of particular types of hazardous waste (e.g. clinical).

Checking the company in question’s official documents is a simple way to attain peace of mind. You’ll know they’re a legitimate operation with all the skills, training, and legal ability to remove your junk!

7. Assess their Disposal Methods

Some junk removal companies are better than others when it comes to caring for the environment. Environmentally-friendly services will have policies in place and take concerted action to ensure they dispose of junk in eco-friendly ways.

It’s worth taking a look at their website before hiring them if this concerns you, your business, and/or the brand. There’s a good chance they’ll have detailed their disposal methods on an ‘About Page’ (or somewhere similar) in order to assuage environmentally-conscious customers like you. Give it a read, decide if their methods align with your requirements, and proceed accordingly.

Remember These Tips for Hiring a Junk Removal Service

You’d think that hiring a junk removal service in Chicago would be easy given the number of companies working in the industry. Alas, having so many options makes it hard to know which one would be best for the chosen task.

Know the struggle? Well, we hope the tips in this post will help. Keep them in mind and you should be one step closer to enjoying the best junk removal experience possible.

Do you need professional junk haulage help for your Chicago-based business? Contact us today to find out how we can be of assistance.

A garage clean out will be well worth the time and effort. Once your garage is clean and organized, you’ll be shocked by how much space you’ve gained. With everything going on in the world, having extra room is more important than ever.

To help you get started, we’ve rounded up a step-by-step guide to cleaning out your garage. Let’s get your space back.

How to Clean Out a Garage

Cleaning out a garage should always start with emptying it. Use your driveway or your lawn or remove everything from your garage. Although this may seem overwhelming, it will be well worth it.

The only way you’ll be able to purge and organize is by removing everything. Take everything out down to the last box and holiday light. Once your space is clear, you’ll have a much better idea of what you have.

You’ll be surprised at how much stuff you have. You’ll also find stuff you haven’t seen in years. Once you have everything out in the open, you’ll be well on your way to a cleaner garage.

If you need motivation, a clean garage can also boost the value of your home. Potential buyers will take note of well-organized and clean garage space. 

Create a Space for the Items You’d Like To Keep

Once everything is out of your garage, you’ll want to dedicate an area for the things you want to keep. To determine what should go in this pile, think about if you will use this item.

If you haven’t touched something in over a year, it’s time to let it go. If this is hard for you, remember that you can always circle back later and reconsider. Chances are, once something is out of your keep pile, you won’t miss it.

You want everything in your keep pile to have a purpose. Think about what you will use it for and what you will do with it if it stays. If you can’t come up with a reason, let it go.

Set Aside an Area for What You’d Like To Donate

Your next pile should be for things that are in good condition, but you no longer need. This could be things such as baby items, bikes, toys, or camping supplies. If you aren’t using them anymore or your kids have outgrown them, it’s time to let them go. 

If this is a hard step for you, consider how happy you’re making someone in need. If you don’t need it anymore, someone else could use it. Spread a little cheer and donate the things you no longer use.

If anything is in bad condition, you should put those in the trash pile. Donations should be in good shape.

Group Items You Want To Get Rid Of

The next section you’ll have should be for items you want to get rid of. These will be things that can’t be donated and you’re no longer using them.

If it’s broken, there isn’t much of a point to keep it. Broken and expired items are wasting precious garage space.

Anything you no longer need or want can be picked up by a professional junk removal crew. They will haul it all away and take care of everything. They will also further separate your items into recyclables and donations.

You can feel better knowing the items you want to get rid of aren’t getting thrown in the trash. These will get recycled whenever possible to reduce waste. They will take care of properly disposing of things like paint, batteries, and old electronics. 

How to Clean a Garage Floor

Now it’s time for a deep clean. You’ll want to clean your garage while it’s empty and you have space free. Start by sweeping or vacuuming the floor, shelves, and storage containers.

Use a mop with a floor cleaner of your choice. Wipe down any windows and surfaces. Get all the dust and cobwebs out before you put anything back in.

How to Organize a Garage by Zones

The next thing you’ll want to do is to organize your garage by zone. One zone will likely be for your car. You may also want to create a storage area, a kid’s toy zone, and a space for garden tools.

Whatever areas are important to you and your family, map out where you want to place everything. Strollers and kids’ bikes, for example, should be easy to roll out down the driveway. Holiday decorations can be in a higher storage space since you don’t use them every day.

Every Garage Clean Out Needs Organization and Storage

The next step in your garage cleanout will be getting it organized. Organize everything you’re keeping into your different zones.

Choose a well-planned variety of shelves and hooks to keep everything neat and tidy. Look at what you have left and picture where it will go. Open shelves, pegboards, and hooks will help keep everything organized.

Garage Junk Removal

After you’re done organizing, you’ll have a nice pile of stuff to get rid of. Save yourself a lot of time and headache by hiring a garage junk removal service.

After a full garage clean out, you won’t believe how much extra space you have. Your new garage will feel like you just put on an addition. If you’re ready to get your junk hauled away for good, book online here to get your garage project started.

Moving can be a stressful time, there are so many little details to take care of. But it can also be a great time to start new habits and a fresh start. 

Focusing on junk removal can bring you that new start and better mental clarity you might be looking for. Studies show that decluttering has a positive effect on our outlook on life and overall health. 

But knowing just where to start and how best to get rid of your junk can be overwhelming. So we’ve compiled a few tips to make the process as smooth as possible for you. 

1. Come up With a Solid Plan 

At first glance, home junk removal seems like too big of a task for anyone to handle on their own. Maybe even too big to handle with a team of people. 

But this project can easily be broken down into smaller tasks that make it much easier to handle. 

This is why it’s very important to create a solid plan of action before you even start going through one drawer. As you follow your plan you’ll be able to get everything done that you want in a systematic, organized way. 

There’s no one best way to declutter, you’ll have to figure out what’s going to work the best for you. 

Some key things to remember for the most success are to decide how you’ll work through your home (by type of item, by room, or by each smaller space). You’ll also want to make sure that you touch every single thing in your home. 

This ensures that nothing gets left behind and you don’t miss areas altogether. 

2. Sell the Good Stuff

One of the biggest stumbling blocks for getting rid of stuff is we don’t want to feel like we’ve wasted money. Some of us have the mindset that if you spent money on it you should keep it until it’s completely worn out or it wasn’t worth it. 

But that’s simply not the case. 

This is where selling stuff that still has value (just not for you and your specific circumstances) can help you move towards decluttering. 

It’s become such a popular option that there are countless online selling sites to choose from. You can choose the selling option that works best for you; local pick-up or available shipping, all in one batch or individually, set prices or bargaining. 

While you can sell pretty much anything online, some things just aren’t worth your time. Definitely be strategic in your choices to try to make the most money possible. 

Double-win when your sales are successful; you get rid of unwanted items and have money to purchase wanted ones! 

3. Find a Good Place to Donate

Though the practice of selling your higher-quality junk is a beneficial one, sometimes it’s just too much to take on. 

When the bug strikes to get rid of stuff, you gotta roll with it and get to work quickly. Or else, the motivation will run out, and then you’re left with all your junk taking up all of the extra space. 

So it’s good to find a good place to donate that you can always count on to take your stuff when you feel like getting rid of it. 

Everyone will have different qualifications for what makes a good donation center (ethics, charitable contributions, charged prices, etc). But one of the most important factors is its location and convince. 

When you’re working on home junk removal, you want the steps to actually get things out of your house to be as simple as possible. 

Choose a donation center that is close to home and has workable hours for your schedule. 

4. Hire Professional Services

Sometimes the very best thing you can do is hire a junk removal service to take care of everything for you. 

These junk removal companies come to your home and take everything away for you. You don’t have to figure out where it’s going or how it’s getting there. All you have to do is tell them what to take and they do the rest!

There are different levels of affordable junk removal for you to choose from based on your specific needs. 

Most homeowners will choose to make a pile prior to the junk removal team showing up. This way all they have to do is show them the pile and then their job is done. Others will need help getting bigger items physically out of the home, which is part of the service as well. 

Using a professional team is a great way to make this task much less daunting and way more manageable. 

5. Be Thorough and Complete 

The key to successful junk removal while you’re moving is to be as thorough and complete as possible in your dejunking. 

While any amount of decluttering is beneficial and will give you noticeable results, tackling several spaces will give you the biggest boost. If you’re already at the cleaning process try to push through!

Like with many jobs, decluttering can be a major mental exercise. 

Once you’re already in the mindset to go through the decision-making process of if you want to keep things or not, try to stay in it until you go through everything. 

One of the best tips for decluttering is to put your hands on every item to make sure you don’t miss anything. Packing or unpacking is the perfect time to do that since you’ll already be doing that to put your things in the boxes. 

Junk Removal for Your Home 

There are so many benefits to the junk removal process. It helps you clear out the unwanted items and leaves your home feeling lighter and brighter. 

Once you have the right plan in place and the proper tools, you can quickly move through your home and identify the things you want to get rid of. Not only that, but you’ll know the best way to do it. 

If you’re interested in having help getting rid of your junk and clearing out your home, contact us today for a quote! 

Are you tired of living with cluttered closets? How long has it been since you were able to see your attic floor?

Like death and taxes, clutter is an inevitable part of life. Over the years, we tend to collect things, and as time goes on, all of that stuff starts to pile up. Then before you know it, you’re fighting for space in your own home against your junk.

If you’re tired of living amongst clutter but aren’t sure how to start clearing out and reclaiming your home, don’t panic. We’re here to help.

Here are five must-have tips to help you make the most of your full-house junk clean out.

1. Get Your Head in the Game

Cleaning out your house may not look all that difficult on paper. Going through all of your junk and throwing everything you don’t need out may even sound fun or a little therapeutic. However, once you get started, you’ll probably quickly realize that you have way more stuff than you anticipated and that this particular task isn’t just physically taxing — it can also take an emotional toll.

So, before you start emptying closets and clearing out your attic, you should consider taking a little time to make sure that you’re in the right place both physically and mentally to take on a project of this scope.

If you’re getting ready to move or undergo some other massive life change that may make your schedule a bit more rigid, you should still consider taking a little time to sit down, make a plan, and get ready for the slog.

Once you start the process of clearing out all of your junk, make sure you set time for breaks to avoid hurting yourself or getting overwhelmed.

2. Start With a Goal

The best way to get the most out of your full-house clear out is by setting a few goals before getting started.

Your goals can include anything from the overall volume of things you would like to keep (e.g., one U-Haul’s worth). Your end-goals can also be a list of the kind of things you would like to get rid of (e.g., all of your old clothes).

Cleaning out your house can feel a bit like a nebulous task, especially once you get started. By setting a goal ahead of time, you have a finish line to work toward and a way to mark your progress, which can make the task feel a lot less daunting once you get underway.

3. Make a Plan Before You Begin

Once you have your final goal in place, you need to create a game plan that will help you get there. Unfortunately, you can’t just throw away everything in your house. Not only can dumping all your junk be bad for the environment, depending on where you live, it can also be illegal.

One of the first things you need to do when coming up with a plan is to figure out how you’re going to get rid of your junk. While you can hire a dumpster or a junk hauling service to come to take a lot of it away, there’s a good chance that a lot of your “trash” could be someone else’s treasure.

Look up local charities where you can bring old clothes, furniture, and toys, and put together a plan to host a yard sale to get a little money back from your cleanout.

Aside from how you’re going to get rid of your junk, your cleanout plan should also include a game plan of how you’re going to tackle the mess. Plan to take on the most challenging areas first, when you have the most energy and motivation. Tackling these rooms early on will make finishing up feel a lot easier.

Finally, your plan should also include guidelines for how to differentiate between what kind of stuff you want to get rid of and what you want to keep. For example, when going through your closet, get rid of anything you haven’t worn in over a year, or that’s at least two sizes too small.

4. Do the Trash First

Once you have a goal and a plan in place, it’s time to get started clearing your junk out. One of the best ways to make this task a bit easier is by getting rid of all of the actual trash first.

Before you start sifting and sorting through your junk to decide what you want to keep or sell or donate, take a little time to go through each room or area and get rid of all of the trash.

Trash includes items that are too dirty or broken to sell or donate, packaging, old magazines, or worn-out clothes or towels. Once all of the garbage is out of the house, you can start focusing on the actual sorting process.

5. Take It Room By Room

Finally, as we said before, cleaning out your house is a massive job. And, the best way to take on a big task like this is by breaking it down into smaller ones. One of the easiest ways to break down cleaning out your house is by breaking it up into a room by room job.

Pick a starting point, and finish clearing out and cleaning that room or area before moving on to the next task. By breaking your cleanout up into smaller tasks, you can help ensure that you don’t get overwhelmed and that you don’t miss anything.

How to Prepare Your Home For a Junk Clean Out

Whether you’re downsizing or you’re just tired of not being able to close your closet door, cutting back on some of that extra junk you have lying around can help.

Now that you know how to get started and make the most out of your full-house junk clean out, it’s time to get planning.

Think you might need a little extra help getting rid of all of that excess junk? We’ve got you covered. Contact us for more information about our available services or to book a pick-up today!

Are you in desperate need of removing some “junk” from your home? Do you want to learn more about how to clean out your home and gain a fresh start? If so, then you need to learn how to find the right home junk removal company.

They can help you remove large and small items that you no longer need. No more packing up your car, dropping it off at a junkyard, and coming back to make several more trips.

If you’re wondering “how can I find the best home junk removal near me?” then see below for an in-depth guide.

1. Consider the Items You Want to Remove

The one thing to know when looking at different junk removal services is that not all companies take the same items. Some of them take almost anything while others have a much more refined list of acceptable items.

For that reason, you must consider the items that you need to throw away, then find a junk removal service that accepts them.

Start by taking a notepad and a pen out and walking through your house. Separate the list room by room and write down every item that you’re interested in throwing away.

Next, reach out to a local junk removal service and ask them if they take the types of items that you have on your list.

2. Think Long and Hard About What You’re Tossing

In the end, there are three things that you can decide to do with the “junk” in your house: sell it, donate it, or throw it away.

There are very few times where one is the clear choice for every item in your house. For example, you don’t want to throw away or donate an item that you could easily sell to make a bit more cash. The profit could pay for the junk removal service you’ve hired and more.

You’ll also want to make sure that the items you’re considering tossing out aren’t of high value to someone else.

Take your list that you wrote down in step one and sit your family members down to read it aloud. Use that time for all of you to make a collective decision on what to do with each item that you have on that list.

Also, if you decide to sell an item, think of where or who you will sell it to. If you’re donating an item, look up reputable donation organizations near you.

3. Read Up on Their Equipment

Imagine the horror of paying for a junk removal service to clear out your items, then that service arriving with a truck that’s too small to fit your couch inside it. Not only are your plans delayed, but you might not get your deposit back.

That catastrophe can be avoided right away by asking each junk removal service you inquire about the equipment that they have.

Do they have a truck that can fit a 15-foot couch inside? Will all the items that you wish to throw away fit inside one truck? If not, do you have to pay for that additional truck? Do they have the manpower to properly remove your items or are they relying on you to help?

4. Quick and Efficient Service

There are two main qualities of a successful junk removal service: speed and efficiency. You will want to ask the service all that you can about their process before the day-of.

For example, are they going to stick around and help you clean up after hauling everything into the truck? If not, then you’ll want to find a junk removal service that will.

You should also ask about how long they expect the process to take once they arrive. The timeframe will depend on how many items you want to throw away, their size, the layout of your home, where the items are located, and so on.

An efficient service will consider your day’s schedule. They won’t want to drag out the process any longer than necessary. This allows you to get back to your day and not have to worry about the junk once it’s in their truck.

5. Check Online Reviews

There’s no better inside source for a home junk removal service than online reviews. They allow you the opportunity to understand the reputation of a specific company and decide whether you feel comfortable doing business with them or not.

The online reviews that you find can be a tremendous help during your search. Be sure to look at the overall ratings that previous clients have given the junk removal company.

Next, dive into the comments and read up on each client’s specific experience. How much junk did they need to be removed? Was the service prompt and efficient? Did they help their clients clean up after the fact?

After you’ve checked the online reviews on a specific junk removal company, you can have more confidence in hiring them. It’s important to note that not all negative comments should be taken at their word. Some are highly emotional and should be taken with a grain of salt.

Home Junk Removal Near Me: Find the Right Fit

Now that you’ve seen several different tips for how to find the best home junk removal near me, it’s time for you to use them in your search.

Be sure to read this blog post that has more information on the laws and penalties of illegally dumping your trash and junk.

For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further.

In 2016, the City of Chicago alone spent $1.5 million cleaning up unlawfully-disposed waste. All that trash collected from 4,000 illegal dump spots weighed a total of 32,000 tons.

What’s even worse is that many of these dumped items are hazardous. So, not only do they contribute to land and air pollution, but they can also result in health problems.

That’s why you must know how the State of Illinois defines illegal dumping. This way, you can avoid breaking the law, or, in case someone dumps trash on your property, make them liable.

Ready to learn all about unlawful dumping in the Prairie State? Then let’s get this guide started!

What Is Illegal Dumping?

Illegal dumping also goes by the name “fly dumping.” Either way, it’s the act of dumping any kind of waste material or trash on public or private property. Such activities do not have permission from the Department of Public Health.

Is Unlawful Dumping Considered a Criminal Activity?

Unlawful trash dumping is a violation of the Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/). Such illegal activities can either be a Class A misdemeanor or a more severe Class 4 felony.

There are also specific classifications of illegal dumping on private properties in Illinois. For instance, the state may charge first-time offenders with a Class B misdemeanor. The second offense would become a Class A misdemeanor, while a third will be a Class 4 felony.

On top of all these are the local city, county, or municipality ordinances. Chicago, for instance, is very active when it comes to prosecuting illegal dumpers. It’s a joint effort between the CPD, the CDPH, and the Department of Streets and Sanitation.

Why Is Illegal Dumping Such a Big Deal?

There are many causes of land pollution, but illegal waste disposal is one of the primary ones. However, they have a more profound impact than just being unsanitary. Environmental elements can degrade these wastes and cause them to leach toxic substances.

The poisonous compounds that they introduce to the soil can then affect vegetation. When it rains, the chemicals mix with rainwater and contaminate water formations too. In addition, people can get sick when exposed to such dangerous substances.

Much of the waste in dumpsites are also combustible, and when they do catch fire, the flames can be hard to control. There are even cases of “spontaneous combustion” in secured landfills. If these occur in legitimate facilities, they’re more likely in unguarded dumpsters.

Illegal dumpsites are also a haven for vermin and pest. Malaria- and dengue-bringing mosquitoes, for instance, can start breeding in these spots. In fact, about 2,000 new cases of malaria occur in the US every year.

These are just a few of the dangers that illegal dumping activities can result in. However, they should be enough for you to understand why it’s such a huge deal to the authorities.

What Are the Penalties That Illegal Dumpers Face?

On a state-level, illegal dumpers must pay a fine of no less than $500. Misdemeanor charges can also come with up to 300 hours of required community service. Class 4 felonies are much more severe, as they can have an additional fine of up to $25,000 per day of violation.

If the charges include littering, it’s also possible to face a jail term of one up to three years.

On a local level, Chicago has among the most stringent laws regarding illegal dumping. The city imposes a $1,500 minimum fine, plus imprisonment for up to six months for the first offense.

In addition, Chicagoland typically requires offenders up to 200 hours of community service. If the perpetrator uses a vehicle to move the trash to the dumpster, then that car would get impounded. The motor vehicle’s owner would have to pay for all the impoundment fees.

Also, note that Chicago takes illegal dumping so seriously that it runs a reward program. This encourages residents to be active in watching out for and reporting dumpers. Qualified reporters can then receive a $100 award from the municipal government.

The Role of the Municipal or City Garbage Collectors

The local garbage collectors are there to pick up any regular household waste. The keyword here is “regular,” so there are still limits to what they can collect, even if the items come from your home. They will, however, take away stuff like food left-overs, grass, plastic, glass, and paper.

What the garbage collection team won’t pick up are household hazardous wastes (HHW). These are usually chemicals like paints, varnishes, oils, batteries, pesticides, and cleaners. Even expired medications shouldn’t go into your trash bags.

Also, most municipalities have regulations on electronic waste (e-waste). City collectors often don’t pick up anything that runs on battery or electricity.

Your Special Waste Disposal Options

If you’re planning a home or even just a room decluttering project, you’re likely to end up with a lot of HHW. You’ll have even more trash to deal with if you’re about to carry out home improvements or repairs. All these activities can create humongous amounts of junk and waste materials.

In such cases, consider working with a professional cleaning and disposal service. These are experts not only when it comes to cleanouts but also the actual removal of waste from your home. They’ll even help you figure out which furniture or electronics you can sell or recycle.

Most importantly, these professionals carry proper waste disposal licenses. They will make sure your household waste never ends up in an illegal dumpster. They will also utilize appropriate handling procedures for hazardous wastes.

Proper Waste Disposal Helps Make the World a Cleaner Place

As you can see, illegal dumping is so detrimental to humans and the environment. That’s why states and local ordinances exist, and also why such laws are very stringent.

So, do yourself and the rest of the world a favor: be sure to practice proper waste disposal. If you see anyone in the act of dumping stuff illegally, report it to the authorities.

If you need help cleaning out your home and hauling away junk, know that the Orange Crew can come to your rescue. Please feel free to get in touch with us so we can assist you with all your waste disposal needs!

Time to move out of your stuffy old house and start your new life in your dream home. Between packing for the moving process and trying to clean so you don’t lose your security deposit, you’re beyond stressed. 

That’s why you should stop what you’re doing and hire a move out cleaning service to handle the hard work for you. They’re equipped with all the tools needed to get the job done in the most effective manner possible.

The best part of all, it won’t cost as much as you think it would. Still not sure if a cleaning service is right for you? Check out this guide to learn more.

1. It’s More Thorough 

Unless you’re a professional cleaner yourself or have some kind of cleaning experience, you’re bound to miss something during the process. Even if you do make a move out cleaning checklist. 

It may be less that you forget something and more that you just don’t have the equipment that’s needed to clean every nook and cranny of your home. Both these factors aren’t a problem with move out cleaning services. 

2. You May Damage Something

There’s a piece of stubborn food that won’t come off the stove no matter how much you scrub. Unfortunately for the piece of food (and your stove), you’re stubborn too so you keep going at it. 

In the end, you get the food off but your stove has a couple of scratches on it. There goes any possibility of you getting your security deposit back. Hiring a cleaning service will help you avoid this scenario. 

They’ll know how to remove annoying stuck-on food and lingering stains without doing any damage to your appliances.  

3. The New Tenants Will Be Happy

Sure, you’ll never meet the new tenants but you don’t want them to walk into their house and think that the last person who lived there was a slob. Besides, it’s only common courtesy that you leave your apartment looking the same way it did when you moved in. 

The landlord will clean up somewhat before the new person moves in but they may miss something. Now both of you look bad. 

4. It Saves Time 

Move out cleaning takes a while. It’s hard to find time to do it when you’re also trying to get everything packed so you can move out. With a cleaning company taking care of this work, it frees you up to do other things. 

You can now pack, look for a moving company, clean your new house, and move your belongings into the new house without having to worry about anything else. 

5. Cuts Your Stress in Half 

Speaking of worrying, being freed up to perform your other moving duties is a huge stress reliever. Moving is one of the most anxiety-inducing things you can do. 

You’re always running around, you’ve got to make phone call after phone call, make payment arrangements for the new place, set up utilities, cancel utilities at your old place, and of course, prepare your family mentally to live in a new area. It’s a lot. 

Let a cleaning company take care of this one thing so you can check it off your move out cleaning checklist and breathe a sigh of relief. 

6. It Will Please the Landlord 

Your landlord will be pretty impressed that you went the extra mile to have a cleaning service come to take care of things. This means that they might be a little less strict about the state of your apartment. 

Those are some extra brownie points that will be nice if you want to be able to get your security deposit back. 

7. You’ll Get Your Security Deposit Back 

When you first move into an apartment or house and have to cough up a security deposit it’s best to consider that money a loss. Something that you won’t get back because landlords are a little strict. Still, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t at least make the attempt to get it back. 

If you punch a hole in the wall or your dog chews up the carpet nothing can really fix that. If all that’s wrong with the place is a little dirt and grime though, a cleaning service will have you covered.

They’ll get your place sparkling clean and you’ll get your security deposit back in your hand to put toward stuff for the new house. 

8. It doesn’t Cost as Much as You Would Think 

If what’s stopping you from hiring a service is the price, don’t worry about it. It’s more affordable than you may think. It all depends on how large your unit is. For a one-bedroom house or an apartment, you’ll spend a little over a hundred bucks or so for a good deep clean.   

Considering that most security deposits are at least three hundred dollars if hiring a service allows you to get that back, the cleaning job will pay for itself. 

Enlist in Move Out Cleaning Services Today 

Before you can officially move out of your old house, you’ll need to clean things up. If you leave your house or apartment as is, there’s no way you’ll get your security deposit back. Besides, it’s rude to the landlord and the new tenant. 

You can do the cleaning yourself but with all the packing you’ll be doing, it’s a lot of added stress. That’s why you should hire our move out cleaning crew to do the job for you! Contact us to get started.  

It doesn’t take much for a bad habit to become a tradition. Throw your dirty laundry on the bedroom floor at the end of a bad day, and it’ll be that much easier to do it again. After all, you’ve already got a nice pile going.

But clutter isn’t just unsightly. Studies show it can lead to poor eating habits and exacerbate mental stress. No wonder it’s so hard to find the motivation you need to clean up the culprit.

By reading this article, you’re already well on your way to a cleaner, more positive future. Don’t let a messy bedroom hold you back. Here’s how to declutter your room. 

1. Choose Aesthetic Storage Solutions

Oftentimes, clutter takes shape when we have too many possessions and nowhere to store them. With plenty of storage space available, it’d be much easier to put everything away and find anything you need when the time comes.

The hard part is finding storage solutions that are both functional and fetching. But you don’t need to keep several transparent bins under your bed to amp up your storage space. Nowadays, you can find decorative fabric containers that come in many colors and designs.

This way, you can tuck everything away in plain sight without turning your bedroom into a storage unit.

2. Make the Most of Your Closet

Not everyone has a walk-in closet with space for hundreds of outfits you’ll only wear once. Most of the time, a closet is little more than a clothing rack and a single shelf.

It’s hard to use that space efficiently. Get up and open your closet. Is there space above and below your clothing?

If so, you found more room to tuck your clutter away. Make use of the vertical space by installing a shelving unit. And get your hands on some decorative, stackable baskets to optimize the ground level of the closet, too.

3. Don’t Declutter All at Once

If things have really gotten out of hand, getting rid of clutter could take you several hours or more. That’s a daunting task for anyone. In fact, it may be enough to make you procrastinate cleaning up in the first place.

Even the most demanding tasks can be accomplished when they’re split into smaller sessions. Every weekend, make it a habit to spend 10 or 15 minutes decluttering a few things in your bedroom.

Maybe the desk or dresser is a mess. Prioritize that for the week, and next weekend you can worry about your disorganized closet. Take things one step at a time.

Within a month, your bedroom will be a minimalist paradise. Best of all, it won’t feel like you’ve done anything to make it happen.

4. Decide What Needs to Go

Decluttering isn’t a fancy term for organizing. It also entails letting things go. And for many, departing of any possession can be a significant mental challenge.

But for the good of your mental health, you’ll need to cut ties with at least some of your belongings. It could be an old shirt with sentimental value from high school, or a broken smartphone you stubbornly wish to keep because it cost you hundreds a few years ago.

Throwing things away isn’t easy. But consider that holding on to old artifacts is stopping you from creating sentimental attachments to new ones.

If you need help filtering trash from treasure, take a look at our spring cleaning guide.

5. Organize the Dressers, Too

Although you may not see the mess inside your dresser drawers and other storage containers, that doesn’t mean it’s not there. In this instance, the old adage “out of sight, out of mind” doesn’t apply.

Organize your drawers as best you can. If your drawers don’t have compartments, a small strip of wood can keep things divided and neat.

While you’re cleaning things up, this is also a great opportunity to dust the insides and refold any clothing that’s been sitting wrinkled at the bottom of the drawers.

6. Rotate Seasonal Items

Bulky winter jackets and boots don’t have a place in summer weather. So why keep them out? If you don’t have room for them in your bedroom closet, stuff them away in your attic or basement to save on precious space.

Look beyond clothing, too. Things like heavy duty bedsheets may look nice, but there’s no way you’re going to use them unless you’ve got your AC pumping all summer long. 

7. Clean Everything

Getting rid of clutter is an achievement all in itself. But if you’ve had a mess sitting around for anything longer than a week, you’re not quite done.

Take advantage of the empty space by pulling out the vacuum and dust cloth. Get under the bed, clean the carpet, dust the shelving — leave no space unwashed.

And if you’re going to be selective with your cleaning duties, give your full attention to the mattress. Wash all the sheets, pillowcases included, and clean the mattress yourself while you’re at it.

From allergies to bacteria, there are plenty of reasons why you should clean your bedroom on a regular basis. 

That’s How to Declutter Your Room…

…unless it’s a real mess. You can’t declutter if your house is filled with junk that needs to be thrown away. In many areas, leaving an old fridge or a giant pile of unwanted items on the curbside is against city regulations.

The garbage men won’t be happy about that. And you won’t either! That’s how to declutter your room the wrong way.

Instead, rely on junk removal experts to clean up the mess for you. In addition to the heavy lifting, Orange Crew will recycle and donate your junk as part of our sustainability campaign. Take a look at our services for all your Chicagoland junk removal needs.