No one wants to be part of a dirty environment. Not only does it have negative effects on your mental health, but it can potentially make you sick!  One of the best ways to create a clean space is through professional junk removal. You may think that this is reserved for people with excessive items, but that’s not the case. Anyone can benefit from junk removal, including you.

Sometimes, it’s difficult to know if you’d benefit from hiring a professional company to remove unwanted items. Here’s how to tell when it’s time to call in the pros.

You Never Use Those Items

It’s not always easy to get rid of things, especially if you have a sentimental attachment to them. You may also find it difficult to get rid of things if you spend a lot of money on them. 

This doesn’t change the fact that those items are most likely just sitting and collecting dust. If you never use them, it’s time to throw them out.

That old furniture isn’t going to become useful again magically. It will continue to take up space, and the same goes for old electronics, memorabilia, etc. 

Do yourself a favor and take inventory of everything in your home that you never use. Forget about what those items mean to you. If you find yourself relieved at the idea of letting them go and making your home tidier, then you’ll benefit from garbage removal. 

Many people struggle with sorting through their belongings and deciding what is necessary to keep. The best way to go about it is to see what you’ve used in the last year. If it ultimately doesn’t bring you joy or value, you’re better off getting rid of it. 

It’s Time for a Big Move

Moving isn’t an experience that most people would call enjoyable. In fact, it can be downright stressful. Eliminate a portion of that stress with unwanted item removal services.

The one benefit of moving is that you can sort through all of your belongings and decide what’s necessary. This is especially true if you’ve lived in a place for many years. It’s easy for things to accumulate and pile up. 

Sure, you can make things harder for yourself by taking several trips to the dumpster or risk making your neighbors angry by leaving trash piled up at the front of your home. But that’s the last thing you need to deal with, especially when your to-do list is overflowing. 

Make your life (and move) easier by hiring a Chicago junk removal service. You’ll save time, money, and several headaches. 

You Need More Storage Space

Have you recently been browsing through a store and found an amazing piece of furniture that would make a great addition to your home? Were you then disappointed to remember that you have a bunch of clutter and won’t be able to fit it anywhere?

If the answer to both of these is yes, then it’s time to get rid of the old and make way for the new. Anyone who lives in a place for several years is bound to accumulate a lot of belongings. It becomes a burden when you start finding it difficult to navigate your home without feeling cramped.

There are also all the different closets and storage spaces that should have some breathing room, but you might be afraid to open them because they’re overstuffed with forgotten items. This is no way to live, and you deserve to have an orderly space with plenty of storage options.

Removing extra junk that you have no use for is sure to open your home to new possibilities.

The Items Are Becoming a Safety Concern

Perhaps you’ve already begun to leave junk out on the curb, but you’re unsure of how to dispose of it. After all, your sedan isn’t going to be the greatest option to transport a large pile of garbage. What about large, heavy furniture that needs to be disposed of?

Well, you guessed it, a junk removal service is a perfect option. 

Many consequences come from junk that is left in one area for too long. For one, there are environmental issues because of the potential chemicals and waste that these objects emit. 

Bacteria can also be present, causing the junk to smell and become a health hazard for you and anyone in the vicinity. You’ll need to properly dispose of all that potentially dangerous waste as quickly and effectively as possible. Hiring professionals is your best bet if you can’t do it yourself (and you shouldn’t have to). 

You’re Not Looking to Do the Work Yourself

The bottom line is that doing junk removal on your own is difficult, frustrating, and can end up being more expensive than hiring a junk removal service.

Think about it: you have several large furniture pieces that you need to relocate to a disposal site. Then, you’ll need to find a way to get those items to the dumpster, all while having to balance work, family, and other obligations.

Why not eliminate all those hours of stress and physical labor by hiring the right junk removal service? You’ll have a cleaner, more organized home in no time, and you won’t need to lift a finger. 

Know When to Call a Junk Removal Service

As the years go by, any living space has the potential to get cluttered. It’s normal to save items that have sentimental value or are a useful addition to your home.

However, there may be times when a junk removal service is necessary. Not only can they save you a ton of time, but they’ll efficiently dispose of any unwanted items. Get ready to come home to an orderly and tidy space, free of any junk. 

Ready to clean out a residential or business space? We’ve got you covered! Be sure to contact us for a quote today. 

Living in a cluttered space can negatively impact your physical, emotional, and mental health. For this reason, it’s a healthy practice to regularly declutter your living space and get rid of the objects you no longer need.

As Americans, it’s common for us to have way too much stuff. In fact, a study done by UCLA found that 75% of families had so much stuff stored in their garages that they couldn’t even park their cars inside them.

Whether you have a commercial property that needs some old equipment removed or you’re cleaning out your primary residence as a part of your spring cleaning, hiring a junk removal service can help make the process easier and more efficient.

Not convinced that you need to hire a junk removal service? Let’s look at the 7 benefits of hiring the experts to take care of hauling away the stuff you don’t need anymore.

1. Hiring a Junk Removal Service Makes Your Property Look Better

If you’ve ever previously listed a house for sale, you’ve probably heard about the importance of curb appeal. Curb appeal is what your property looks like to passersby on the street. Even if you are not putting your house on the market, there are several reasons why curb appeal is important.

For instance, having your property look nicer from the outside and the street can help reduce the likelihood of criminals targeting your property. Similarly, having a cleaned-up property can benefit your relationship with the rest of the neighborhood. An organized and clean yard can also ensure that your property is safe and free from hazardous obstacles.

2. It Saves You Money and Time

Getting rid of bulky items or tons of donations can be a real hassle. You could try and give away your old refrigerator for free on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, but chances are you’ll end up investing a bunch of time into setting up appointments with people who never show up.

When you hire the best junk removal service, they are experts who can take care of it all for you. You don’t have to worry about finding a friend to help you move that old couch out of the basement. Hiring a junk removal company ensures that you’re putting your time and your money where it’s most important.

3. The Best Junk Removal Service Offers Greater Safety

If you’re removing junk items on your own, there are some serious safety concerns. Heavy, bulky, or awkward items can be complicated to maneuver through narrow hallways or windy staircases.

A household junk removal service will be able to remove any objects you want to get rid of safely. This might mean appliances, furniture, remodeling debris, and so much more.

4. It Offers Flexibility

The best junk removal services will help you remove any objects your trying to get rid of, whether it’s a bunch of small stuff or one huge item. This means that you don’t have to hire different people to get rid of different objects. Instead, you have the flexibility to hire one company and have them remove things from your schedule.

5. You Can Donate and Recycle Items

One of the reasons people feel so stressed about getting rid of stuff is that they worry about throwing things away. When you hire a junk removal company, you’ll have the option to donate or recycle certain items. That way, you can rest assured that the stuff you’re getting rid of will continue to get used, rather than sitting in a landfill somewhere.

6. It’s Affordable

What does hiring a junk removal service cost? It depends on what it is you’re having hauled away, but overall this process really is quite affordable. According to some estimates, most homeowners spend between $150 to $350 on junk removal services. On average, the range in cost is somewhere between $70 and $570.

7. A Household Junk Removal Service Can Properly Remove Hazardous Substances

If your property has hazardous substances that you need to remove, hiring a junk removal service is really the best way to go. These are professionals who know exactly how to handle substances or items that could pose a safety risk for something as serious as potentially dangerous objects so that the removal process goes smoothly and nothing goes awry.

Are You Looking For a Junk Removal Service in the Chicago Area?

As you can see, there are a lot of different benefits to hiring a junk removal service. When you’ve got stuff to haul away, save yourself the stress, time, and money of doing it yourself and instead hire the pros.

At Orange Crew, we offer a wide variety of junk removal services. Whether you’re a homeowner that has a big pile of junk to get rid of after a cleanout or you’re a business owner that’s remodeling your office, we’re here to help!

With all the necessary equipment and a team of experienced professionals, your junk removal process will be a breeze.

When you set up an appointment with us, we’ll first come out so that you can show us what needs to be taken away. We’ll then give you a free, no-obligation quote. 95% of the time, we’re able to remove your unwanted items on the spot.

When we’re hauling away your junk, all you have to do is the point to what you want to be removed, and we’ll do the rest. You don’t have to worry about carrying anything or loading anything. Once we haul away your junk, you can rest assured that we will sort through it to donate and recycle everything we can.

Are you considering Googling “junk removal service near me”? Is it time for you to declutter your property? If so, book an appointment today!

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.

Continue reading “A Step-by-Step Guide to the Ultimate Garage Clean Out”

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. 

Continue reading “5 Junk Removal Tips That New Homebuyers Need to Know”

Are you tired of living in 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. Don’t panic if you’re tired of living amongst clutter but aren’t sure how to start clearing out and reclaiming your home. We’re here to help. Here are five must-have tips to help you make the most of your full-house junk clean-out.

Continue reading “5 Necessary Tips to Prepare for a Whole House Junk Clean Out”

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.

Continue reading “How to Find the Best “Home Junk Removal Near Me”: 5 Helpful Tips”

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 make them liable if someone dumps trash on your property.

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

Continue reading “Think Before You Dump: Guide to the Laws and Penalties About Illegal Dumping”