Useless items have a way of piling up, especially if you have a garage, attic, or storage unit. While some belongings, like family heirlooms, may be worth keeping, there are plenty of items you can get rid of during junk removal. Here are a few places you should start looking when trying to clean out your house.

What Items Should You Throw Away During Junk Removal?

1. Broken Furniture

Do you have some old thrift store finds or inherited furniture that just needs to be refinished or repaired? Unless it’s truly valuable, it’s time to pass it on, especially if you’ve had it more than a year and it’s just taking up space. Consider throwing it out or donating it if it’s in good enough condition.

2. Unused Kitchen Items

Go through the kitchen and throw out plastic tubs with no lids and any scratched, warped, or broken pots and pans. Also, get rid of old plastic silverware, condiment packets, and supplements, herbs, and spices that are more than one or two years old or expired. Consider throwing away broken appliances or specialty pans and gadgets that haven’t been used in years, as well.

3. Kids’ Toys

If the kids are grown up, there’s no need to save all of their toys for a future grandchild. Keep a favorite blanket or teddy bear and get rid of the rest. Toys in good condition can be donated, but old stuffed animals and plastic items can harbor bacteria, insects, or mold and might not meet current child safety standards. 

4. Papers & Magazines

Old files, receipts, newspapers, and magazines take up a lot of space and attract insects. Many tax preparation services offer complete online storage of documentation, eliminating the need for paper copies. Receipts used for tax purposes should be labeled and kept, but otherwise, toss out papers and receipts that aren’t necessary. Recycle magazines over six months old and any newspapers that are more than two weeks out of date. Most publications even offer digital subscriptions, so opt for that to save paper and clutter.

Clearing away old belongings you don’t use will make way for a cleaner and less-cluttered home. Red’s Hauling Service in Chicago, IL, has provided junk removal and storage cleanout services, as well as estate and hoarder cleanup, for over 20 years. Call (773) 616-0979 to schedule a pickup, or visit their website to learn more about their services.