If your child is on their way to college, they’ll likely have to tidy up elements of the past before embarking on the future. In particular, there’s a good chance they’ll need to clean out their childhood bedroom. They should select the few items they want to take with them and make space, so you can get more use out of the room while they’re away. To help them navigate this junk removal process, here are a few ways to make the project easier.

5 Strategies for Cleaning Your Child’s Room Before They Head to College

1. Repurpose Treasured Items

If there are sentimental items that they’re struggling to get rid of, research ways they can repurpose them into something new and useful. For example, T-shirts from childhood can be cut up into squares and stitched together into a blanket that can keep them warm in the dorm room.

2. Pack Practically

As they sort through excess belongings, they might have the urge to take more than they need with them to college. Rather than packing items based on the emotions or sentiments they’ve attached to them, look to choose a select few that will serve a purpose while they’re away. For instance, they should only pack clothes that fit comfortably.

3. Clean a Section at a Time

To make sure they still have time to enjoy the summer with family and friends, break up the cleaning task by sections. For example, one day can be spent clearing out the closet, while the next could be focused on sorting through the bookshelves.

4. Store Keepsakes & Mementos

There will likely be a few keepsakes that they won’t want to get rid of but won’t necessarily need at college—such as letters, awards, and photos. These items should be placed in a watertight acid-free container so that they won’t get damaged over time. Label the box and put it in a storage area that will be easy to locate in the future.

5. Call a Junk Removal Service

Items that cannot be stored, donated, or repurposed can pile up fast, leaving you little room in your household’s trash can. Rather than carting the waste to the dump, you can call a junk removal service to conveniently pick it up and safely transport it to a proper disposal location. 

Heading off to school shouldn’t be stressful. Red’s Hauling Service offers fast, professional, and affordable cleanout services to the Greater Chicago, IL, area. This team can handle junk hauling jobs of any size and is equipped to clean out individual rooms, as well as entire households. Call the junk removal company at (773) 616-0979 to schedule a pickup.