Since furniture is heavy and bulky, disposing of it can be difficult, mainly if you dispose of several pieces at once. When it’s time to relocate, clean out your house, or replace old, unused furniture, having a well-organized strategy and thorough plan will make the process easier, safer, and more effective. Here are five ideas for getting rid of furniture you don’t need anymore.
1 Rent a Dumpster
Renting a roll-off dumpster to do the job is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get rid of furniture and other garbage during a home cleanout. From Minnesota to South Florida, dumpster rentals are available in various sizes to fit large and small loads of furniture. The dumpster rental process is simple:
- Select the necessary dumpster size for the job.
- Schedule delivery.
- Fill it with unwanted furniture and other belongings.
- Have it picked up once the cleanout is complete.
Before hauling everything away, the dumpster’s company team will lay driveway protection and clean up the dumpster area.
Benefits
1) Simplest and Fastest Way To Get Rid Of Furniture
Renting a dumpster is a convenient and fast way to dispose of unwanted items, but there are a few pitfalls to avoid:
Make sure, for example, that all discarded furniture and possessions are gathered and ready to go before the dumpster arrives.
Since furniture is so heavy and unwieldy, it’s also necessary to keep the dumpster’s walk-in doors unblocked for easy loading. No one wants to carry their couches and tables over the bin’s edge. Renting a dumpster is an ideal way to dispose of discarded furniture.
2) Low Cost and 100% Reliable
Renting a self-service dumpster allows you to combine your trash disposal in one place. Anything you want to get rid of goes straight into the trash can. This simplified method is handy for renovations because it decreases the amount of cleaning needed at the end of the project. In addition, it’s a low-cost service that is 100% reliable and trustworthy.
3) No Risk Of Fines Or Tickets
If done right, renting a dumpster from a private company will free you from all troubles related to fines or tickets, as these services comply with the law and are made to help the community.
Things to Consider
Picking The Right Dumpster Size
The scope of your project mostly determines the size of the dumpster you rent. The following is a list of dumpster sizes and the projects that are most commonly connected with them.
The smallest dumpster is the 10-yard dumpster, which is excellent for modest projects. A 10-yard dumpster is a good choice if you don’t have a lot of debris or if you have a small area and want a container with a small footprint.
The 20-yard dumpster is the most commonly rented dumpster and is in the middle of the size range. This dumpster size is suitable for a range of projects due to its adaptability.
The 30-yard dumpster is typically used for larger projects. If you’re seeking to get rid of large furnishings, this dumpster size is ideal.
Roll-Off Rental Dumpster Options
In a nutshell, a 10-yard dumpster can store around three pickup truck loads. Multiply those figures to get an approximation of how much storage capacity each dumpster size has.
A 10-yard rental is adequate room to cart away minor amounts of piping, reflooring, and restoration waste for small repair projects. Because the sides are short enough to avoid overweight penalties, it’s also an appropriate size for dumping of concrete, dirt, and other heavy items.
A 40-yard dumpster, on the other hand, is the largest dumpster available and can hold up to six tons of weight. For huge building sites, it’s a decent size. Make sure you have enough site area and clearance for a truck to securely drop off and load a full dumpster before booking one this size.
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2 Organize a Garage Sale
It’s possible to make money by cleaning out your house. Old and aged furniture that isn’t unusable can be picked up and sold at a garage or yard sale. Sales are also an excellent way to eliminate other unwanted things like appliances, toys, clothes, equipment, and home decor. It could surprise you how easily your old, well-used possessions sell.
Benefits
1) You Can Make Some Money From Your Old Stuff
The problem of using non-renewable materials is as bad as ever, and materials used to make furniture, such as wood, are in high demand. When you buy second-hand furniture, the materials that would have been used to build it can be put to greater use elsewhere.
2) You Can Use The Sale To Get Rid Of Smaller Objects Too
Take advantage of a garage sale and also grab all those objects you’ve wanted to get rid of for years now. Organizing a garage sale is an excellent way of getting rid of furniture and things you no longer use.
3) Foster A Sense of Community
With a garage sale, you can also get to know your neighbors or other local residents and maybe even exchange other old furniture or items in return for your own. Maybe your neighbor has that old mirror you’ve been looking for, and all they’re asking in return is that sofa for table you’re trying to sell.
Things to Consider
You Might Not Sell Your Entire Haul of Furniture
When properly cared for, hardwoods such as oak and maple produce sturdy and solid furniture that is more eligible for yard sales. On the other hand, when using wood furniture like pine lumber, particularly in couches, the results are different, and people may not want to get something from that material. Pine is a safer option for items that won’t be subjected to a lot of weight or strain for an extended time. When considering a used piece for longevity, look at the types of wood used.
3 Leave It at the Curb
If you’re getting rid of a few tiny pieces of furniture, you may be able to leave it in a pile by the curb. However, contact the local garbage collection service first, as some can charge for more oversized items, enforce rules or restrictions on what can be picked up, or restrict their service to certain days or load sizes.
Benefits
1) Someone Might Pick It Up
The problem of using non-renewable materials is as bad as ever, and materials used to make furniture, such as wood, are in high demand. When you buy second-hand furniture, the materials that would have been used to build it can be put to greater use elsewhere.
2) Absolutely No Cost
Leaving it at the curb will cost you nothing, so it might be a good first call to make, depending on the size of the furniture you’re getting rid of.
Things to Consider
It Might Be Illegal To Leave Furniture At The Curb In Your Area
Residents in several cities are prohibited from placing large or heavy things on the curb. Contacting your local curbside recycling and waste collection company is the best option. Avoid paying a large charge for leaving furniture by the curb just because you felt it was okay.
Garbage Pickup Services Might Have Size Regulations
Ensure to stay updated with the garbage pick-up services in your city and their size regulations, so you won’t have to experience an unfortunate moment.
4Donating it to a Charitable Organization
Donate furniture that is free of significant damage, rips, stains, gaps, and odors. Nonprofit agencies, charities, second-hand stores, shelters, colleges, churches, and community centers are among the organizations involved in collecting donated furniture.
Make some phone calls to see who may be interested, and then plan for the furniture to be picked up or shipped. It’s comforting to know that your old furniture can be repurposed rather than ending up in a landfill or on the side of the road.
Benefits
1) No Shortage of Charities To Donate Your Furniture
The Salvation Army has a vast network of locations that accept furniture donations, and you can arrange a pickup with one of their vehicles.
Local homeless shelters can accept furniture donations as well. Please inquire with your nearest shelter and find out how to help them get couches or whatever old furniture you want to donate. Donations can also be made through Craigslist.
2) Extend The Life Of Your Old Furniture
To prevent getting rid of your old furniture or make it the perfect item to donate, follow the next tips to extend the life of your furniture.
- Use the furniture well (for what it’s meant).
- Stain-proof it.
- Keep pets away from furniture.
- Clean it often.
Things to Consider
The Furniture Should Be In Usable Condition
Your furniture must be in good condition in order for donating organizations to accept it. It doesn’t have to be brand new, but it should be clean, free of damage, rips, or stains, and in good working order.
5Selling Your Furniture Online
Benefits
1) Make a Profit Out Of Your Old Furniture
It’s possible to make money by cleaning out your house. Old and aged furniture that isn’t unusable can be picked up and sold at a garage or yard sale. Sales are also an excellent way to eliminate other unwanted things like appliances, toys, clothes, equipment, and home decor. It could surprise you how easily your old, well-used possessions sell.
2) Buyers Can Pick Up The Furniture Themselves
If buyers can pick up their furniture themselves, then it would be the best for both parties. You will get to see the face of the buyer and the buyer will be able to double-check the furniture in case there are any changes to their decision.
Things to Consider
Selling Online Can Take a Long Time
Selling secondhand furniture on an internet marketplace is perfect since it will sell quickly and for a reasonable price. Even so, sometimes people aren’t on the lookout for furniture, less if it’s old, so consider that it may take a while before selling what you need to get rid of.
You Should Be Careful When Meeting Online Buyers
As with most things in life, there is a prevention instinct when dealing with an unknown face, and online buyers are not the exception. Some steps to take before selling your old furniture may include not giving out your whole information, meeting at a safe place, and doing thorough research on the candidates. Also, don’t forget to trust your gut.
How To Dispose of Furniture
Take Inventory of Everything You Want To Get Rid Of
Take inventory of the furniture you’ll be removing, as well as any other trash you’ll be discarding before you begin. If your furniture is in good shape, it can be donated, but it’s probably time to get rid of it if it has big tears, scrapes, or pet damage.
Separate Furniture From Junk
Remove the parts at the joints if the unwanted furniture is made of wood materials. It would be less bulky if you disassembled it. It would help if you then put it out on the curb like normal garbage.
Recycle What You Can
Some ways to recycle old furniture are:
Donate the object to charity. Donate your old furniture to charity or send it to someone who wants it if you don’t need it. Give the item for sale. It can be refinished or reupholstered. It can be repurposed.
Check Your Local Laws For Furniture Disposal
This is highly important. As mentioned before, checking your local laws for furniture disposal is the safest way to get rid of old furniture and even other objects.
