IS YOUR STORAGE UNIT COSTING YOU MORE THAN IT’S WORTH? HOW TO DECLUTTER & SAVE MONEY

Are You Holding Onto a Storage Unit You No Longer Need?

Storage units start as a temporary fix but can quickly turn into long-term money traps. Whether you rented one during a move, renovation, or downsizing, that monthly fee adds up—often without realizing just how much you're spending.

If you haven’t opened your storage unit in months (or even years), it’s time to ask yourself: Is what’s inside worth the cost?

Not sure where to start? Don’t worry! This guide will walk you through how to declutter, maximize space, and even save money along the way.

Why Storage Units Become Costly Clutter Traps

Most people rent storage units with good intentions—to store extra furniture, sentimental items, business supplies, or seasonal decorations. But over time, the monthly cost adds up.

📌 According to SpareFoot, the average storage unit costs $190 per month, which adds up to over $2,200 per year.

Common Reasons People Keep Storage Units Too Long

✔ Sentimental Attachment – It’s hard to let go of certain items.
✔ Out of Sight, Out of Mind – If it’s not in your daily space, you forget about it.
✔ Avoiding the Hassle – Cleaning out a packed unit feels overwhelming.
✔ Thinking You’ll Use It “Someday” – But in reality, it sits untouched for years.

If this sounds familiar, it’s time to reclaim your space and your money.

Step-by-Step Guide to Clearing Out Your Storage Unit

1️⃣ Take Inventory

Before diving in, list what’s inside. You might be surprised by what you’ve forgotten about.

2️⃣ Sort Items into Keep, Sell, Donate, or Toss

Once you’ve taken inventory, categorizing items will help make decisions easier. Use this chart as a guide:

Keep, Sell, Donate, or Toss? A Quick Sorting Guide

Category	Items That Belong Here	What to Do
Keep	Sentimental items, important documents, valuable heirlooms, essentials you’ll use regularly	Store them at home where you can access them
Sell	Furniture, collectibles, appliances, vintage items, designer clothing, electronics in working condition	Use platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, or local consignment shops
Donate	Gently used clothing, books, kitchenware, lightly worn furniture, children’s toys	Drop off at Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, or local charities
Toss	Broken electronics, expired items, damaged furniture, moldy boxes, outdated paperwork	Properly dispose using junk removal services, dumpster rentals, or local recycling centers

3️⃣ Be Honest About What You Really Need

A simple trick: Would I buy this again today? If not, you probably don’t need it.

📌 Decluttering experts say if you haven’t used an item in a year, you won’t miss it once it’s gone.

4️⃣ Consider Selling or Donating Valuable Items

Why let perfectly good items collect dust when they could be used by someone else?

🛒 Sell it on:

• Facebook Marketplace

• Craigslist

• eBay

• Local consignment shops

🎁 Donate to:

• Goodwill

• Salvation Army

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore

• Local shelters

Not only does this clear space, but you can also earn extra cash or help someone in need.

5️⃣ Properly Dispose of Unwanted Items

Not everything can be sold or donated. So what do you do with the junk?

📌 Electronics & Appliances – Take them to an e-waste recycling center.
📌 Old Mattresses & Furniture – Check if your city offers bulk waste pickup.
📌 General Junk & Trash – Consider a dumpster rental or full-service junk removal.

Dumpster Rental vs. Full-Service Junk Removal: Which One is Best for Storage Unit Cleanouts?

If you have a lot to clear out, two options work best: renting a dumpster or hiring a junk removal service. But which one should you choose?

Here’s a breakdown:

Dumpster Rental vs. Full-Service Junk Removal: What’s Best for Your Storage Unit Cleanout?

Feature	Dumpster Rental	Full-Service Junk Removal
Best For	DIY cleanouts, long-term projects, and slow accumulation of waste	Quick, hassle-free storage unit cleanouts without heavy lifting
How It Works	A dumpster is dropped off at your location, and you load it yourself over the rental period	Our team arrives, sorts through your items, removes everything, and hauls it away for you
Labor Required?	✅ Yes – You load the dumpster yourself	❌ No – Our team does all the lifting and loading
Time Commitment	Takes several days to complete depending on how fast you load	Typically completed in a few hours
What Can Go Inside?	✅ Furniture (couches, dressers, tables, chairs) ✅ Household junk (boxes, clothing, toys, decor) ✅ Electronics (TVs, printers, monitors, small appliances) ✅ Construction debris (wood, drywall, tile, flooring) ✅ General trash & non-hazardous waste	✅ Furniture & appliances (mattresses, washers, dryers, couches) ✅ Heavy items (pianos, safes, gym equipment) ✅ Construction & demolition waste (wood, concrete, tile) ✅ Yard waste (tree limbs, brush, debris) ✅ Estate & hoarder cleanouts
Eco-Friendly Disposal?	♻️ Some materials can be recycled depending on your disposal site	♻️ We handle recycling & donation of usable items before disposal

Which Option is Right for You?

• Choose a dumpster rental if you want to clean out your storage unit at your own pace over a few days.

• Choose full-service junk removal if you want a team to do all the heavy lifting and handle disposal for you.

How TrashHelp Can Make Your Cleanout Easy

Let’s be real—storage cleanouts can be exhausting. If your unit is packed to the ceiling, handling the entire process alone might not be realistic.

That’s where TrashHelp comes in. We make clearing out storage units fast, easy, and stress-free by:

✔ Sorting Through Items – Helping you separate what to keep, donate, and toss.
✔ Hauling Away Junk – Removing old furniture, broken appliances, and unwanted clutter.
✔ Handling Proper Disposal – Ensuring items are donated, recycled, or responsibly disposed of.

READY TO FREE YOURSELF FROM STORAGE CLUTTER?

If your storage unit has become more of a burden than a benefit, let us help you reclaim your space—and your money.

📞 Call or text us at 561-316-8668
💻 Get a free quote at www.TrashHelp.com