Category: Junk Removal

downsizing-for-retirement

Downsizing for Retirement: Simplify Your Life with Professional Junk Removal

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Retirement is an exciting phase of life that brings new opportunities, freedom and a chance to simplify your life. One of its key aspects is downsizing and decluttering your home of unnecessary possessions so you can have the space and freedom to enjoy your retirement. While this may seem like a daunting task, professional junk removal services, like those offered by 123JUNK, can make the downsizing process more manageable.

As retirement approaches, downsizing your living space becomes an important consideration. Over the years, we tend to accumulate a multitude of possessions that can weigh us down both physically and mentally. Downsizing not only frees up physical space, it helps you clear your mind, allowing you to focus on the more fun things in life, like travel, golf or socializing with friends and loved ones.

If you’re moving to a smaller home, downsizing can provide financial benefits as well. Smaller spaces typically come with lower utility bills, maintenance costs and property taxes. The home requires less time and effort to maintain, and can simplify daily tasks. With fewer rooms and belongings to manage, you can enjoy a more organized and efficient lifestyle, enabling you to fully enjoy your retirement.

5 Reasons to use a Junk Removal Company when Downsizing

Streamlining the Downsizing Process

Downsizing for retirement involves making difficult decisions about what to keep, sell, donate or discard. It can be time consuming and emotionally challenging. Using a junk removal company, professional organizer or senior specialist can help.

Sorting and Disposal

Junk removal professionals have the knowledge and experience to effectively sort through your unwanted belongings and identify items that can be donated to a local charity partner, recycled or disposed of responsibly. All you need to do is create one pile; they’ll take care of the rest as they load their truck.

Related: 5 Unexpected Benefits of Downsizing Your Home

Safe and Efficient Removal

Large and bulky items can pose a safety risk during downsizing, and you certainly don’t want to throw out your back just as you’re getting psyched up for days on the golf course. Junk removal specialists are equipped with the right training and tools to remove and transport items without causing personal injury or property damage.

Customized Solutions

Every individual’s downsizing requirements are unique. Your junk removal company can offer flexible solutions, whether you need assistance with removing a few large items, or completely clearing out your home for a move.

Stress-free and Convenient Hauling

A professional junk removal service understands that emotions are involved when dealing with a lifetime of memories. They strive to make the experience as stress-free as possible. By entrusting the removal of unwanted items to experts, you can focus on cherishing the memories and making new ones, rather than being weighed down by physical clutter.

Downsizing for Retirement? Partner with 123JUNK.

Downsizing for retirement is your opportunity to simplify your life and create a comfortable living space that suits your new lifestyle. Partner with a junk removal company like 123JUNK to help you declutter efficiently and responsibly so you are free to embrace the retirement you’ve always dreamed of.

Since 2008, 123JUNK has been helping folks transition to retirement by offering professional junk removal services. By entrusting your downsizing process to their skilled team, you can streamline the entire experience, from sorting to dispose and safe and efficient removal of unwanted or unused items.

If you’re downsizing in Maryland, Northern Virginia or the Washington DC metropolitan area, contact 123JUNK. Call us today at 1-800-364-5778 to schedule your junk removal pickup.

 

 

 

 

old-appliances

Why Can’t You Throw Out an Old Appliance?

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

When we’re busy, it’s easy to overlook the environmental consequences of our everyday actions, and we often discard items without considering their long-term impact. One such commonly-overlooked area is the disposal of old appliances. When your trusty refrigerator, washer or microwave has finally failed, did you know that you can’t just drop it off at the landfill? So why can’t you throw out an old appliance? Let’s explore the answer and look at some sustainable alternatives for their disposal.

3 Reasons You Can’t Just Throw Out an Old Appliance

  1. Environmental impact. Many appliances contain materials that can be harmful to the environment. Components such as batteries, refrigerants, mercury switches or electronic circuit boards can have hazardous substances that, if they end up in the landfill, can contaminate the soil, water and air.
  2. Resource conservation. Appliances often contain valuable resources like metals, plastics and electronic components that can be recycled and reused. With proper disposal, these material can be extracted and utilized in the manufacturing of new products. This helps reduce the demand for raw materials and conserves resources.
  3. Legal requirements. Many states and regions have laws and regulations governing the disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) and contaminants. These legal requirements are in place to prevent improper disposal and to promote responsible recycling practices. Violations can lead to fines or penalties.

What’s in an Appliance or Electronic Device That Can be Harmful?

The components and chemicals within appliances varies between the types of appliances, and with their age. Some of the most common examples of their hazardous or dangerous materials include:

  • Refrigerants such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that can lead to ozone depletion if released into the air.
  • Rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries that can contain lead, cadmium, mercury or lithium.
  • Cathode ray tubes (CRTs), found in older televisions and computer monitors, which have a high lead concentration. Some may also contain arsenic.
  • Printed circuit boards (PCBs) found in computers, printers or smartphones that can contain lead, mercury, cadmium and brominated flame retardants.
  • Capacitators with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that include cancer-causing properties.
  • Asbestos, found in some heating systems’ insulation or components.
  • Mercury switches found in thermostats or fluorescent lighting.
  • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic often used in electronic cables, wires and casings.

Related: EPA Report on Responsible Appliance Disposal

4 Great Ways to Get Rid of Your Unwanted Appliances

  1. Your municipality may have a recycling program specially designed for appliances. These programs ensure that your appliances are properly dismantled and their components are recycled or disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner.
  2. Use manufacturer or retail take-back programs. Look for incentives or discounts when purchasing a new appliance if you return your old one for recycling or proper disposal.
  3. If your old appliance still works, consider donating it to one your local charitable organizations that accepts appliances. This way it can be used by someone else.
  4. Hire a junk removal service. An appliance removal service like 123JUNK trains its crew on the correct methods to remove and recycle your old appliances. And they can pick up and transport them to a local charity if you wish to donate them (you’ll get a receipt for tax deduction).

It’s clear we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the environmental consequences of throwing out an old appliance. Dumping it in a landfill would be not only wasteful, but would pose risks to our ecosystems and health. By taking a responsible approach, every one of us can make a positive impact. After all, the choices we make today will shape the world we live in now and pass on to our future generations.

Schedule Your Appliance Removal with 123JUNK

123JUNK provides junk hauling services to home and business owners throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland or Washington DC.

When you schedule a pickup appointment for your old appliances and electronics, 123JUNK will arrive at your location and safely and efficiently remove them, ensuring minimal disruptions. We’re committed to environmentally-friendly practices with our 1-2-3 Process of Donate-Recycle-Dispose, and work to maximize the reuse of items we collect. For appliances and electronics in good condition, we’ll drop them off with one of our charity partners. Otherwise, we’ll deliver them to the appropriate recycling center.

You’ll enjoy our transparent pricing and our upfront cost estimate that eliminates surprises. And we guarantee you’ll be pleased with our courteous and professional service.

Contact 123JUNK today at 1-800-364-5778 to schedule your appliance removal.

spring-yard-cleanup-mowing

The Essentials for Spring Yard Cleanup

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Now that the weather is beautiful, your family will be spending more time outdoors and want to have a beautiful environment to enjoy. That means spring yard cleanup! To make this chore easier, we’ll explore in this post the tools and techniques you’ll need to get the job done.

Basic Tasks for Spring Yard Cleanup

You likely haven’t touched the yard in several months, as winter wreaked its storms and cold air, so now there are tasks to do to get your yard ready. They include:

  • Raking leaves and removing debris such as leaves, twigs, and other debris accumulated during fall and winter months. This will help prepare your lawn for new growth.
  • Pruning trees and shrubs. Prune dead branches from trees and shrubs, but wait until after flowering trees and shrubs are done blooming to trim them as not to disturb their showy array.
  • Clearing out flower beds to remove dead plants and flowers, and add new soil or compost to prepare for new plantings.
  • Aerating the soil, fertilizing and mowing the lawn to promote healthy grass growth.
  • Laying seed or sod to fill in bare spots in the lawn.
  • Spreading mulch around trees and shrubs to retain moisture and suppress weeds
  • Weed and pest control.
  • Fertilizing with a slow-release fertilizer to give your lawn the nutrients it needs to grow strong and healthy.

10 Essential Tools for Yard Work

It’s always easier to perform a task when you have the right tools on hand. Here are the basic pieces of equipment you’ll should keep on hand for your yard maintenance.

  1. A good quality rake for removing twigs, leaves and other debris.
  2. Pruning shears or loppers for pruning dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs.
  3. Garden gloves to protect your hands from thorns, prickly plants and other yard hazards.
  4. A wheelbarrow to transport soil, debris and other materials around the yard.
  5. A sturdy shovel for digging and moving soil and mulch.
  6. A lawn mower to keep grass well groomed.
  7. An edger to achieve a neat and professional-looking edge around your lawn and garden beds.
  8. A leaf blower or vacuum to remove leaves and debris from hard-to-reach areas.
  9. A hedge trimmer to maintain shape and control growth on shrubbery.
  10. Safety equipment such as safety glasses and ear protection to wear when using power tools.

Related: How to Tune Up Your Lawn Mower

When is it Time to Get New Yard Equipment?

Knowing when to replace your yard equipment depends on your individual needs and circumstances, but usually there are signs that it may be time to make the investment. Some things to look for include:

  • If your equipment is older than 10 years and shows signs of wear and tear.
  • If you are making frequent repairs, or your equipment has become unreliable, it may be more cost-effective to replace it.
  • For maximum efficiency, like if your mower is struggling to cut the grass evenly, it may be time to consider a newer model.
  • If your equipment is no longer safe to use, or is missing safety features, replace it.
  • Environmental considerations. Older gas-powered equipment can be replaced with newer, more environmentally-friendly models that are more efficient and produce fewer emissions.

What to Do With Your Old Lawn Equipment and Yard Debris During Spring Yard Cleanup: Call 123JUNK

So that leaves the question on what to do with your old lawn equipment and the yard debris that you’ve collected during your spring yard cleanup.

The easiest answer, if you live in Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. or the Maryland suburbs, is to contact 123JUNK. As a junk removal company, 123JUNK can pick up your old equipment and lawn debris and dispose of it in a safe and environmentally-responsible way. We provide:

  • Free estimates and transparent pricing.
  • Easy pickup from your home or business at a time convenient to you.
  • Responsible disposal in accordance with local regulations and guidelines.
  • Donation and recycling to a local charity or the appropriate recycling center.
  • Professional service and experience with all types of lawn care equipment, including lawn mowers, trimmers, chainsaws and more.

There’s no need to sort through items for recycling, or haul away bulky items on your own. With 123JUNK, you’ll save time and effort by letting us handle removal for you, thus allowing you to focus on more exciting things—like lying in your hammock.

For to schedule your lawn debris and junk hauling appointment, contact 123JUNK today.

moving-packing-materials

What to do with Moving and Packing Materials

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Moving is hard! You not only have to pack up everything you own, transport it to your new home and then unpack and place it all, you have to worry about what to do with all the moving and packing materials afterwards.

You’re already exhausted from the move and the last thing you want to worry about is all the moving boxes that are piling up in your rooms or garage. Some of the most common packing items disposal dilemmas include:

  • Cardboard moving boxes. Mountains of cardboard are taking up space in your home, garage and stress limits.
  • Bubble wrap. You unwrapped the fragile items and now wonder what to do with all that bubble wrap other than use it to amuse the kids. The popping noise is driving you nuts.
  • Packing paper. Newspaper and other paper used to wrap items is taking over your living areas.
  • Packing peanuts. Especially-delicate items encased in packing peanuts to protect them are free, but so are all these small and clingy peanuts. They’re sticking to everything!
  • Plastic wrap. Wrappings for furniture or stretch wrap is really stressing you out.
  • Sealing boxes and securing packing materials is one thing. Getting rid of sticky tape is another.

Related: Learn about eco-friendly packing supplies.

123JUNK: The Easy Way to Remove Packing and Moving Materials From Your Home

Calm down. There’s an easier way to reduce the stress of moving and to remove all the materials that are cluttering up your home. It’s 123JUNK.

When you’re done moving is when we get started. We’ll gladly relieve you of all those annoying trappings of moving and either recycle them or dispose of them in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Want to know how we do it? We’re glad you asked. 123JUNK can assist with:

  • Removal and disposal of all of your unwanted packing materials, including cardboard boxes, packing paper, plastic wrap or film, Styrofoam, bubble wrap (sorry, kids!), air pillows, packing peanuts, tape, etc.
  • Recycling of recyclable materials like cardboard and paper.
  • Donations of usable packing materials, like unused packing paper or unique and undamaged boxes.
  • Convenience, with flexible scheduling to find a time that is convenient to you.
  • Free estimate of our service cost.

There’s no need for you to package up your loose packing materials or sort them on your own, but it’s best to have them gathered into one or two areas. Our professional team members are trained in how to sort packing materials into what can and cannot be recycled. It’s part of our 1-2-3 Process of Donate-Recycle-Dispose. And we’ll do it expediently because we want to get these items out of your hair as quickly as possible. We’ll even broom sweep the areas where they were previously located in order to leave a clean floor for you.

Contact 123JUNK Today

To learn more about 123JUNK’s 1-2-3 process of donate-recycle-dispose or to schedule your junk removal in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC or Maryland, contact us at 1-800-364-5778 or use our convenient contact form. Contact 123JUNK today to schedule your moving boxes and packing materials hauling appointment and get back to setting up your new home quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

Your Exercise Equipment Didn’t Work Out

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Did you set lofty fitness goals in January and purchase exciting new exercise equipment to help you work out at home, only to discover in a few months you’ve lost interest? You’re not alone. A survey study by Strava, a social network for athletes, found that January 12th is the day people are most motivated to stick to their New Year’s fitness goals. However, they also report that by the end of January, the athletes began to lose their momentum. By mid-February, activity decreased by 25%, and by year’s end, only about 10% of those who set fitness goals actually achieved them.

What does this mean for the typical person? Lots of unused exercise equipment in your home.

Exercise Equipment People Commonly Buy and Never Use

Many people buy home exercise equipment with the best intentions to use it regularly, but end up not using it as often as planned. Some of the most commonly-unused pieces include:

  • Treadmills
  • Stationary Bikes
  • Elliptical Machines
  • Ab Rollers and Ab Machines
  • Thigh Masters
  • Exercise Balls
  • Home Gyms
  • Rowing Machines
  • Stair Climbers
  • Shake Weights
  • Angle or Wrist Weights

Ultimately, the best pieces of exercise equipment are the ones you commit to using regularly, depending on your fitness goals and personal preferences. Some of the most-used items include:

  • Dumbbells—to build strength, tone muscles and increase bone density
  • Resistance Bands—to improve strength and flexibility
  • Jump Ropes—to burn calories, improve coordination and increase endurance
  • Yoga Mat—for floor-based exercises to cushion and support joints

Can Home Exercise Equipment Be Donated or Recycled?

Many types of home gym equipment can be donated or recycled, depending on the type of equipment and your location. If it is usable and could benefit someone else in reaching their fitness goals, donate it. If it is in poor or unusable condition, the recycling center can melt down metal equipment such as weight plates, dumbbells and barbells to turn them into new products, or recycle electronic components found in treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes.

123JUNK Can Responsibly Remove Your Old Exercise Equipment

123JUNK is a local junk removal company that can help you get rid of old exercise equipment in a responsible and eco-friendly manner. Here are some of the ways 123JUNK can help:

  • Free on-site estimate to get a better idea of the cost and time involved to remove your exercise equipment
  • Competitive pricing, with a detailed estimate provided prior to starting any work
  • A professional and friendly team who will safely remove and haul large or small fitness equipment away
  • Environmentally-responsible disposal by donation or recycling whenever possible
  • Same-day service for most junk removal jobs so you can get rid of your old exercise equipment quickly

Let 123JUNK Help with the Heavy Lifting to Clear Out or Donate Your Old Exercise Equipment

Large pieces of fitness equipment can be expensive, take up a lot of room in your home and require regular maintenance. Instead of letting them become clothes racks and eyesores, consider donating them. 123JUNK will be glad to deliver your items to one of our local charity partners.

With our 1-2-3 Process of minimal waste junk removal, we’ll take other pieces that can be recycled to the appropriate recycling center. This way, we can all work together to keep our environment healthy.

Don’t injure yourself or waste a weekend clearing out your unused fitness equipment. Let us do the heavy lifting! Our team members are trained in the correct way to lift and transport heavy objects without injury. And they take great pains to avoid damaging your walls or floors as they do it!

Contact 123JUNK today at 1-800-3654-5778 to schedule your junk hauling appointment in our Service Areas in Northern Virginia, Washington DC or Maryland.

moving-season-moving-boxes

Moving Season is Here: It’s Time to Clean Up and Clean Out!

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Springtime represents a rebirth, a return all things new. The excitement builds from the burst of color from the first spring flowers to the smell of the fresh spring air through open windows. Spring also represents a seasonal uptick in the real estate market as families look for new homes and give in to their itch for new opportunities. That’s right…moving season is here.

Moving Season: Staging a Home

If you are looking to sell your home and are working with a Realtor, they are likely to recommend staging your home in order to garner a quicker sale at a higher price. This means clearing out clutter and potentially removing furniture in order to create a more spacious-feeling interior.

Realtors also ask you to remove personal items. Potential buyers need to envision themselves living in the home and don’t need to be distracted by your family photos, awards and travel mementos. A clutter-free environment lets them picture their own furnishings and décor in the space.

You’ll likely want to decorate your new home in a new style, so take this time to donate your old furniture and unused household goods to a local charity rather than having to store or move them. When thinking about your new home, you probably picture it neat, clean and clutter free, so instead of packing up the old cutter, get rid of it! Make a clean start this moving season!

moving-season

Moving Season: Downsizing

When the kids have left the nest and you’re left rattling around in a house that’s too big for you, it may be time to think about downsizing. Discard the kids’ swingset, toys and leftover bedroom furniture to make room for your new lifestyle in a smaller home.

When downsizing, you’ll be living in a smaller, more manageable space, and you don’t want to overcrowd it by taking everything from your larger house with you. Look around and see what you no longer use. Take this opportunity to purchase new furniture that would be better-sized for your new home. Take pictures to create a memory book of childhood items, but don’t keep the items themselves.

Spring Cleaning

You know what else happens in springtime? Spring cleaning! Homeowners can’t wait to open the windows and enjoy outside living again, and the renewal of the seasons often sparks the urge to deep clean the house and yard.

During the months when we’re stuck inside, clutter can build up. And after a while, you don’t even notice it. You’ll be removing items from surfaces and shelves anyway to clean under them, so create several bins marked “donate” or “dispose” and as you remove items, get rid of the ones you don’t use any longer. That way it’s a one-step process and it’s done!

Trim branches and bushes and rake yard debris into one or more piles and let your junk removal company haul it off for you. How easy is that!

Garage and Shed Cleanouts

With spring arriving, you’re going to need to access the lawn equipment and tools again, so set aside a day for a garage and shed cleanout in order to make getting to them easier. Dump those rusted tools and mowers that no longer work, and that sporting equipment left over from sports you used to do. Go through boxes that have been stored there for years to see what you can get rid of. That way you’ll have more usable space for your cars, bicycles and what these spaces were intended for.

Moving Season and Spring Cleanouts are Easy with 123JUNK

123JUNK helps Realtors and homeowners throughout the Washington DC metropolitan region with moving season and spring cleanouts using our 1-2-3 Process of Donate-Recycle-Dispose. We’ll deliver items you want to donate, or divide out perfectly-good items, and deliver them to our local charity partners like A Wider Circle, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, Passion for Community or the Montgomery County Humane Society. If you’d like, we’ll provide you with a receipt for your donation.

We’ll also look for recyclables like electronics or old appliances and deliver those directly to the appropriate recycling station. We’ll then take what’s left over to the area landfill.

Spring is a time for renewal. New living spaces, spring cleaning, and cleanouts give you a fresh outlook for the warm weather to come.

Contact 123JUNK today to schedule your junk hauling or donation appointment.

get-better-price-when-selling-home

4 Ways Junk Removal Can Help Get a Better Price When Selling a Home

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Staging your home can increase its sales price by anywhere from 1% to 20%, depending on factors such as the home’s location and condition, current real estate market conditions, the home’s staging, and the overall appeal of the home to buyers.

4 Ways Junk Removal Can Help Get a Better Price When Selling Your Home

Junk removal can help get you a better price when selling your home in several ways:

  1. It increases curb appeal by making it more attractive. When potential buyers see a clutter-free property, they are more likely to perceive it as well-maintained and cared for, and can picture themselves living there more easily.
  2. It feels more spacious, which gives the impression of more useable living space, thus increasing the perceived value.
  3. It highlights your home’s best features such as large windows, high ceilings or beautiful hardwood floors without the distraction of clutter.
  4. It creates a better first impression, and an inviting and welcoming atmosphere that make potential buyers feel more comfortable.

Why is Staging Your Home Important?

Staging a home is an important part of the selling process. Removing junk and clutter and staging your home can help to:

  • Showcase your home’s potential and help potential buyers envision how each room can meet their needs and lifestyle.
  • Create a visually-appealing environment by positioning furniture and décor to draw attention to the property’s best features, while minimizing flaws.
  • Increase perceived value and create an emotional connection to the home, which can lead to potential buyers placing a higher value on the property.
  • Sell the home more quickly by making it stand out from other homes on the market. It also helps the seller appeal to a wider range of potential buyers, and generate more interest and showings.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the median amount spent on home staging is around $400, with 23% of Realtors reporting an increase of 1% to 5%, and 18% reporting an increase of 6% to 10%. However, it’s important to note that staging is just one factor that can impact the sales price.

What Realtors Recommend Removing When Selling Your Home

The goal of clearing out items is to make the home look clean, spacious and neutral so potential buyers can truly see themselves living in the space. Realtors recommend removing:

  • Personal items such as family photos, heirlooms and other sentimental items.
  • Clutter such as magazines, knick-knacks, decorative items from trips, and other items that take up visual space.
  • Excess furniture that can make a home look cluttered or cramped.
  • Outdated or worn items such as old curtains, furniture or décor. These should either be removed altogether or replaced with newer, more modern items to update the look and feel of the home.
  • Excess storage items including boxes, containers and other storage solutions that may be cluttering up storage areas like the attic, garage or spare rooms. You’ll be moving anyway, so find off-site storage while you’re selling your home.
  • Pet items like toys, beds and litter boxes should be removed during showings. This can help potential buyers who are allergic to pets or who may not be pet-friendly feel more comfortable.
  • Strong odors such as cigarette smoke, pet odors or cooking smells can be a turn-off. It’s important to keep the home smelling fresh and clean.

Related: 15 Home Staging Essentials

How 123JUNK Can Help You Sell Your Home

123JUNK’s junk removal and hauling service can help you sell your home quicker and potentially get a better price by creating a cleaner, more organized and spacious environment that will appeal to potential buyers. We can help with:

  • Decluttering to make the space look bigger and more open.
  • Safety, by removing hazardous or bulky items that could pose a risk to potential buyers, such as an old appliance or broken furniture.
  • Better showcasing of your home to emphasize the unique selling points.
  • Savings of time and energy by taking the task of removing and disposing of unwanted items off your hands.
  • Environmental benefits by donating or recycling items and thus reducing waste.

To learn more about 123JUNK’s 1-2-3 process of donate-recycle-dispose or to schedule your junk removal, contact us at 1-800-364-5778 or use our convenient contact form.

Out With Outdated Furniture Décor Trends

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

No doubt, you were probably excited about the furniture you purchased way back when. Especially if it was included in one of the latest design trends. Now that we’re in a new century, that furniture may be looking a little dated, so it’s out with the outdated furniture décor trends and in with the new.

Design trends change constantly, and choosing one that will stand the test of time can be challenging. Remember shag carpets, wallpaper borders and tiled countertops? Once they were all the rage! So were the items of furniture you couldn’t live without that now you should.

Outdated Furniture Décor Trends

Some of the most common pieces of furniture that are now considered outdated include:

  • Oversized entertainment centers. With the popularity of flat-screen TVs and streaming services, large entertainment centers that were designed to hold tube televisions and other electronics are no longer needed.
  • Bulky sectional sofas. While some families still enjoy the comfort of a large sectional sofa, your family may no longer need it. Besides, it takes up a lot of space and may be covered in an outdated fabric or color.
  • Heavy armoires. Once popular for storing clothing and linens, oversized armoires and difficult to design around with today’s modern décor styles.
  • Clunky coffee tables. A heavy, blocky coffee table can make a living room or den feel cluttered and outdated. Consider replacing it with a lighter, more streamlined option.
  • Traditional china cabinets. Because formal dining is less common, the need for fancy china and china cabinets has waned. If you have one taking up valuable space in your home, consider donating it.

outdated furniture decor trends

Other outdated décor trends include:

  • Heavy, ornate furniture with intricate details. This trend has given way to simpler, more streamlined designs.
  • Matching furniture sets, like a sofa and loveseat. Now is the time to infuse your eclectic and personal style!
  • Busy patterns. Today’s furniture design emphasizes a more understated and minimalistic look, with solid colors or subtle patterns.
  • Brass and gold accents. While metallic accents are still popular, brass and gold finishes have become outdated. Nowadays, furniture design features muted metals like brushed nickel, copper or matte black.

Related: 10 Interior Design Trends Going Away in 2022

Know the Difference Between Junk Furniture and Antiques

Just because your furniture is old doesn’t mean it is a valuable antique. There is a distinct difference. Junk furniture refers to furniture that is no longer functional, useful or in good condition. Or it can refer to furniture of low-quality materials, poor design or simply outdated.

On the other hand, antique furniture refers to furniture considered to be of historical or artistic significance. It is more than 100 years old, and made from high-quality materials with expert craftsmanship and unique design elements. It can be very valuable. Some common types of antique furniture include Victorian-era pieces, Art Nouveau and Art Deco designs, and mid-century modern.

It is important to note that not all old furniture is antique, neither is all furniture that is no longer functional or in good condition necessarily junk furniture. Many factors can influence the value and significance of a piece, including its age, style, design, materials and condition. If you’re unsure of a piece’s value, consult with an expert.

Let 123JUNK Relieve You of Your Outdated Furniture Décor Trends

One of the best ways to unload outdated furniture is to donate it. That way it can be used to fund some of your community’s charitable organizations. With 123JUNK’s 1-2-3 Process of Donate-Recycle-Dispose, we’ll gladly pick up furniture you no longer want or need and deliver it on your behalf to one of our charity partners. You’ll receive a receipt in return for your tax deductions and the good feeling that you’ve done your bit to help others.

Think of other items besides your furniture that needs to go. We’ll take that too! Household goods, clothing, electronics, yard tools—even your old appliances. We’ll divide out items for donation and those that can be recycled and deliver them to their appropriate destinations, and take whatever’s left over to the landfill.

Take the time to enjoy your uncluttered space and dream about the new décor trends that will soon fill it up! It’s fun getting new furniture!

Contact 123JUNK for Furniture Removal in DC, MD, NoVA

When you’re ready for your furniture removal, contact 123JUNK at 1-800-364-5778. We work with home and business owners throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland and the Washington, DC metro area.

get-rid-of-sentimental-clutter

How Do I Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter?

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

Feeling sentimental about objects is real. There are many emotions surrounding them because they often hold personal memories and meaningful connections to people, places and events. When you try to let go of these items, you may feel an intense sense of loss, guilt or even grief—you are essentially releasing a part of your history. Unfortunately, without being able to cull items from your home, they can accumulate and create a cluttered situation. But with so much involved, how do you get rid of this sentimental clutter?

What is Sentimental Clutter?

Sentimental clutter refers to items that hold a special meaning or emotional connection. An item becomes sentimental when related to personal memories, experiences or significant events in your life. They bring back positive memories that makes them difficult to part with, even if they no longer serve a practical purpose in your life.

Over time, the accumulation of sentimental clutter can lead to disorganized and overwhelming living areas, making it difficult to find storage for them or navigate around them, and taking up valuable space. Your environment is no longer relaxing.

Some examples can include:

  • Childhood toys or games
  • Family heirlooms
  • Pictures and photo albums
  • Letters, cards and notes from loved ones
  • Mementos from travel and vacations
  • Arts and crafts made by children
  • Wedding and engagement rings
  • Clothing and accessories from special events
  • Awards and certificates

What Should I Keep?

The decision on what to keep depends on your personal preferences and the item’s emotional significance. Here are some guidelines on what to keep:

  • Items that bring you joy and have a strong emotional connection
  • Items with practical value like jewelry you wear regularly
  • Items with sentimental value to others such a gift from a loved one
  • Items with historical significance like old family photographs or letters that may be of interest to future generations

How to Remember Sentimental Items

It’s not necessarily the item itself, but the memories you want to preserve. To remember sentimental items you don’t want to keep, and hold on to them in different ways, try these ideas:

  • Take photographs before disposing of the items
  • Write a journal entry of your memories and associated thoughts, and make the journal the keepsake
  • Create a memory box for small items
  • Keep a digital record with scans or important documents or digital photographs
  • Share you stories with loved ones to keep the legacy alive
  • Repurpose items by turning them into something new, like making a quilt from old clothes or a piece of jewelry from broken pieces.

How Do I Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter?

What’s important is to evaluate the sentimental value of each item, and only keep those that hold real significance and bring joy. To help eliminate items, try these steps:

  • Separate items into categories such as sentimental value, practical value and emotional value.
  • Ask yourself if the item still holds sentimental value and brings joy to your life. If not, let it go.
  • Choose a course of action. Decide what you will do with each item: keep it, donate it, or toss it. Create bins for each category and place each item in its appropriate bin.
  • Store or display. For items you decide to keep, create dedicated storage or display areas to preserve them property and protect them from damage
  • Let go. Once you’ve made your decision to donate or toss, take action to let them go.

Related: 13 Tips on How to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter Without Feeling Guilty

A Junk Removal Company like 123JUNK Can Help You Release Sentimental Clutter

A junk removal company like 123JUNK provides a convenient and efficient solution for disposing of items you no longer need or want. Their services include:

  • Pick up/removal. Your junk removal company will come to your home and remove the items, saving you the time and energy of having to dispose of them yourself.
  • Respectful handling. At 123JUNK, we train our team members on courtesy and respect. They understand that getting rid of sentimental clutter is stressful, and that there are a lot of emotions involved. They know how to handle your objects carefully and respectfully to reduce the stress and emotional burden of letting them go.
  • Junk removal companies like 123JUNK also have a donation component, where perfectly-good items are delivered to local charity partners to be repurposed back into the community, or used to raise funds for charitable causes.
  • Based on an items suitability and usability, some items may be better off being recycled than donated or taken to the local landfill.
  • Peace of mind. Your junk removal service takes care of the entire process to ensure that your sentimental clutter is disposed of properly and ethically.

What’s most important is to be kind to yourself. Understand that handling sentimental items is emotional, but not disabling. Give yourself permission to let go of items that no longer serve a purpose in your life, and don’t feel guilty.

123JUNK: The First Choice for Junk Removal in NoVa, MD and DC

If your home is located in Northern Virginia, Maryland or Washington DC, contact 123JUNK. You’ll love the fact that you talk with a live person when you call, and that all our team members are trained to be courteous and respectful. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

When you call, learn about our 1-2-3 process of Donate-Recycle-Dispose, and our flat fee, all-inclusive pricing. Call us today at 1-800-364-5778 to schedule your junk removal pickup.

9 Ways to Fake a Clean House

Posted on | by Linda Barrett

When talking about your home, do you often describe it as “lived in?” You’re comfortable with the overstuffed couch and the everyday clutter, and you don’t consider it dirty. But when unexpected guests arrive, do you find yourself making excuses like, “Oh, this week was so busy, I didn’t have time to pick up,” or “We don’t normally live like this.” Except that you do! If this sounds like you, you may like this post that includes these 9 ways to fake a clean house!

9 Ways to Fake a Clean House

Clear the Entry

The first rooms your guests step into are their first impression of your home. That’s where you should pay the most attention to living clutter-free. If this is a drop zone, place baskets or assign hooks or cubbies where family members can place their items neatly when they come in. Install cabinets or baskets with lids to hide clutter. Take a moment to sweep this area regularly and you won’t be so embarrassed to open the front door!

Have “Formal Rooms”

In Victorian times, the lady of the house would invite guests into her formal rooms, which were always kept up to standards for visitors. If your home has formal rooms, set up comfortable seating and usher your visitors into these areas and keep family areas private. That way it won’t matter if you are messy in your own areas. Always keep the guest bathroom clean as well.

Use Hiding Places

Remember when you were a kid and your mom asked you if you cleaned your room? You always said “Yes,” even though all you did was stuff everything into your closet and hoped she wouldn’t look there. Or you folded just the top layer of clothing in your drawer to give the illusion of neatness. Use these same tricks as an adult and stuff your clutter into drawers, closets and cabinets. (Even under the couch—temporarily.) Once the doors are closed (if they can close), your rooms look tidy and you feel like you have a clean house!

Set Up Zones

There’s a rule in business of “touch it once.” That means when you pick something up, don’t set it down anywhere—deal with it and place it where it is ultimately supposed to go. You can do this in your own house to give the illusion of neatness. Assign zones where items should be placed when you’re done using them. A toybox to hold toys. A basket to stack magazines and books. A rack to hold unread mail. Collections of items look tidier than having them randomly scattered on furniture, the floor and throughout the room.

Related: 20 Ways to Organize With Baskets

Use Cover-Ups

If your couch is covered with animal fur, or your kids have left stains on the chairs with their juice boxes, guests will have hesitation about sitting on them. Cover up these unsightly spots quickly with throws or furniture covers you keep on hand to quickly toss over these pieces of furniture.

Scoop and Run

When a friend calls and asks if they can drop by, grab the laundry basket and scoop everything that’s out of place into it for a really quick pick-up. Stash the basket in your bedroom out of sight. You can always sort through these things later to put them away where they belong.

Toss It

Is your home filled with papers, junk mail, wrappers, old magazines and other clutter? It may be time to get a big trash bag and toss out these extraneous items. There’s no need to collect things that are obviously junk.

Be Conscientious

Because we’re so busy with work, family and outside interests, we often drop and run, without noticing how clutter is building up. After a while, you don’t even see it. It only comes to light when you see it through a guest’s eyes. Set a habit of being conscientious about not cluttering your home and you’ll feel better about living in a clean house and having friends over.

Call 123JUNK

Do you feel overwhelmed by the amount of clutter in your home? Let 123JUNK help. We’ll gladly remove excess or broken furniture and household items, paper, electronics, appliances, tools, toys and yard equipment—pretty much anything you’d like to get rid of.

With our 1-2-3 Process of of Donate-Recycle-Dispose, we’ll cull out anything we think is perfectly good and donate those items to one of our local charity partners who can use them to support a local family in need. For appliances, metals, paper and electronics, we’ll deliver what can be recycled to the local recycling center for safe disposal. Only then do we take the rest to the area landfill for disposal. It’s our part—and your part—of protecting our environment and our local community.

For Junk Removal in Northern VA, Maryland and Washington DC, Call 123JUNK Today

We know you’re busy, so we try to keep our process simple. Call us to speak to a live operator who can explain our process, give you a price, and set up your pickup appointment. Before we arrive, we’ll give you a courtesy call to let you know we’re on our way. And when we get there, show us what you’d like us to remove. We’ll take a moment to lay down protection on your floors and walls, if needed, and get straight to work. In no time, your home will feel tidy and you won’t have to fake a clean house. What a relief!

To learn more or to set your junk removal appointment, contact 123JUNK at 1-800-364-5778.