In South Florida, the garage is where stuff goes to be forgotten. Boxes from the last move, a broken bike, three coolers and a paint can from 2015. This garage cleanout checklist helps you tackle it one step at a time, so you can actually park a car in there again.
Step 1: Pick a day and clear the driveway
Start early, before it gets too hot. Pull everything out onto the driveway so you can see it all. Yes, everything. It's the only way to know what you really have. Keep water nearby, because Florida garages in summer are basically saunas.
Step 2: Sort into three piles
- Keep. Stuff you used in the last year or really need, like tools, hurricane supplies and holiday decorations.
- Donate. Things that work and someone else could use. Bikes, furniture, kids' toys, sports gear and clothes.
- Toss. Broken, rusted, moldy or mystery items. Be honest. If you didn't know it was there, you won't miss it.
Quick rule: if you're holding it and can't decide, it goes in the donate pile.
Step 3: Pull out the hazardous stuff
Every garage has some. These items can't go in a regular junk haul, and we can't take them either:
- Old paint and stains
- Solvents, thinners and pool or lawn chemicals
- Propane tanks that aren't empty
- Medical waste
Set them aside in one spot. Then check your county's household hazardous waste drop-off. Both Broward and Palm Beach Counties offer one.
Step 4: Figure out what's getting hauled
Here's the stuff we take out of garages all the time:
- Old furniture, shelving and workbenches
- Fridges and freezers (see our appliance removal page)
- Bikes, grills (empty propane tank or none), and lawn equipment
- Treadmills, weight benches and old home gym gear
- Boxes, bags, toys and general clutter
- Scrap metal and old electronics
Usable items get donated when possible. Metal and electronics get recycled when we can. If we find documents, photos, jewelry or cash in a box, we set them aside for you.
Step 5: Use the city pickup, or skip it
Your city's bulk pickup is free, but it has limits, and a full garage usually blows right past them. Piles over the limit get tagged. Our post on bulk trash pickup limits explains how it works. If the pile is too big, or your HOA doesn't allow curb piles, we haul it straight from the garage.
Step 6: Set the garage up for hurricane season
A clean garage is a big help when a storm is coming. Once the junk is gone, you've got room to:
- Park your car inside instead of out in the wind
- Bring in patio furniture, grills and potted plants so they don't become flying objects
- Store shutters, plywood and storm supplies where you can grab them
- Keep water, batteries and a generator easy to reach
What a garage cleanout costs
We price by how much of our trailer your stuff fills. Loads start at $105 to $125 for a minimum and go up to $600 to $650 for a full trailer, so a half-empty garage costs a lot less than one packed to the door. Heavy items like workbenches and safes can add to it. Labor, loading, dump fees and sweep-up are all included. See the full list on our pricing section, or read more about our garage cleanout service.
Consider it your leg day off. We do the lifting, you do the pointing.
Related service: Garage Cleanouts