28 March 2016
 Categories: , Articles

It's amazing how much junk can accumulate in your home when children are involved. Just moving a single couch alone can reveal random kid's meal toys from fast food restaurants that you didn't even remember purchasing. Instead of letting this junk accumulate, you can help get rid of it and keep your home as clutter-free as possible. When raising children, there are three key ages where it's time to rent a dumpster and haul off a lot of the trash. Every child is different so these ages may fluctuate a year or two, but following this guide will help you select the best time for dumpster rentals and truly cleaning out your home.

Age 3

One of the first times to truly rent is a dumpster is when your child turns the age of three. This is the true toddler year as diapers are eliminated, your child grows more independent, and the items they use on a daily basis are vastly different. When renting a dumpster, one of the main things to dispose of are unwanted baby items. This includes high-chairs, baby toys, or accessories like bouncers. If baby gates are no longer used, then it's easy to just toss them right in the dumpster.

One of the largest pieces of furniture to get rid of near this age is the crib. As you transition from a crib to a toddler bed, you can easily toss the whole crib right into a dumpster. Other bulky items like car seats and strollers can get tossed in the dumpster as well. It will feel good to start fresh and welcome your baby into full-blown childhood.

Age 12

From the ages of 3 to 12, you child has likely accumulated all types of toys and items like dolls, action figures, stuffed animals, and battery operated devices that haven't worked in years. As your child is about to enter their teenage years, it's a good time to clean out and perform a reset on the items they use. When renting a dumpster, you have the time to go through all of the toys and items to see what a child even uses. You can take an old toy box, fill it up and just place the whole thing into the dumpster.  For toys that were new or barely used, your child can separate them and find an ideal donation location for kids in need.

Bulky items that can be placed in the dumpster at this age includes children's furniture that's too small, collections of old clothes, or a number of backyard toys. Small bicycles, power wheels, or large water guns can all be thrown in the trash. It may seem hard to get rid of some sentimental items, but think of the memories or any images that you can look back on instead of just letting these things collect dust.

Age 17

The teenage years are nearly over and as your child prepares for future after high school, you can prepare to clean out your home. One of the biggest areas that a dumpster can benefit from at this age is a garage or shed. As your child transitions into the world of driving and adulthood, you may want to get rid of items like bikes, basketball hoops, skateboards, or sports accessories like old baseball bats.

This is also a great time to evaluate the furniture that your teenager has. You can dispose of old mattresses and furniture that is no longer needed. Your teenager can go through clothes and shoes to see what items are no longer needed. If your child is attending college, then this is a great time to minimize the amount of "stuff" they own. Dispose of old electronics, appliances, and bathroom accessories that are not used anymore.

To help make the clean-out easier, you can rent dumpsters for a week or more at a time. This allows you to slowly clean out the home and bring items out each time you go outside.