Decluttering your home isn’t only good for your peace of mine–you may also come upon certain items that may be valuable! While you’re organizing and cleaning, keep an eye out for the following:

• Coins. Next time you sweep the couch cushions for loose change, take a look at them before you toss them in the change jar. Look for coins that were only in circulation for a short time, or coins with minting errors, like double dates. Unlike everything else on this list, dirty coins tend to sell for higher prices, so don’t clean them before you take them in for appraisal. 
• Comic Books. Should you stumble on a comic featuring the first ever appearance of a popular character, consider yourself very lucky–a copy of Action Comics #1, the first appearance of Superman, sold for over $3 million! But for the rest of us, keep an eye out for older comics (pre-1970s) in good condition. Books about popular characters (such as anything with a movie) with low issue numbers are your best bet.
• Art. Like comics, the condition of a piece of art is going to have a big impact on its value. Art tends to be subjective in its pricing, but generally an original will be worth more than a print or reproduction. Contact local museums and galleries to find reputable dealers to help you price art.
• Stamps. These are similar to coins. Stamps that only circulated for a short time or stamps with manufacturing errors are your best bet. The better the condition they’re in, the better the price they are likely to fetch.

If you’ve been hanging on to something just because you think it might be valuable, speak with a qualified, reputable dealer to get a fair assessment. After you’ve sorted out what to keep and what to sell, call Mr. Junk in Metro Atlanta to get rid of everything else!

Every year, Americans produce about 230 million tons of trash. Only about a quarter of that gets recycled! Recycling at home can seem like a big job, so at Mr. Junk in Metro Atlanta, we’ve put together some tips to set up home recycling.

First, know what is and isn’t recyclable in your home city or county. Depending on where in Metro Atlanta you live, that can change. Check your local listings for the City of Atlanta, Cherokee County, Gwinnett County, Dekalb County, or Cobb County. Some locations may have curb-side recycle; others may require a trip to the recycling center.  

Once you know what can be recycled, and where to recycle it, it’s time to set up your home recycling. Set aside a dedicated recycling container in your kitchen, bathroom, and anywhere else you throw out a lot of things, like a craft room. Some municipalities give free or discounted recycling bins, or you can simply pick up a different trash can at the store. Make sure the recycling bin is distinct from the bin you use for trash so you don’t confuse it. While you’re still getting use to it, put a list of recyclables on the wall behind the bin.

Remember, Mr. Junk recycles over 75% of the material we remove! We also donate items, and do all we can to ensure we don’t throw away anything more than we have to. If you have big hauling jobs, or even little ones, contact us first–you only pay for what we haul!

Moving in together is a huge step in a relationship! It’s exciting, but can also be a challenge. How do you merge two lives into one space? Here at Mr. Junk, we’ve got you covered. Check out our tips for organizing as a couple. 

Especially if both people in the relationship have lived on their own, you’ll probably wind up with a lot of duplicate items: two couches, two TVs, two sets of dishes, even two beds. Go through everything and see what you have. Decide how many of each item you need to keep. If you have a second bedroom, will it be a guest room, or an office? If you each only have a couple of place settings you could combine them, but be honest and ruthless here. How many plates do you really need? Discuss what colors and designs you like best as a couple, and see how your possessions fit into those parameters.

Once you’ve determined how much to keep, it’s time to discuss what to toss. Remember that this process is all about compromise. Each person should decide on a small number of items they really love and want to keep, whether it’s an antique desk, a really comfy couch, or a cherished collection, and be prepared to negotiate on everything else. As a general rule of thumb it’s probably best to keep items that are newer or nicer, like flat screen TVs, or have sentimental value, like grandma’s china.

Once you’ve decided what to keep and what to get rid of, contact Mr. Junk in Metro Atlanta. We don’t just cart your junk away. We also donate and recycle everything we can, and we even sweep up after ourselves!

The messiest room in the house is probably also the one your family uses most regularly–the bathroom! From half-empty hair products to old medicine, bathrooms tend to collect a lot of clutter. Since it’s so small, all that clutter builds up quickly! Here are some tips to declutter your bathroom, and reorganize it to prevent further disasters. 

• Get Rid of Junk! First things first: go through all the items in your bathroom and make sure you actually use them. Check makeup, nail polish, shampoo and conditioner bottles, medicines, linens, towels, shaving supplies, and even the scary places under the sink. Mr. Junk can pick up all your bathroom clutter and donate, recycle, or throw it away.
• Everything in Its Place. Once you’ve pared down to only the things you need, make sure everything has a place. The less you store on the counter, the better. Assign each member of the family a drawer. If you don’t have enough drawer space for everyone to have their own, a gallon-size plastic baggie will help contain each person’s items.
• Stop Problems Before They Start. Do you find lots of dirty clothes on the bathroom floor? Move a hamper inside and put it where the clothes land! A lot of packaging from bathroom items can be recycled–consider adding a  recycling bin next to your bathroom trash can. Put everyday items like soap and toothpaste in easy reach, and look for creative storage solutions like pencil cases for makeup or coffee mugs for toothbrushes.

When you’re finished decluttering your bathroom (or any space), call Mr. Junk in metro Atlanta for efficient, courteous, affordable junk removal!

Getting kids to help clean can be a struggle, and that’s partly because no matter how you slice it, house cleaning is a real drag. When there are so many more interesting things to do, how can house cleaning compete? Here are some tips to make chores easier and help deeper cleans go more smoothly: 

• Take Breaks. Everyone needs breaks when they’re working. Try the 20/10 system: set a timer for 20 minutes, and make sure everyone works on their task without stopping. Once the timer goes off, set it again for 10 minutes, and everyone gets to take a short break. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in just 20 minutes! For littler kids, of course, you’ll want to adjust the times appropriately.
• Age-Appropriate Tasks. Toddlers can follow you around and help pick things up, while you give older kids the tasks that require a little more elbow grease, like vacuuming or cleaning the windows. Kids in the middle can help fold laundry, check expiration dates in the fridge, sort recycling, and any other tasks you have.
• Make it Fun. Think like Mary Poppins – “You find the fun, and snap! The job’s a game!” Put on some fun music, dance around and tell jokes or stories while you work or have competitions to see who can match socks the fastest or make windows the shiniest. 
• Reward Yourselves. You’ve been working hard, so do something fun! Consider small rewards like stickers for smaller tasks, and larger rewards like a trip to the movies for finishing entire rooms.

While you’re cleaning, don’t forget to declutter! The more junk you get rid of, the less you’ll have to clean in the future. Contact Mr. Junk for efficient, considerate, affordable junk removal in the metro Atlanta area. We’ll take care of your mess!

Thursday, August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day! If there are thrift stores near you, now is a great time to check them for sales and specials, or to go through your home for items to donate. We at Mr. Junk in metro Atlanta have put together a couple of hints to remember when looking for items to donate. 

When you think of decluttering your home, do you imagine all your old items being thrown away to clutter up a landfill? With Mr. Junk, you don’t have to worry about that. When we haul your junk away, we don’t just throw it out; we go through your old stuff and donate or recycle everything that we can. 

When you look for items to donate, remember the cardinal rule: all items should be clean, gently used (or new), and intact, which is to say that containers should have tops and games should have all their tokens. Here’s a short list of items many thrift stores can’t accept, whether for safety or sanitary reasons:

• Used underwear (unopened packs of new underwear are a great item to donate!)
• Helmets
• Anything hazardous (paint, oil, any items that use fuel, etc)
• Infant safety items 
• Construction materials, lawn debris, etc
• Mattresses and bedding

Some thrift stores can accept large furniture, appliances, and specialty items with advance notice but others can’t. Rather than call around trying to figure out who will take your items, contact Mr. Junk and let us donate furniture, clothing, and appliances for you!

With school right around the corner, families are probably feeling pretty chaotic. Having a clean, organized home is a huge step to feeling confident and and happy in new routines. Get a fresh start for the new school year with these organization tips!

• Get Everyone Involved. Don’t try to do it all yourself! Make a list and split up tasks so that everyone participates. When your family completes a room or project, treat yourselves to something fun like a trip for ice cream or to see a movie. 
• Handle the Closet. With all the shopping you’ll be doing for new outfits, now is a perfect time to handle overflowing wardrobes. Try on everything, and be brutally honest about it. Doesn’t fit? Doesn’t get worn? Doesn’t meet the dress code? Falling apart? Say goodbye! This is also a great time to swap out parts of the summer wardrobe. While it doesn’t hurt to hang on to some shorts right now, slowly packing away summer clothes in exchange for winter ones will make that project easier later.
• Declutter. Don’t just get rid of old clothes–look at school supplies, books, DVDs (or even VHS tapes), bathroom supplies, games, last year’s schoolwork, even kitchenware and furniture. Pile up your junk and call Mr. Junk; we can pick up almost anything. Remember, the more junk you get rid of, the more space you’ll have for living!
• Create Zones. Designate a Backpack Zone for backpacks, lunches, and coats near the door. When kids come in from school, they can dump everything there rather than trailing it through the house. Similarly, set up a Homework Zone for each student, stock with supplies, and keep distractions at bay.

When you’re ready to dump your junk, Mr. Junk in metro Atlanta is your best bet for quick, clean, courteous service. Request your free quote today!

With Labor Day sales right around the corner, and the holiday shopping season starting soon after that, now is a great time to start thinking about new furniture, even for your office or business. Getting new chairs, desks, etc. is always fun, but what do you do with the old office furniture?

First things first: make sure you know what you have. Before you can decide what you need, it’s best to get a clear picture of the needs of your office. Ask every employee how their furniture is holding up, and what they’d like to replace. Consider using an online form that will allow you to export information into a spreadsheet. This is also a great time to consider improvements to office ergonomics. Of course, you don’t have to meet every single request (does Accounts Receivable really need a sauna?), but it’s a good place to start. 

After you’ve ordered your shiny new office furniture, contact Mr. Junk to remove the old stuff. We will give you a free quote and work with you to create a pickup schedule that works with yours, whether that’s during the workday or after hours. Our movers are professional and courteous, and will haul your junk with extra care for your office space. We will carefully sort through all your debris, donate or recycle whatever we can, and even sweep up after ourselves. Save yourself and your employees the headaches of moving furniture and let Mr. Junk handle it.

When you’re ready to start planning for new office furniture, don’t forget to think about the old stuff too. Contact Mr. Junk in metro Atlanta!

One of the best parts of summer is hanging out with friends on the porch, in the backyard, or on the patio. But is your space up to scratch? If you ignored it for most of spring, it may still need a little TLC. Here are some tips for tidying up your outdoor space this summer.

• • Pick up Debris. Whether fallen branches, especially from summer storms, leaves left over from winter (or even fall), toys, or pet mess, pick up all the most obvious things before you go any farther. This is a great project for kids to help with.
  • Lawn and Garden Care. Now it’s time to prune, weed, rake, and mow everything. Trim the trees, cut the grass, get rid of the weeds, and rake like you’ve never raked before! 
  • Patio/Porch Care. Sweep and vacuum your patio or porch. If your porch is particularly in need of cleaning, or you’re feeling particularly energetic, consider mopping or even scrubbing it–or at least hosing it down.
  • Furniture Care. Tend to your outdoor furniture, either by wiping down plastic, throwing slipcovers in the washing machine, or vacuuming padded chairs. If you discover mildew problems, a little white vinegar in a spray bottle will help take care of it. Check out our other cleaning hacks.

Once you’ve done that, call Mr. Junk! Piles of lawn debris, broken toys, and furniture that can’t be salvaged have to go somewhere, so contact Mr. Junk for a free quote and to schedule a pickup!

With the right care, your outdoor space can be a wonderful addition to your home, especially in the summer and fall. Let Mr. Junk help with all your junk removal in the metro Atlanta area!