Your garage is a great place to store things–maybe even too good. It’s so easy to just throw junk in there, intending to deal with it eventually, and never get around to it. Out of sight usually means out of mind, after all. Here are some tips to organize your garage so you’ll have more space for summer DIY projects and winter storage, not to mention your car!

• Be Ruthless. Do you really need all those bent nails? Consider carefully what you plan to keep versus what you’re going to get rid of. If you haven’t used something all year, do you really think you’ll need it next year? Remember that Mr. Junk can haul all your junk from anywhere in metro Atlanta, and we recycle or donate everything we can. 
• Creative Storage Solutions. Get some old-school lockers and assign one to each member of the family for rain gear, out-of-season outerwear, sports equipment, etc. This will make it easier to find things when they’re needed, and keep them out from underfoot. Have an old dresser hanging around? Use it to store smaller pieces like nails and tools all in one place.
• Label Everything. Don’t leave any opportunity for people (including yourself) to say they don’t know where things go!

Don’t forget, the key to organizing almost any room is to get rid of what you don’t need. Mr. Junk will carefully, efficiently, and affordably remove all your unwanted stuff, handle it in the most eco-conscious way possible, and even sweep up after ourselves. Get a free quote today!

Ready for a declutter challenge? There are so many things we hang on to that we don’t need. Summer is a great time to take stock, so here are ten things to get rid of right now!

1. Clothes. You hate that sweater, can’t fit into those jeans, and never wear that coat, so why are you keeping them around? Getting rid of clothes you don’t need will cut down on laundry as well as free up closet space.
2. Extra Toys. Teaching kids to donate unused toys will help them learn good housekeeping habits and keep toy clutter to a minimum now.
3. Excess Utensils. If you’re constantly at war with your silverware drawer, consider paring down. How many forks do you really need?
4. Coffee Mugs. You can only use one mug at a time, after all. 
5. Linens. It’s good to have extra sheets on hand in case of emergencies, but there’s still a limit to how many you should keep. Consider one set for each bed, and one extra (two extra if you have young kids).
6. Unmatched Socks. Keep solo socks in a designated sock basket for one full wash cycle, but if you haven’t found a mate for them after that, throw them out.
7. Old Paper. Magazines, receipts, mail, flyers–once you know you don’t need them, resist the urge to hang on to them.
8. Unread Books. Looking over your bookshelf, think about the last time you wanted to read the books there. Unless you have a copy that’s special somehow (a first edition, autographed copy, or perhaps an inscribed copy that was a gift), get rid of any book you haven’t thought about in months, and then get a library card!  
9. Unwatched Movies. Do the same with your movies as you did with your books.
10. Old Electronics. This includes extension cords and old phones!

When you’re ready to get rid of the excess things cluttering up your home, call Mr. Junk in metro Atlanta. We sort through everything you have us pick up, and donate or recycle as much as we possibly can.

At Mr. Junk we believe strongly in the importance of recycling as an important part of reducing waste. But that’s kind of vague; what exactly are the benefits of recycling, and why is it so important?

Most obviously, recycling reduces the use of natural resources, which means fewer new materials that must be mined, extracted, or created. That helps protect natural habitats. Recycling uses less energy than creating new materials, even when you include transportation costs. Recycling contributes much less to air and water pollution much less than mining, extracting, quarrying, and logging resources to make new items. Finally, recycling decreases the amount of trash that gets incinerated or sent to a landfill, saving both energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and landfill space.

We’re all trying to recycle more and declutter our homes, but how can you do both at once? Each of these tasks can feel overwhelming! The solution is simple: contact Mr. Junk in Marietta! We only charge for what we pick up, and our dedicated, professional staff will be careful and considerate in your home. We even clean up after ourselves. Once we haul your junk away, we diligently sort through everything you have us pick up, and either recycle or donate all we can. Plus, our commercial recycling contacts allow us to recycle items you may not have access to, or even think possible!

Visit our website to get a free quote today, or contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Let us prove to you that Mr. Junk is the best junk removal service in Marietta!

A trip to the flea market can bring new treasures if you know how to look for them. Here are some tips to find hidden gems at the flea market.

• Do your research. Read up on antique magazine and trade publications, which have a wealth of information for flea market hopefuls. If there’s a specific type of object you’re interested in collecting, look for books about it. And don’t forget an important resource–antique dealers! Not only are their shops fun to explore, but good dealers can help you learn about where they procured items and what to look for. They can also turn you on to the best flea markets in the area.
• Come early. The best time to search flea markets is during the early morning, soon after opening. Not only will outdoor flea markets be cooler, but the serious buyers will be there doing business already. In fact, a lot of transactions may have already happened in the parking lot. 
• Be thorough. Walk the aisles back and forth, looking at objects from different angles, and try not to be too specific about what you’re looking for. Being too focused on specifics can blind you to real treasures. Bring a flashlight and glass to look closer at items, and your smartphone to do research in the moment.
• Be patient. Searching for treasures at a flea market is not usually quick and easy. Prepare to spend a good amount of time looking. Get lots of sleep the night before, wear comfy shoes, bring a snack, and make your trip an adventure!

Before you go to the flea market, don’t forget to clear space for your new treasures by having Mr. Junk remove your old stuff! We service the whole metro Atlanta area with efficient, customer-focused junk removal.

May was National Moving Month! If you’ve moved recently, or if you’re considering a move to a new house in the future, you know how stressful it can be. Here are some tips to help your move go more smoothly.

• The Essentials Box. This doesn’t have to be a box, but be sure you pack all your essential items together in an easily accessible place–moving contracts and paperwork, a box cutter, a change of clothes, jackets, toiletries like toothbrushes and contact solution, chargers for your most-used electronics, a roll of toilet paper, pillows and sheets, any important medication, etc. This box should be the last thing you pack and load on the truck or into the car, and the first thing you unpack. 
• Be Ruthless. Packing to move is a great time to declutter! Having to handle each item in the house forces you to decide if you are really going to use it again. If you can’t honestly say yes, get rid of it! Don’t worry about how–Mr. Junk can safely and affordably remove all your unnecessary stuff from anywhere in the metro Atlanta area.
• Unload the Beds First. The first thing you should do when you get to your new home is to set up your beds. This can be as simple as setting the mattress and box springs on the floor of the bedroom and putting the sheets on (remember how you packed them in your essentials box?). Think of how tired you’ll be when you finally finish unloading! When you’re done for the night, you can collapse into bed without having yet another thing to do.

Moving is never fun, but with these tips you can make your next move easier. When you’re ready to get rid of old junk, including furniture, contact Mr. Junk in Woodstock for a free quote!

No one wants to think their home might be damaged in a storm, but the climate of the Atlanta area makes summer storms increasingly likely. Are you prepared in case something happens?

There are many things you can do to help prevent storm damage before it happens. Have your gutters cleaned regularly to prevent flooding. Consider having your roof and windows checked for small leaks you may not have noticed. Clear your yard of trees that are damaged or diseased and may fall, and when you know a storm is coming, bring in items that may become projectiles. You should also make sure your homeowners insurance is up to date, fully paid, and includes coverage of storm damage. 

But if you’ve done all that and the worst happens anyway, you’ll want to get the best debris removal service you can find in Atlanta. Mr. Junk will safely and respectfully remove of all your yard debris, whether branches that have fallen from trees or construction debris from your more complicated restoration project. Our pricing is competitive, you’ll get an in-person quote before we begin working, and we only charge for the part of our truck your junk fills. We do all the lifting, take care of proper disposal, and will even sweep behind ourselves after we’re done! We’ll also follow up after your service to make sure you’re happy.

Feel free to contact us with any questions about yard debris removal. We’ve been doing this a long time, and we do it better than anyone else!

Furniture is a big investment, and it can be tempting to hold on to it well past its expiration date. Don’t let old furniture clutter up your home; check out these signs that it’s time to throw out your old furniture.

• It’s torn and dirty beyond repair. No matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to get your old couch to look clean. Or maybe your cats just wouldn’t stop scratching, and now their scratching post is pristine but your armchair is looking skeletal. While professional cleaning or repair options do exist, at a certain point they become more expensive and time consuming than old furniture is worth.
• It’s broken. Did you know old mattresses can be bad for your back and joints? Do your body a favor and get a mattress that will offer proper support. You’ll sleep better, suffer fewer indoor allergies, and wake feeling more rested.
• It stinks. What’s that smell? Hopefully it isn’t your furniture, but if you’ve ruled out everything else, it’s time to look at the most obvious culprit. Large items like mattresses, couches, and over-stuffed armchairs can absorb smells from pets, cooking, and guests, and can grow mold and mildew in places you can’t even see. Once your furniture has developed a noticeable odor, it’s time to call us to remove it.
• It’s hopelessly dated. That bright orange couch might have seemed like a good idea a just out of college, but your decorating sensibilities have probably changed since then. Don’t force yourself to be satisfied with ugly furniture.

Mr. Junk in Atlanta will carefully and professionally remove any old junk you desire, making space for fresh new furniture to take its place. Request a free quote today!

We all have things we cling to. More often than not, the more useless something is, the harder it is to get rid of. While it’s natural to cling to family heirlooms or expensive presents, it’s just as common for folks to hang onto paid bills and unread books. So what are the most common items we keep (but should be throwing away)?

4 Home Items to Purge Right Now

1. Books. We know, we know. If you throw away books, you’re likely to get barred from the house. Books are an inexhaustible source of adventure, history, and emotional exploration. But do you really need that copy of How to Avoid Huge Ships? If you can’t handle throwing it out, pack it away for donation. Just get it off your bookshelf!
2. Old bills and documents. Yes, there are some documents that are definitely worth the storage space. Keep tax statements, real estate records, and receipts for major purchases. But if you have a file cabinet of receipts for trips to the grocery store, you have a problem. Some documents can be tossed immediately, and you only need others for a set amount of time. If you’re worried about losing important papers, make a digital copy first.
3. “Someday” clothes. Are you holding onto clothing for when you lose weight, have time to dress up, or move to a warmer climate? It’s time to be honest with yourself: if and when that happens, you’ll have outgrown the style anyway. Don’t waste space dreaming of the future. Live in the present (and an organized present at that).
4. Vitamins and meds. Do bottles cascade from the shelf every time you open the medicine cabinet? We tend to think pills have an endless shelf life, but if you didn’t use all of your pain meds when you got that root canal, there’s no point in holding onto them. Google the proper disposal methods for medications and toss old vitamins in the trash.

Ready to live a clutter-free life? Call Mr. Junk to haul off stuff you no longer need.

Think your cluttered home isn’t affecting anything but your mother’s frown? Think again! Studies show that a cluttered house has some serious ramifications on people’s physical and mental health.

7 Ways Junk Hurts Your Health

1. It makes you late. Are you always hunting for your keys, your shoes, and important paperwork before you head out the door? Clutter is the undeniable culprit. Minimize the mess and get to work on time!
2. It causes stress. The correlation between mess and stress is all in your head. But that doesn’t mean it’s not real! Studies have found a link between high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and a messy house. It can affect mental health, emotional health, and overall happiness.
3. It’s bad for your brain. Clutter doesn’t just cause stress. It also damages neural processors in the brain, makes it difficult to focus, and decreases performance levels.
4. It costs money. Not only are you probably paying more for storage and home energy expenditure, chances are high that you’ve overlooked an important bill amidst all that mess. And nobody likes paying late fees!
5. It gives germs free reign. If you can’t see your counter, how can you clean it? Germs collect in crevices in the kitchen, bathroom, and other living spaces, and clutter only makes it worse.
6. It worsens allergies. Junk attracts dust like a magnet. And the more junk you have sitting on the carpet, the more pet dander, pollen, and other allergens will grind into the fibers and stay for good.
7. It attracts pests. Pests like dark, damp spaces, preferably full of crumbs or cardboard to make a meal. When was the last time you moved boxes of junk and didn’t find spiderwebs, roach dust, or other signs of vermin? Yeah, that’s what we thought.

It’s time to reclaim your life from clutter! Call Mr. Junk for home clean out services in Marietta.

What do your habits say about how organized your home is? You may think that organized people are the ones who know their way around an Excel spreadsheet and always bring a list to the grocery store, but the truth is that developing an organized lifestyle is about revamping your thinking. Adopt these habits of organized people.

5 Habits of Organized People

1. Use tools. Tools can save time, help with organization, and remind you of crucial tasks. Use kitchen organizers to keep your pantry mess-free, replace old appliances that are causing you more work, and download apps or set smartphone reminders to keep you on task for the day.
2. Set priorities. Yes, you want an organized linen closet, but shouldn’t you take care of the foyer first? Know which tasks can be delayed and which need accomplishing ASAP.
3. Have less stuff. The less you have, the easier it is to stay organized. Clutter-free people aren’t the ones with more time to clean up, but the ones who only keep the things they need. Keep what’s crucial and eliminate the clutter.
4. Maintain your lifestyle. If you view organization as a once-a-year necessity, it’s no wonder the junk piles up! Organized people understand that picking up a little every day means clutter can’t pile up and take over your life. Dedicate a few minutes each day to organizing mail, dirty dishes, and other organization you may want to put off for later.
5. Purge your closets. You maintain neatness daily. That’s all that matters, right? Nope. Situations change, people outgrow things, and you’ll need to sort through your stuff regularly to eliminate the stuff you no longer need.

Are you ready to declutter your life? Call Mr. Junk. Ditch the mess to destress!