Most people’s idea of hoarding comes from the media. Who hasn’t seen clips of people with monstrous piles of clutter, filthy homes, or so many animals that their food and waste take over the house? But that isn’t how it starts. Here are 4 signs you’re starting to hoard.

Major Collector

People collect all sorts of things, but hoarders cross the line. It starts with a collection or two, which builds to clutter, then spirals into piles of junk that take over your home. If you’re a hoarder, you might have several collections others would deem trash, but to you it’s all important.

Keeping Unused Items

There is a rule in organizing: if you haven’t used something in the last 6 months, dump it. This is difficult for hoarders, who have a hard time getting rid of stuff and find value in anything they collect. You could be on your way to hoarding if you keep things you don’t need or use, thinking you might use it later or that it’s too precious or important to throw away.

Storage Space

Many hoarders use every inch of their homes as storage. Storing a few things is normal, but when your storage breaks free from closets and begins taking over your home or car, you might have hoarder tendencies.

Social Habits

People that suffer from hoarding are typically antisocial. If you notice you’re breaking relationships with those close to you and becoming increasingly reserved (along with the constant collecting and storing of items), you could be on your way to a problem.

Hoarding is a serious issue. If you want to cut off your hoarding tendencies before they take over your life, call Mr. Junk Roswell junk removal to help you get rid of the things trapping you in a hoarder mindset.

Do you ever feel like it’s actually painful to declutter the house? You’re not far off. Studies show that the mild pain centers in the brain (the same ones that make a fuss when you burn your tongue on hot coffee) light up when people get rid of possessions they feel attached to. That could mean anything from giving away a book you swore you’d read to donating the shirt you’re hoping will fit again (eventually). But studies show that holding onto junk has a much worse effect.

How We Get Attached to Junk

Why are people in Marietta so attached to their junk? According to the experts, it’s all brain chemistry.

• Physically holding an object makes a customer more likely to buy it
• People who hold an item for longer periods of time are willing to pay 60% more for it than those who merely picked it up and put it back down
• Some companies target this “ownership experience” by making items easy to connect with physically
• The associated value that forms in the store makes it harder for people to give up junk in the future

What Your Brain Looks Like on Clutter

Scientists from Princeton University published a study detailing the negative impact of clutter on the brain. The study concluded that clutter:

• Restricts focus
• Limits the brain’s ability to process incoming information
• Distracts the brain, decreasing performance levels
• Can lead to emotional strain and frustration

Everyone’s tolerance for clutter is different. Some people get stressed when a single dish is out of place, while others don’t seem bothered by plates piling up in the sink. But no matter what your threshold is for mess perception, a day of cleaning will leave you surprisingly at peace with your environment.

To learn more about cleaning out your home in Marietta, call Mr. Junk.

Stress

For some people, the laundry room is essentially a storage closet. For others, it’s nothing more than a washer shoved into a corner of the kitchen or garage. No mater where your washer is located, we spend more time than we’d like doing laundry, and it’s easy for the mess to get out of control. Ready for a more organized laundry room? It’s project time.

How to Declutter the Laundry Room

1. Clear the way. Before any home project, the first step is to clear away the clutter. In the laundry room, that may mean bottles of half-used detergent, stacks of magazines, and piles of clothes that never made it to the dry cleaners.
2. Assess the mess. Is your folding table a catch-all for baseball hats and beach towels? Do you trip over flip-flops every time you do laundry? Instead of fussing at the kids (again) for making a mess, work with the space you have. If your kids drop pool toys on the floor when they get home, label a basket “summer toys” and set it in the corner. Put a laundry bin in the corner for towels, muddy t-shirts, and other discarded items that always make a mess.
3. Get organized. Nobody likes staring at lime-green plastic. Store detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets in fabric bins on a shelf above the washer. Not only will it limit your mess, you’ll be able to bring a little brightness to one of your least favorite chore rooms.
4. Go vertical. Drying racks are all well and good, but the easiest way to organize line-dry laundry items is to hang them. Install a closet rod for easy hanging or, if you’re feeling rustic-chic, hang a retractable washing line and a small basket for clothespins.
5. Assess your accessories. Is your laundry room overflowing because it takes two rounds to get the soap out of your clothes? A new washing machine may be in order. Make sure your washer and dryer are efficient (and won’t cause any flooding or fires when you leave the laundry running and zip to the store).

Mr. Junk is here to help you take control of your home spaces. Call our Alpharetta junk removal service to haul washing machines, dryers, and laundry bags of clutter.

Washing Machine

Cleaning the house often seems like a thankless task. Dusting, scrubbing, and decluttering seem to last about as long as it takes to put away the cleaning supplies. But cleaning and decluttering are about more than keeping your home polished to impress the neighbors. Before you give up, check out these health benefits of having a clean home.

Health Benefits of a Clean House

1. Sanitation. Okay, this one’s a gimme. Homeowners know they can’t give up cleaning, and for most people, bacteria is the #1 reason. Cleaning with disinfectants reduces bacteria, keeping you and your family healthy.
2. Reducing allergies. Dust mites, pet dander, and roaches are common allergies, and nothing reduces allergens like keeping the house clean. If you suffer bad allergies, look into removing carpeting, which can collect allergens in its fibers. Decluttering is also a great way to reduce allergies. Roach dust and other debris tends to collect in drawers, on shelves, and around trinkets. Reduce the amount of junk in your home, and your sinuses will thank you for it.
3. Minimizing stress. Not only is cleaning a good stress reducer, having a clean home also does wonders for your stress levels. Having an organized home also means finding things more easily, which leads to less daily stress (especially when you’re running out the door).
4. Discourages pests. Pests like warm, damp environments and are often attracted to trash, food, and dirty spaces. By keeping everything clean and in its place, you can keep your house from looking like a free buffet to critters and creepy crawlies.

Ready for the big haul? Call Mr. Junk for a whole home clean out.

Getting Clean

May is National Moving Month for good reason. Right on the edge of summer, it’s a big time for finding new jobs, downsizing homes, and feeling motivated to finally finish those last few renovations so you can flip that house. But homeowners and renters alike loathe moving, and their distaste for the task results in some rookie mistakes.

6 Moving Mistakes to Avoid

1. Winging it. You may want to ignore your impending move as long as possible, but you’ll need the extra time to research moving companies, make travel arrangements, and get your utilities in order.
2. Doing the heavy lifting. Yes, you’ll save money if you do it yourself. Unless you throw out your back. Or take a day off work because moving took too long. It’s better to find an affordable junk removal company and reputable movers to do the heavy lifting for you.
3. Hoarding. It seems easier to toss everything into a box to sort later, but you’ll spend money moving junk you don’t need, and then waste more money storing it later. Sort as you pack and get rid of what you don’t want ASAP.
4. Spending too much (or too little) on packing supplies. You can get recycled boxes for free from most supermarkets, but they may be weakened from their last shipment. Check the freebies before shelling out for new boxes, but don’t try to make it work with a cardboard box that’s structurally unsound.
5. Forgetting labels. ‘Nuff said
6. Playing Tetris. Yes, you probably can squeeze that wrench into the book box. But you’ll pay for it later when you can’t fix the leaky sink in your new house until you go through half your boxes hunting for your tools. Keep the important stuff (tools, basic cooking equipment, and an overnight bag with clothes and a toothbrush) within easy reach.

Moving in Marietta? Don’t get burdened hauling furniture to a drop off center in your pickup. Mr. Junk will remove your unwanted junk, haul it off for donation or recycling, and even stay to sweep up afterwards. Call our Marietta junk removal company today.

Moving

Self-storage seems pretty straightforward. You haul furniture, appliances, and boxes to the storage facility, pay them until you’re ready to reclaim your stuff, then move it to your new home. Self-storage can seriously reduce stress when moving homes, especially if the move out date and move in date don’t sync. But believe it or not, you’re probably doing it wrong. Get ahead of the moving game with these tips on how to conquer self-storage.

Moving In

• Choose a secure storage facility with good ratings
• Wrap everything you can to protect your stuff from dust, bugs, and mildew
• Use pallets to keep your stuff off the floor, which could collect puddles in bad weather
• Invite family and friends to help with the move (and treat them to pizza afterwards)
• Make the most of your space by planning how to store each item, tetris style
• Plan for the humidity of Georgia summers by carefully sealing anything that may warp in moist air
• Label everything–trust us
• Beef up security by using a heavy padlock that bolt cutters can’t slice through

The Self-Storage Sweet Spot

It’s easy to forget how cluttered our day-to-day lives can get. Once the extra junk is safely tucked away, many homeowners find they like the minimalist feel of their new lives. But they’re connected to their stuff, too. The result? Instead of unpacking that self-storage unit once their new home is ready, they . . . delay. And pay. Some homeowners pay for years of self-storage they don’t need. If you’re dragging your feet on unpacking the storage unit, take stock of what you have. Store a few heirloom pieces in the garage or attic, but make a point to pass on other furniture and appliances to friends, family, and people in need.

Moving Out

• Give the storage facility a heads up
• Don’t wait until the last rental day to move out–it’s not worth the stress
• Have a plan for where to move most items, whether it’s into a new home or straight to a donation center
• Leave no item (or spill) behind. The storage facility may tack on fees for that spilled paint can or forgotten box

Don’t know what to do with that couch you don’t need? Call Mr. Junk to clean out your storage unit.

Self Storage

No matter how much you’re looking forward to that beachside retirement condo or converted studio apartment downtown, moving is never fun. Not only does it take up time and energy, it’s often a reminder of all the things we’ve let slip. Old hobbies, forgotten gifts, and coupons from Christmases past come back to haunt us when movers come to call. As we approach National Moving Month, it’s time to focus on the long game.

National Moving Month

Roughly 35 million Americans relocate annually, a number which peaks in the summer season. The busiest months for moving are July and August, but the number starts climbing in late April. May is National Moving Month, an initiative to educate movers about the pitfalls of relocating residences. Many scammers take advantage of the stress of moving, costing homeowners time, money, and property damage. But by thinking ahead, homeowners can settle into their new homes swiftly and safely.

How to Guarantee a Great Move

1. Research. If you’re using movers, do your homework. Make sure the company is licensed and verified. Look up online reviews to see how the movers handle furniture, heirlooms, and breakables. Get multiple estimates, and make sure to get it in writing. Moving companies are notorious for tacking on added fees (and some will even hold your stuff hostage until you pay).
2. Plan. It’s easy to let moving get away from you, but procrastinating only costs you time, money, and a truckload of stress. Don’t wait until the last of the month to clean out storage units or pack up your apartment.
3. Get ahead of the game. Unless you’re planning the world’s most stressful move, you probably know the floor plan of your new home. Think ahead to what furniture will fit into the new space. Sort as you pack, boxing up clutter that’s better left behind. Then call Mr. Junk to clear the air before the movers come tromping through.
4. Trust no one. No matter how highly rated a moving company is, they’re not worth risking Grandma’s china. Take inventory of priceless items and find the time to move them yourself.

Mr. Junk makes your move easier than ever. Call our junk removal service to clean out your home, garage, or storage unit before a move.

Moving Day

In a world where everything is DIY, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new project. But for some furniture, a new coat of paint isn’t enough. How can you tell if your furniture is worth fixing up? Take a look at this guide to decide if that old dresser is junk or a DIY treasure.

Furniture Upcycling Checklist

There are dozens of ways to update old furniture. A fresh coat of stain can take an armoire from outdated to awe-inspiring in a single afternoon, and reupholstering a worn settee could be just what it needs to live a long and happy life. But sometimes slapping on a new coat of paint isn’t enough. If your furniture hits any of these points, it’s time to call Mr. Junk.

1. It was cheap. It may be a perfectly functional couch, but if it’s going to cost half the price of a new one to reupholster it, it’s probably time to recycle it and find something new.
2. It’s structurally unsound. No matter how pretty it is, it’s not a good dining room chair if it deposits your dinner guests on the floor. Make sure your furniture is sturdy before claiming it as your next DIY project.
3. It has sentimental value. If you really want to refresh your great-grandmother’s sleigh bed, we recommend calling a professional. If your home DIY goes awry, that heirloom piece may wind up in the scrap heap.

Got in over your head with this year’s spring furniture DIY? Mr. Junk has your back. Call us to haul off old furniture, no matter what stage of refurbishment it is (or isn’t) in.

Old Piano

If you fight to maneuver your car around piles junk when pulling into the garage, the battle is already lost. It’s not uncommon to use the garage as an extra storage space. It’s also not uncommon for that furniture you’re storing “until I can find somewhere else” to become a permanent fixture in the garage. Spring cleaning season is officially here, and it’s time to reclaim your garage for the car.

Garage Organization

A few tips before you get started:

• Set aside a Saturday. Better yet, set aside the entire weekend.
• Grab your gear. This means work gloves, cleaning supplies, and bags or bins for junk items.
• Assemble your team. Trust us you don’t want to tackle this project alone.

Steps to an Organized Garage

1. Start with the big stuff. Park on the street to create a bigger work space (and prevent dings and scratches on your car). Move stored furniture out into the driveway. Make piles in the yard for large sporting items like golf clubs and badminton nets.
2. Organize everything. No, it won’t be fun. But if you ignore that box you forgot to unpack when you moved in 1999, you may open it in 10 years’ time to find a box of canned goods that expired before the Y2K scare.
3. Find a new home within your home. If you have a tool shed, your push mower needs to migrate there. If you don’t, you may need to rethink garage organization. Move as many major items as possible to keep your garage clean.
4. Play the lava game. Remember that game your kids used to play where they pretended the floor was hot lava? That’s your new organizational strategy. Keep your garage neat by using vertical space. Hang lawn equipment from hooks, build shelves for paint and building materials, and even hang items from the ceiling if there’s space beside the garage door. Just remember: anything that touches the floor becomes a hot mess.

Organize your garage this spring with a little help from your Roswell junk removal team. Call Mr. Junk to haul away anything from old paint cans to moldy mattresses.

Paint Cans