The holiday season is right around the corner, which means family gatherings, overnight guests, and festive celebrations. But before the fun begins, many homeowners realize their house could use a serious declutter. From guest rooms full of storage boxes to garages stacked with old furniture, a fall cleanout is one of the best ways to prepare your home for the holidays. 

At Capital Waste Services, we know that big cleanouts often come with big piles of trash. With our Blog series Home for the Holidays we’re here to help make the process simple, stress-free, and efficient, without overwhelming your curbside garbage service.

Step 1: Start with Guest Spaces

Your guest room shouldn’t double as an Amazon warehouse. Clear out those mystery boxes, unused décor, and the treadmill that’s been holding laundry since 2022. Guests will thank you when they don’t have to sleep next to a stack of Halloween decorations.

Step 2: Tackle the “Scary Zones”

You know the ones: the garage, the attic, and the basement. These areas hold treasures (your childhood yearbooks), trash (that broken lamp from 2009 you swore you could fix with one trip to Home Depot), and mysteries (seriously, what’s in that box labeled “misc”?). Create three piles:

  • Keep (things you’ll actually use)
  • Donate (someone else will love it)
  • Dispose (sorry, “misc” box, your time has come, to the CWS trashcan old buddy”

Step 3: Plan for the Big Stuff

Your curbside bin is great, but it’s not a magician, it can’t swallow an old recliner or that fridge from the ’90s. That’s where bulk pickup or a roll-off dumpster rental saves the day.

  • Bulk pickup = a couple of large items (call your local CWS to see if this is available in your area).
  • Roll-off dumpster = the “I’m finally tackling the garage and the guest room in one weekend” level of cleanout.

Either way, we’ve got your back.

Step 4: Recycle Like a Pro

Holiday prep is prime time to recycle. Flatten those cardboard boxes, donate what you can, and for the love of tinsel, don’t toss Styrofoam in the recycling bin (Santa’s watching). For our quick recycling guide check out this blog: Quick Guide to What is recyclable 

Step 5: Schedule Service Early

Procrastinators, this one’s for you. Don’t wait until the turkey’s defrosting to realize you forgot to schedule a dumpster. Book early so you can focus on important things, like perfecting your gravy recipe or sending the dreaded text that Uncle Harold needs to bring more than a bag of ice to Thanksgiving this year if he's planning on eating everyone else's food.

The Bottom Line

A clean, clutter-free home means more room for family, memories, and pie (mostly pie). With a little planning, and the right waste solution, you’ll be holiday-ready in no time.

At Capital Waste Services, we’re here to help. From curbside service to roll-off dumpsters, we’ll handle the trash so you can handle the fun.

👉 Ready to schedule your holiday cleanout? Sign up today and let Capital Waste Services make your season a little less stressful (and a lot cleaner).