Fall and Winter Cleanout Checklist for Metro Atlanta

Clear guest spaces before the holidays

Spare rooms often double as storage for old mattresses, broken furniture, and boxes. If guests are coming, clear these rooms in October or early November — removal schedules fill quickly in the weeks before Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Old mattresses, bed frames, and dressers are among the most common fall removal items. A crew can carry them out from any floor, so there is no need to drag them to the curb.

• Old mattresses and box springs
• Broken or unused furniture
• Boxes from the last move
• Outdated electronics and TVs
• Exercise equipment that became a clothing rack

Do a final yard and exterior pass

Remove dead plants, broken planters, worn patio furniture, and storm-damaged fencing before winter. Atlanta's fall storms drop limbs and debris that are easier to haul in one visit than in pieces all season.

If a shed is rotting or leaning, fall is the right time to remove it — winter moisture makes the demolition messier.

Plan for the January purge

The first two weeks of January are the single busiest stretch of the year for junk removal. New Year resolutions, post-holiday packaging, and replaced gifts all generate disposal demand at once.

Book your January pickup in late December if you can. You will get a better time slot and start the year with the space already cleared.

Winterize what you keep

As you sort, move the items you are keeping into proper storage: sealed bins instead of cardboard, shelving instead of floor piles. Cardboard on garage and basement floors absorbs moisture and attracts pests over the winter.

Anything you would not bother to store properly is a strong candidate for the donate or haul-away pile.

Frequently Asked Questions