Fall in the Treasure Valley moves fast. One weekend you're mowing the lawn and the next you're scraping frost off the windshield. That short stretch between summer and winter is the best time of year to clear out the clutter, before the garage fills with snow gear, the yard freezes and holiday guests show up at the door.
This fall cleanout checklist walks you through the house, garage and yard. Do as much as you want yourself. Whatever's left, our veteran-owned team at Evergreen Junk Solutions can lift, load and haul it away.
Why Fall Is the Best Time for a Cleanout
- The weather still cooperates. It's easier to sort a garage or work in the yard before the cold sets in.
- You'll need the space soon. Cars, snow shovels, holiday decorations and visiting family all need room.
- Yard debris is easier to move now. Brush piles and branches are much harder to deal with once they're frozen in place.
- You start the new year lighter. Clearing out in the fall means fewer projects waiting for you in spring.
The Garage
The garage is where most Treasure Valley cleanouts start, and where the biggest wins are.
- Pull everything out onto the driveway so you can see what you really have.
- Sort into keep, donate, recycle and haul away.
- Get rid of broken tools, old shelving and furniture you've been "meaning to fix."
- Clear out exercise equipment that has turned into a coat rack.
- Break down boxes you no longer need.
- Make a clear lane so the car fits before the first frost.
Tip: Set a "decide by" date for anything in the maybe pile. If you haven't used it by then, let it go. If the whole garage needs to go, our garage cleanouts handle it in one visit.
The Yard and Outdoor Spaces
- Gather branches, brush and clippings from fall pruning.
- Clear out broken patio furniture, cracked planters and worn-out grills.
- Look at old sheds, fences or play sets that are past saving.
- Haul away any leftover materials from summer projects.
Our team handles yard debris and brush removal, and because we're a licensed general contractor, we can also take care of light demolition jobs like old sheds, fences and decks. Hot tub removal is on our list too.
Living Areas and Bedrooms
- Walk each room and flag furniture you don't use or love.
- Clear out the spare room so it's ready for guests.
- Get rid of old mattresses and box springs.
- Gather electronics and small appliances that no longer work.
- Empty the "junk closet" (every home has one).
The Kitchen, Laundry and Basement
- Replace or remove old appliances that are just taking up space.
- Clear out storage shelves of things you haven't touched in a year.
- Sort through boxes in the basement or crawl space.
What to Do With Everything You Clear Out
Once the piles are made, you have a few options:
- Keep: Put it back neatly, with the things you use most within reach.
- Donate: Usable furniture, household goods and clothing can help a neighbor.
- Recycle: Metals and other recyclable materials shouldn't go to the landfill if they don't have to.
- Haul away: Everything else.
At Evergreen Junk Solutions, we make every reasonable effort to donate, recycle and properly dispose of the items and materials we remove. Please note that we handle approved nonhazardous items only. For paint, chemicals and other hazardous materials, check your county's household hazardous waste options.
When to Call in Help
A DIY cleanout is great until you hit the couch that won't fit through the door, the old refrigerator, or a trailer-load of brush. That's where we come in, with a crew sized to the job. We handle:
- Junk removal (furniture, appliances, mattresses, garage clutter and more)
- Property cleanups
- Yard debris and brush removal
- Light demolition (sheds, fences, cabinets, flooring)
- Light landscaping
How it works:
- Request your free estimate online and send a few photos of what needs to go.
- Get your free custom quote. A single item starts at $79, and a full trailer load is $500. Everything in between is priced by volume, and your price is confirmed before we start. For bigger jobs we may do an on-site visit. See our pricing page for details.
- We load and haul. You don't have to lift a thing.
- We clean up the immediate work area before we leave.
Veterans, active military and first responders always get 15% off. Just mention it when you book.
Serving Your Corner of the Treasure Valley
We're local, based in Nampa, and proud to serve Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Caldwell, Eagle, Kuna, Star, Middleton, Garden City, Emmett, Payette, Parma and surrounding Southwest Idaho communities.
Ready to Check Everything Off?
Print this checklist, knock out what you can this weekend, and leave the heavy lifting to us.
Request your free estimate online →
Prefer to talk? Call or text (208) 297-3326. We're open 7 days a week, 8am to 5pm. Evergreen Junk Solutions is veteran owned and operated, licensed and insured.