The Home Cleanout Checklist

By Detroit Dumpster Co · Updated 2026-09-14

A whole-house cleanout — a move, an estate, or just twenty years of stuff — goes a lot faster with a plan. Work through this before the dumpster lands and you'll fill it in a weekend.

Before the dumpster arrives

• Pick a spot for the container that's close to the door you'll use most. We'll place it on boards.
• Set up four zones: keep, donate, recycle, dumpster.
• Book donation pickups and sort out items that can't go in the dumpster (paint, batteries, electronics, tires).
• Line up help — a cleanout is a two-person job minimum.

Room by room

Garage & shed

Broken tools, old lumber, dead lawn equipment (drain the fuel), rusted bikes, sports gear nobody uses. Chemicals, fuel and paint go to the Wayne County hazardous waste drop-off, not the container.

Basement & attic

Water-damaged boxes, old furniture, carpet offcuts, holiday décor you haven't opened in years. Check for anything with a plug — electronics usually have a separate recycling stream.

Kitchen

Chipped dishes, small appliances that don't work, expired pantry. Refrigerators and freezers can go in the dumpster in some areas only after the refrigerant is removed — ask us first.

Bedrooms & closets

Clothes are donation gold. Mattresses and box springs often carry a disposal fee — tell us how many.

Living areas

Sofas, entertainment units and rugs are bulky but light — perfect dumpster material. Break down furniture to save space.

Yard

Brush, fencing, old patio furniture, broken planters. Keep dirt and concrete separate — they're heavy and belong in a 10-yard.

Which size for a cleanout?

A single-room or garage cleanout is a 10-yard job. A whole home is almost always a 20-yard. Big estates with a garage full of heavy stuff sometimes need a 20 plus a swap. Our sizing guide goes deeper, or just call (313) 397-0178.

Loading tips

Flat items on the bottom, bulky on top, fill the corners, and never above the rim. Distribute weight evenly so the container lifts safely.