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Holiday Decluttering: Toss, Donate, or Recycle
Three piles, one call. Here's how to clear the holiday clutter without the guesswork.
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Inside this article
The holidays bring joy, but also stuff. Decorations, gifts, shipping boxes, leftover seasonal items, and things you forgot were even stored away. Before the new year rolls in, save yourself the future headache by sorting everything into three smart piles: Toss, Donate, and Recycle. Junk Genius can help with all three, including the heavy, awkward pieces you'd rather not wrestle down the stairs yourself.
Pile One
What to Toss
Broken, unsafe, or completely past its useful life: this stuff just needs to go.
Broken Holiday Lights
Tangled strings with burnt-out sections or cracked sockets aren't safe to store or donate. Time to cut them loose.
Damaged Furniture
A couch with a broken frame or a chair that wobbles isn't worth a Craigslist post. We haul furniture of any size, no disassembly required on your end.
Old Electronics That No Longer Work
Dead laptops, busted TVs, and outdated printers can't go in the trash bin. We handle responsible e-waste removal so they don't end up in a landfill.
Mattresses Past Their Lifespan
Old mattresses and worn-out chairs are bulky, heavy, and a pain to move. We pick them up from wherever they are, basement, bedroom, or curb.
Water-Damaged Items
Boxes of damp holiday decorations or basement items warped by moisture aren't salvageable. We remove them cleanly and haul everything out in one trip.
Pile Two
What to Donate
Minnesota winters are hard. Items in good shape can make a real difference for local families.
Gently Used Furniture
Sofas, dressers, and tables in decent condition go directly to charity partners rather than the dump. We do the hauling; the organization handles the rest.
Kitchen Items
Pots, pans, small appliances, and dishes that are collecting dust belong in someone else's kitchen, not a storage box.
Blankets and Linens
Extra blankets and bedding are especially needed across the Twin Cities in winter months. If they're clean and in good shape, we'll route them to the right place.
Holiday Decorations You're Replacing
Upgrading to a new tree or fresh wreath collection? The old set can likely be donated rather than trashed.
Kids' Toys and Books
Post-holiday is the perfect time to clear out what the kids have outgrown. Toys and books in good condition find new homes fast.
Pile Three
What to Recycle
More of your holiday haul is recyclable than you'd think.
Cardboard Boxes
Holiday shipping boxes pile up fast. Flatten them if you can, or leave them as-is, we handle the recycling from there.
Paper Gift Bags and Wrapping
Plain paper gift bags and non-foil wrapping paper are recyclable. Foil-coated or glittery wrap typically isn't, those go in the toss pile.
Old Electronics (E-Waste)
Phones, tablets, printers, and old computers qualify as e-waste and require responsible handling. We're certified to manage electronic waste removal properly.
Scrap Metal from Appliances
If a holiday cleanout uncovers an old appliance in the basement or garage, the metal components are recyclable. We haul it and sort it, you just point us to it.
Certain Plastics
Check the number inside the recycling symbol. Types 1 and 2 are widely accepted. When in doubt, set it aside and we'll help you sort it out.
Ready to Clear It Out