As any smoker (or non-smoker) knows, cigarette smoke is one of the most stubborn odors to remove from a house. Especially to non-smokers, even the slightest hint of a lit cigarette can be overwhelming; but take a house or business where smoking takes place regularly and Chicago junk removal specialists say you are sure to have an area where the air almost seems thick because of the odor. Even if you’re a smoker, you probably don’t want your home to smell like a giant ashtray. But how can you get rid of the smell? Here are some tips offered by Chicago junk removal professionals!

Junk Removal Tip #1: Smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em…outside.

Making the decision to only smoke outside can be a tough transition, but Chicago junk removal experts say if you truly want a home or business that doesn’t even have the slightest hint of cigarettes, that’s the absolute best way to ensure you have a clean-smelling home. However, make sure not to smoke around open doors or windows, or else the smoke can waft into your home accidentally.

Junk Removal Tip #2: The Smoker’s Lounge

Many homeowners and business owners dedicate one area of their home or business where they can light up. Junk removal agents say designating one particular space not only saves the rest of your home from the long-standing wrath of cigarette smoke, but it also ensures that only those items in that particular room are affected, thus if you ever want to get rid of the smell, you have fewer items that may need professional cleaning or a Chicago junk removal crew to remove altogether to eliminate the smell.

Junk Removal Tip #3: Air Purifiers

Air purifiers are good to have in your home anyway, regardless of if you smoke or not, according to Chicago junk removal practitioners. However, air purifiers only work (unless you have a lot of money to invest in a very expensive unit) in the area they are located. With that said, it’s helpful to see the paragraph above and add an air purifier to that advice.

Junk removal specialists say vinegar is a common household item and there is likely to be a bottle lying around your home somewhere, even if you didn’t know it was there. Most people buy vinegar for one specific purpose but don’t need a whole lot of it, thus creating a huge amount of leftover vinegar with no purpose. So, what can you do with all that leftover vinegar? Turns out, quite a bit according to Chicago junk removal experts!

Here are some great ways Chicago junk removal experts say you can utilize your extra vinegar and get some cleaning done at the same time!

Got the washing machine blues? Add two cups of white vinegar to a normal cycle set to warm. In order to get the full cleaning effect, make sure you do not have clothes in the washer. Junk removal agents say this will get rid of any stale water smells and help eliminate the crud that has built up throughout many washes.

Looking for an all-natural way to clean your rusty, lime-crusted tea pots or stained coffee pots? Pull out that bottle of vinegar and pour a half a cup into the tea kettle or coffee pot along with a healthy dose of hot water. Junk removal specialists say you should allow the mixture to do its magic for a half day then brush out any deposits that have come loose and rinse thoroughly with water.

If it’s good enough for your coffee pot, then surely vinegar is good enough to eliminate those tough stains in your bathtub, washbasin or sink. Add some cooking salt to the mixture and scrub onto the offending surface and watch stains disappear!

Next time you are looking for a more au natural method to do some basic house cleaning, Chicago junk removal technicians recommend just putting your trust in the tried and true method of vinegar!

What items will Chicago junk removal companies take?

Junk removal companies usually have a standard list of items they will take, including furniture, yard debris, old appliances, clothing, construction materials, etc. However, if you have materials that are hazardous, you need to check with the company to see if they will remove them. Regardless of what you’re having removed, you should always verify the item is acceptable before making an appointment for your Chicago junk removal or dumpster rental.

Where does the junk go?

Most junk will end up at the landfill, unless it is an object or type of material that needs special disposal or can be recycled.

Do Chicago junk removal companies take hazardous materials?

Hazardous materials need to be handled in a certain manner and disposed of according to state and federal laws. Not all Chicago junk removal or dumpster rental companies will accept these items, so it is better to call ahead and ask.

Will Chicago junk removal companies move items from one location to another?

Remember who you’re calling – a Chicago junk removal company. Moving companies are much different and honestly, since the back of most Chicago junk removal trucks are filthy, you probably don’t want your stuff moved from one location to another in those trucks.

Do I need to bring my own manpower?

It always helps to have an extra hand available, so feel free to solicit help from as many of your friends as possible. Most Chicago junk removal companies also have a few guys to help out with the process, but you will want to call ahead and ask how many men they assign for each project (which is usually based on the size of the project).

With tax season here, you may be wondering what to do with that fat refund check (assuming you’re one of the lucky ones who doesn’t have to owe!).  You may want to take advantage of having a chunk of change to put down on some new household items. Looking around your home, you may be unsure of what is due to be replaced and what will be okay to keep for another few years. If you have the money to replace these items and buy more than one (especially appliances) at one time you can even get a package deal. And of course it is better to replace the item now when you have the money then wait and have it break when you have no means to replace it. So what are the expiration dates of common household items?

The following items and their replacement dates have been compiled by the National Association of Home Builders. This organization determined these projected replacement dates through studies.

• Dishwasher – 9 years
• Microwave – 9 years
• Electric Stove – 13 years
• Gas Stove – 15 years
• Refrigerator – 13 years
• Sink Food Disposal – 12 years
• Compactor – 6 years
• Sink – 5-10 years
• Faucets – 15 years
• Cabinets – 50 years
• Countertops (natural stone) – Lifetime
• Countertops (marble) – 20 years
• Mattresses – 7-10 years

If a total remodeling project is on the horizon, call your local Chicago junk removal company to have them conveniently remove your old appliances and other household items.

Not every Chicago junk removal company is the same, but you will find that the needs of the customer are often easily able to be met. Depending on your Chicago junk removal needs, you may want to take some time to make sure you know what you need from your Chicago junk removal company before you set up an appointment. The most important thing is to make sure the company is reputable and professional.

Everything is on the Internet

Check out the online reviews of the Chicago junk removal company you are considering. What are people saying about the company? Are they on time? Do they handle belongings gently? Are they considerate when they come into your home? Also keep in mind that customers who have had a negative experience are more likely to comment than ones who have had a positive experience. So if there are one or two complaints, don’t assume this is indicative of the service offered – it may just be one disgruntled customer.  If you feel adventurous, you may even want to ask the company about the review. There are always two sides to every story…

Get an estimate

Don’t be afraid to shop around for the best price, but remember that sometimes lower prices means lower quality of service and higher risk. Two guys with a pick-up truck may call themselves a business, but aren’t insured or licensed. Be aware of any hidden fees and ask for a complete estimate upfront.

Image is everything

What kind of image is the Chicago junk removal company selling? Do they look professional and require their employees to be well-groomed and wear a uniform? A company with a professional look lets you know that they aren’t a fly-by-night company that is taking advantage of unaware consumers. A company that has a logo shows that they’ve invested money into their company so you know you’re getting quality Chicago junk removal services.

Where’s your stuff going?

Once the Chicago junk removal company hauls away your stuff, where does it go? Be sure to check out the company’s recycling policy. Those companies that follow a more environmentally friendly code will be sure to recycle as much of your belongings as possible or dispose of them according to state and federal laws.

Eliminate clutter and unused items around your home.

The biggest reason for junk removal services is to purge your home, garage or storage locker of stuff you don’t need, didn’t know you had and will never use again. So many of us hold onto items because we see value in them, even if those items stay in a box – unused – for years. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a home that is free of clutter, easier to clean and doesn’t make you feel like you’re overwhelmed with “stuff”? Quit delaying what you know you need to do and call your junk removal company. With their help, you can make a clutter-free home happen.

Decrease stress.

When you have a lot of clutter, it can lead you to feel stressed out and overwhelmed. Instead of allowing your belongings to clutter your mind, call your local junk removal company and experience the freeing sensation of having all your unwanted or unused items hauled away.

Make room for new/better “stuff.”

Once you have all the extra room, you don’t want to fill it back up again. But you can go out and treat yourself to something nice that will complement your home.

Decrease likeliness of unwanted pests.

Where there’s an excess of “stuff” there can be an excess of unwanted pests. Bugs don’t want their presence in your home to be known, so they tend to hide out in the areas that are less likely to be disturbed.

Make money!

You never know if you’ll find an old forgotten treasure while you’re organizing your junk removal project. You may come across an item that you don’t have any use for, but is still valuable and can be sold on ebay or to a collector.

Junk removal companies can be a valuable service for many occasions when hauling or removing excess materials and belongings is just too big of a project to handle on your own. As much as you might like to think that you will be able to find enough people to help you during your project, you more than likely are better off hiring a reputable junk removal company so you are positive someone is going to show up at the time and place you need someone, instead of those last-minute apologetic, excuse-filled phone calls from friends and family members that just found something better to do. You may be hesitant to work with strangers, but a quality junk removal company will do background checks on its employees.

Here are some occasions when soliciting the services of a junk removal company may be the best option.

Spring Cleaning or Summer Organization

The weather is warm and the days are long; what better time to set aside a few days to purge all the unnecessary clutter that has been taking up precious room in your house, basement or garage? Most junk removal companies also take yard debris, so make this a time to also get your landscape in shape.

Moving Day

Everyone knows how stressful moving is, so the last thing you should have to deal with is finding a way to get rid of all the clutter or large items you’re not taking with you. Dumpster rental or hiring a junk removal crew will allow you to attend to more urgent issues while their crew hauls away anything you don’t want.

House Framing

Are you planning on selling your home and need it to look picture-perfect for potential buyers? A junk removal company will be the perfect choice for getting rid of that broken dresser and the recliner that only the cat sleeps in.

Whatever the occasion, junk removal companies will help reduce the work and stress so you can focus on more important issues.

Summertime is the best time of year to complete all the projects you need to do to make your home and landscape better. The weather, if not too hot or humid, is usually perfect for the long hours of work you will need to do to perfect your summer remodeling project. Before you even begin your project, however, you should make a “to-do” checklist and create a timeline. Organizing and planning your remodeling project will help you stay on track and possibly even save money.

Making a timeline of your project should be an easy enough task, but you want to make it a realistic timeline. Don’t schedule yourself for 12 hours every Saturday and Sunday for the next month. More than likely you will need and want a breather from the project. You also need to allow time for unforeseen issues. Once the timeline is complete, you can begin to order equipment, buy materials and schedule a convenient pick-up day for your local Chicago junk removal company. You should plan for two pick-ups: one at the beginning of the project to get rid of the items you’re replacing and another at the end of the project to remove excess materials.

Before you buy anything, but have your timeline complete, create a budget for yourself. Figuring out how much you can spend during certain times will also help you. You could create the budget before the timeline, but whichever comes first, just make sure you’re not overburdening yourself monetarily or time-wise.

Remember to call your Chicago junk removal company prior to beginning the project to make an appointment.

Being a clutterbug is a common occurrence in America. We are consumers and we love to consume. That act of consummation leads to an excess of “stuff.” However, this excess of stuff is what keeps Chicago junk removal companies in business! Here are some ways to sift through the clutter and decide whether or not it’s ready for the Chicago junk removal truck.

Garage Clutter: The garage is a place where unused items often go to be ignored and collect dust. Once they hit the garage, these items are often not thought of again until it’s time to open the garage up and clear it out.  Most items in the garage are more than worthy of the Chicago junk removal truck because they are unusable or unfixable. Broken tools, children’s toys, old athletic equipment and other unused and unthought-of materials are just taking up valuable space that could be used for something much more sensible such as, say, a car!

Electronic Clutter: Computers, Ipods, TVs, etc. are all pieces of technology that quickly become antiquated. Since these items are expensive and not necessarily unusable, we find it difficult to dispose of them. So they sit in the garage and collect dust. Fortunately most Chicago junk removal companies have a service where old technological equipment can be recycled or refurbished.

Furniture Clutter: Do you have random furniture hanging out in your home? Furniture that matches nothing and really doesn’t serve any purpose other than giving Aunt Bea a place to sit down when she comes over once a year? Toss that sucker up on the Chicago junk removal truck.

Renovation Clutter: Whether you had new windowpanes installed, your porch painted or your pool cleaned up, renovations are bound to leave clutter around your house and yard.  There’s no point in getting your house fixed up if all that junk is going to end up lying around.

As we get closer to the New Year, it might be time to not only make New Year’s solutions for ourselves, but our home as well. Let’s get ready to remove the junk from our diet AND our home!

The beginning of a new year allows us a mental and physical clean slate. Whatever happened last year is in the past and needs to be forgotten. All the junk we put into our bodies and our home need to be purged for a new beginning. Stocking up on healthy food and exercise equipment is the easy part; deciding what to put into your Chicago junk removal pile may be a bit more difficult, but here are some tips to make it easier.

Get your kids on the Chicago junk removal train. Children tend to follow in their parents’ footsteps when it comes to how they treat their private space, so take this opportunity to make Chicago junk removal a family project. Help your kids decide what toys or games they no longer want and add that to the Chicago junk removal pile. If they have a hard time letting go of a certain object, discuss with them why they see that item as so important. It may just require a short discussion about keeping things because they’re useful and keeping things just because there is an attachment. Unless the object was given by a beloved relative or has significant meaning, it should be set aside for Chicago junk removal if it is no longer being used. When it comes to your own belongings, set a good example for your children by practicing what you preach.

Invest in a scanner or receipt machine. Junk removal companies will haul away almost anything, so this might be a good opportunity to convert all your paper files into pdf’s. Keeping paper files takes up room and can also be a fire hazard, not to mention inviting bugs. By investing in a scanner, you can put all your important documents on a computer. If you’re worried about what would happen if your computer crashed or is stolen, save the files to a disk and place that disk in a fireproof lock box. You’re actually making it more likely to not have those documents or receipts destroyed in the unfortunate circumstance of a fire or burglary.

However you decide to purge yourself of those items in your home that take up room and stress you out by sitting around collecting dust, just make sure it is a priority to rid yourself of them. Contact your local Chicago junk removal company and set up an appointment so you have a goal to have everything ready by a certain date.