Best Way To Get Rid Of Household Items

The Best Ways to Get Rid of Household Items in the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin

If you’re staring at a household full of stuff wondering where to start — whether it’s after a move, a downsizing, or handling a loved one’s estate — you’re not alone. Homeowners in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and across Western Wisconsin face this challenge every day.

The good news? You have a lot of options for clearing out household items, whether you want to DIY the project, save money, or call in the pros for fast help. In this guide, we’ll walk through the best ways to tackle a cleanout and give you expert tips to make sure you’re making the most of your belongings.

1. Hire a Professional Organizer
One option that’s growing in popularity is hiring a professional home organizer. Organizers can help you sort through everything — deciding what to keep, donate, sell, or toss — while reducing stress and preventing mistakes.

Pros:

• Helps you avoid getting overwhelmed
• Can save you money by identifying valuable items
• Keeps the process organized and on track

Organizers are especially helpful if you’re managing a complicated estate, moving on a tight timeline, or just don’t know where to start.

2. Use an Estate Sale Company
If you’re dealing with an entire home full of furniture, collectibles, and household items, hosting an estate sale is a fantastic option. Estate sale companies handle pricing, marketing, and selling your items to buyers — and you typically get a check at the end.

One of our favorite options in the Twin Cities is Blue Moon Estate Sales, a trusted choice for professional estate sale services. They handle everything start to finish, helping you maximize value while saving a ton of time and stress.

Tip: Estate sales work best if you have a large number of quality items to sell. After the sale, you’ll still want a plan for any unsold items — more on that below.

3. Sell Items Through Consignment
If you have valuable pieces — furniture, decor, collectibles, or small antiques — consignment might be the right fit. You can partner with a local shop or consignment service that sells the items on your behalf and splits the proceeds.

Garage Sale Titans, through Hauling It Away, offers an excellent consignment option in the Twin Cities area. They specialize in pricing items fairly and getting top value for customers through private sales and estate cleanouts.

Pros:

• You can earn money without handling the sales yourself
• Great for high-quality or specialty items
• No need to coordinate meetups with buyers

Cons:

• Shops take a commission on each sale
• It can take time for items to sell

Tip: Consignment is best for clean, lightly used items in good condition.

4. DIY Cleanout with Family and Friends
If you’re willing to put in the time and physical effort, gathering family and friends for a DIY cleanout can be a good, low-cost solution.

Here’s how many Twin Cities homeowners approach it:

• Rent a truck or use your own trailer
• Sort items into donate, sell, recycle, or toss piles
• Drop donations off at local centers like Goodwill, Bridging, or Habitat for Humanity ReStores
• Dispose of junk at local transfer stations or landfills

Important: Before throwing anything out, it’s wise to consult with a professional or do research. Some items — like antiques, art, or collectibles — may have significant value that’s easy to overlook.

5. Rent a Dumpster
For big projects where most items need disposal, renting a dumpster is a practical solution. You can load the dumpster at your own pace over a few days.
If you’re in the Twin Cities or Western Wisconsin, Hauling It Away offers convenient dumpster rental services, making it easy to load and schedule a pickup when you’re done.

Pros:

• Good for large volumes of junk or debris
• Great for remodels, downsizes, or estate cleanouts
• Save multiple trips to transfer stations

Reminder: Always check what’s allowed in a dumpster. Many local waste stations won’t accept electronics, hazardous waste, or certain appliances.

6. Hire a Junk Removal Company
When you need things gone fast and without the heavy lifting, a professional junk removal company is your best bet. Teams come to your property, do all the moving, and responsibly donate, recycle, or dispose of your items.

For fast, flexible service in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or Western Wisconsin, Hauling It Away is a trusted choice for full-service junk removal. Whether it’s a few bulky items or an entire house, they make the process simple and efficient.

Pros:

• Quick turnaround (sometimes same day)
• No need to lift, haul, or sort
• Eco-conscious companies often donate or recycle whenever possible

7. Donate, Recycle, and Use Local Transfer Stations
Donating usable items helps the community and saves you money by reducing landfill fees.

• Here are a few Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin options:
• Goodwill and The Salvation Army: For clothing, furniture, and household goods
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore: For appliances and building supplies
• Bridging: To help furnish homes for those transitioning out of homelessness
• Local transfer stations: Places like Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy Center or Veolia in Western Wisconsin offer responsible disposal options

Specialty recycling centers also accept electronics, hazardous materials, and other hard-to-dispose-of items.

Tip: Sorting items ahead of time can save you significant disposal costs — but make sure you check with a professional if you’re unsure whether an item has resale or collectible value.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Option for Your Household Cleanout

Clearing out a home — whether it’s a few rooms or an entire property — is a major project. The best choice depends on your timeline, your goals, and how much help you need.

Here’s a quick summary:

• Want to maximize value and have lots of items? Host an estate sale through a trusted company like Blue Moon Estate Sales.
• Have unique or valuable pieces? Explore consignment with Garage Sale Titans via Hauling It Away.
• Want it done fast and with no hassle? Schedule professional junk removal with Hauling It Away.
• Want to save the most money? DIY it, but consult with pros so you don’t accidentally toss something valuable.

Whatever path you choose, there are excellent local resources across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Western Wisconsin ready to help you clear the clutter and move forward with confidence.

For questions or general inquiries, please call 715-549-3040 or fill out the contact form or for a Free Estimate Click Here.

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