A cluttered pile may seem straightforward from the outside, but it can conceal any number of risks inside. Sharp metals, degraded chemicals, and hidden bugs (to name just a few) can often be uncovered when tackling a weekend cleaning or small renovation. Think of cleanup as minor demolition: plan it out, put on the PPE (https://www.osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment), and we want to methodically tackle it. This guide will highlight the risks involved and assist the DIYer to make safer choices.
Sharp Objects Buried in Debris
Even a small pile of “stuff” can hide potentially sharp, piercing, or crushing objects inside. Broken tile pieces, splintered lumber, and bent nails blend in with piles of clothing or cardboard. Glass from an old window could easily fall apart again when your hand first lifts something nearlyshattering on the way to a dumpster. Old, rusted wire could snag on a glove or coat sleeve.
It is beneficial to slow down and come up with a game plan before anyone digs in. Lighting and sturdy footwear are more important than efficiency. And, the more area you can sort into while digging will help to avoid reaching into the corners for an unknown while digging.
- Wear puncture resistant gloves, long sleeves, and safety glasses before you handle the junk pile.
- Use a shovel, rake, or push magnet sweep instead of your hands to pull materials toward the front of the pile.
- Create separate staging areas for metal, construction debris, and general trash; so, sharp edges are segregated.
- Box glass and nails, in rigid containers, where they cannot damage bags or hurt haulers later on.
Chemicals and Old Paints
Old garages and basements sometimes hold a mystery of cans and bottles (i.e paint thinners, pesticides, motor oil, adhesives, etc….) which may be difficult to identify. Age may cause the containers to become brittle and/or labels difficult or impossible to read. Whether it is intentional or not, mixing them produces unsafe fumes, fires, or reactions which no homeowner wants.
These should never go into any dumpster rental service bin or poured down drains. Most cities will have special drop-off days for household hazardous waste, and you can ask a licensed demolition contractor or local hauler for more information on proper disposal. For large, bulky appliances containing oils or refrigerants, certain companies provide specific safe pickups; searching for something like appliance removal Spokane might help local residents find compliant options:
Store questionable products in a shaded, well-ventilated place until you can identify disposal options. If the container hisses, bulges and or smells strongly, step back, ventilate and contact local disposal authorities before moving anything.
Mold and Air Quality Issues
Piles of junk trap moisture. Materials like cardboard, fabric and drywall act like sponges and breed mold and mildew. Once she’s disturbed, the spores become airborne and irritate the lungs of whoever breathes them in and carry spores onto other clean rooms. If individuals have asthma or allergies, they usually feel the effects first.
The safest course is to treat any musty, water-stained materials and surface as a potential source of mold until proven otherwise. Ventilation and ventilation for your filter are just as important as wearing gloves and a mask.
- Open windows and set a fan to exhaust dirtied air outdoors before moving material.
- At the very minimum wear an N95 mask (read more here) and replace it before it gets moist, utilize a HEPA vacuum to cleanup.
- Bag the soft, moldy items right away and seal to bag shut; do not shake out items inside.
- Wait to allow children and pets to return until wiping surfaces and air is clear.
Pests Hiding in Junk Piles
Rodents, roaches, and even wasps may consider clutter their home. Pests may build nests in hollow furniture, cavities in appliances, and in insulation. Disturbing hollow furniture and other debris may cause an animal to startle from nesting while displacing materials may spread droppings, urine, or dander that carry disease. Tie-off areas of trash bags and take trash bags outside to avoid attracting more critters.
A homeowner may reduce rat, mice, and other pest encounters by moving from the clean area of the room towards the dirtier area. First, the homeowner may knock on larger and/or heavier items with a tool to detect movement or nests. Next, if the homeowner comes across droppings, live bugs, or a strong ammonia smell, he/she should stop his/her work and consider a visit from pest control before proceeding. The homeowner can limit clean-up costs by limiting the risk factors by sealing cracks or storing food in locations away from work areas.
Safe Cleanup Strategies
Creating a safer project is built on basic approaches such as planning, separating, and then removing. Choosing the correct disposal method can save damage to people and property. Behaviors that reduce the risk of safety issues during cleanup strategies begin with clean streams of material become more manageable during transport and recycling, while reducing the risks of injury.
- Make a staging area with tarps and/or pallets to keep materials off wet floors. Keeping items off wet surfaces, can limit mold development and separates items like tires and appliances for possible recyclers later.
- If working with bulk, non-hazardous loads such as wood, roofing, or tile, schedule roll-off dumpster rentals with a trusted dumpster rental service; keep liquid and batteries out of the bin.
- Junk hauling is ideal for mixed household clutter or limited labor; junk haul may be the fastest path for full-sized items like couches and beds/mattresses.
- Confirm dump fees before filling truck or trailer so paint, solvent, or electronic waste is deposited correctly the first time. Understanding dump fees could save the cost of invalidated materials once considered waste with the added bonus of keeping fewer fees and/or return trips.
A little caution goes a long way. With proper protective gear, clear sorting method, and the right disposal method, a DIY homeowner can remove clutter safely and keep citizens and their home intact. When in doubt, call a professional for advice or schedule a pick-up that meets the scale and efficiency of the job.
