Clearing out your home is straightforward until you're staring at a pile of stuff wondering: does this go to Goodwill? The landfill? A recycler? Haul Yeah? This checklist answers that — room by room, item by item — so you know exactly what to do with everything before pickup day.
The Four Categories
Before you start sorting, know your four buckets:
- Keep: Still useful to you. Goes back where it belongs, organized.
- Donate: Good condition, useful to someone else. Drop at Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, or Habitat ReStore.
- Recycle / Hazmat: Items that need special handling — electronics, paint, chemicals, batteries. Portland Metro's hazardous waste program handles the dangerous stuff.
- Haul: Broken, bulky, worn out, or just too much to move yourself. This is what Haul Yeah picks up.
Room-by-Room Checklist
🏠 Garage & Shed
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Broken tools, bent shelving | Haul Away |
| Old paint cans (dried or separated) | Hazmat Program |
| Motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers | Hazmat Program |
| Outgrown kids' bikes, scooters | Donate |
| Broken power tools | Haul Away |
| Old lawn mower or outdoor power equipment | Haul Away |
| Lumber scraps, old fencing | Haul Away |
| Functioning sports equipment | Donate |
| Scrap metal | Haul Away |
🪟 Basement & Storage
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Sealed boxes you haven't opened in 2+ years | Haul Away |
| Water-damaged furniture or items | Haul Away |
| Old water heater, dehumidifier, HVAC unit | Haul Away |
| Obsolete TVs, monitors, printers | E-Waste Recycle |
| Mattresses, box springs | Haul Away |
| Old sofa or chair in poor condition | Haul Away |
| Functioning sofa or chair | Donate |
| Expired holiday decor, broken lighting | Haul Away |
🏛 Bedrooms & Closets
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Clothes you haven't worn in 12 months | Donate |
| Wobbly dresser, mismatched furniture | Haul Away |
| Old mattress | Haul Away |
| Bed frame in poor condition | Haul Away |
| Working desk, chair, or shelving | Donate |
| Shoes and accessories in good shape | Donate |
| Old CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes | Haul Away |
🍳 Kitchen & Dining
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Expired pantry items and spices | Trash / Haul |
| Unused bread maker, juicer, waffle iron | Donate or Haul |
| Scratched nonstick pans, cracked containers | Haul Away |
| Old microwave | Haul Away |
| Duplicate cookware and dishes (good condition) | Donate |
| Dining table and chairs (worn) | Haul Away |
| Rechargeable batteries | Recycle (Metro) |
🌿 Outdoor Spaces & Yard
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Rotted or rusted patio furniture | Haul Away |
| Old wood piles, broken planters | Haul Away |
| Construction debris from past projects | Haul Away |
| Swing set, trampoline (no longer used) | Haul Away |
| Hot tub no longer functional | Haul Away |
| Propane tanks | Hazmat Program |
| Functioning patio furniture | Donate |
What Haul Yeah Cannot Take
We can haul almost anything — but a few categories require special handling:
- Hazardous materials: Paint, motor oil, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, propane tanks, asbestos-containing materials
- Medical waste: Needles, sharps, prescription medications
- Explosives or ammunition
For hazardous materials, use Metro's free hazardous waste drop-off program. For everything else — call us.
How to Prepare for Pickup Day
You don't need to do the heavy lifting yourself. But a few things make the job faster (and cheaper, since we price by volume and time):
- Consolidate your haul pile. Move items to one accessible area — the driveway, garage, or just inside the front door. The easier we can access it, the faster we move.
- Label donation items. If some items in the pile should be donated instead of dumped, use tape or sticky notes. We'll sort accordingly.
- Clear a path for large items. If we're pulling furniture from upstairs or the basement, clear the hallway and stairwell so we can navigate safely.
- Know roughly what you have. A quick description by phone helps us send the right size truck — which saves time and money on both sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What items can Haul Yeah PDX NOT remove?
We cannot take hazardous materials including paint, motor oil, chemicals, propane tanks, asbestos, or medical waste. Portland Metro's hazardous waste program handles those. We can take virtually everything else — furniture, appliances, e-waste, mattresses, yard debris, and construction debris.
How should I prepare for junk removal pickup day?
Consolidate your items in one accessible area — driveway, garage, or just inside the front door. You don't need to move heavy items yourself; our crew handles all the lifting. Just have a rough sense of the volume so we can give you an accurate quote.
Can Haul Yeah take items that are still in good condition?
Yes. We divert usable items to Portland-area donation centers and recyclers before anything goes to the landfill. If your furniture, appliances, or other items are still functional, let us know — we'll prioritize donation.