Simple Home Repairs To Lift You Out Of The Winter Funk

Does Winter's Doldrums Have You Down?

Grab a screwdriver and fight back with some easy home repairs that will raise your spirits and get your home ready for spring. 

Accomplishments, even little ones, can go a long way towards a sunny outlook. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy and quick home repairs you can do when your are in the thick of winter. 

In each room, look around and take stock of what needs fixing or improving. Focus on the small, quick-fix changes, not the major redos. Small household problems can have big effects. 

Here are a couple of good starting points:

• Squeaky Door Hindges - Spray a little WD-40 onto the hinges, moving the door back and forth to work in the lubricant. Or try rubbing the hinges with petroleum jelly. If these tricks don’t work, lift the hinge pins about halfway and lubricate them with three-in-one oil, using a rag to catch drips.

• Creaking Floors - For a temporary fix, sprinkle talcum powder over the noisy area and sweep it into the cracks. Be sure to remove any traces of powder if you’re ever going to refinish the floor.

• Stained Tub - Combine equal amounts of cream of tartar and baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Rub the mixture into the stain with your fingers or a soft cloth. Let sit for a half hour, then rinse well with water.

Tackling these smaller projects will give you the confidence and motivation to move up to bigger ones on your list. 

Simple DIY home improvements are not only fulfilling and cost effective, but they are also a great way to maintain the value of your home. 

Give us a call or contact us online and let us help you tackle your next project! 

Click Here To Check Us Out!

Julie & Mike Paradise 
Local Owners 
978-582-1176

10 Basement Clutter Clearing Tips

Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind? 

Our basements can all too easily become a dumping ground for every piece of junk and clutter we think we might need someday, or just don't want to make a decision about right now. Plus, this space is often one of the largest storage areas in your home. 

Put these two facts together and you can easily accumulate a mountain of stuff in this space, to the point where finding anything is nearly impossible. 

Here are 10 tips for clearing out your basement and maximizing your storage space. 

                                                     

Take a deep breath and dive in!

1. Spread Out Your Stuff — Are you staring at lots of boxes of stuff? Empty each one out into the middle of the room. It will force you to go through everything and make a decision.

2. Pile, Pile, Pile — Create separate piles and label them. KEEP. DONATE. RECYCLE. TRASH. 

3. Deal With It — As you clear out, touch every single item. No leaving anything for "later." Deal with each and every item as you pick it up - decide to keep it, donate it or toss it. 

4. Everything In It's Place — Separate the “keep” pile into new categories — craft supplies, toys, sports equipment, ect. Assign each category a location, tuck craft supplies in clear plastic bins and stack them on a shelf. Send sports equipment to a sturdy bin in the garage. Label everything!

5. Work On It Every Day — Even if it’s just for 20 minutes. Every bit of time adds up, and it’s less overwhelming than caging yourself down there for hours at a time.

6. Ditch The Cardboard Boxes — Don’t use cardboard boxes for storage in your basement. They crumple, dent and they don’t protect items from dampness. Instead, use sturdy, preferably clear plastic containers. Clear containers will help you to best find what you need when you need it.

7. A Dumpster Is Your Best Friend — Have one ready in the driveway. Every item out of your basement and into the dumpster is a small victory.

8. Take Breaks — When indecision sets in, you need to walk away for a bit. You’ll come back with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.

9. Shelve It — Shelves are important in a basement declutter, since you’ll need to keep your valuables safe from flooding. Metal shelving is affordable and easy to assemble, and it withstands heat and humidity better than wood.

10. Hang It Up — Use hooks and pegs to store items up off the floor, freeing more space.

Use these great starting points to whip your storage space into shape! 

Let us help you with your next project! Give us a call or contact us online.

Click the link below to check out which bin size would work best for your project:

Click Here To Check Us Out!

Julie & Mike Paradise

Local Owners 

978-582-1176

6 Ways To Get Your Kids More Involved In Home Cleanup

As February break draws near and ideas to occupy uncharted free time are slim, here are some tips to getting the kids involved cleaning up around the house. Ask any parent the cause of their home clutter. Their near-universal answer: the children. Children have a unique gift for leaving a path of disaster in their wake. And just as universal is a child’s dislike of cleaning up. Too often pleas to clean up fall on deaf ears.Requests for children to spend time tidying up or decluttering can devolve into a shouting match with tears flowing and threats of punishment flying. And if the work gets done, chances are everyone leaves a little unhappier. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Whether it’s cleaning a room or cleaning out the house there are some strategies for getting kids to participate in the process. 

Here's a look at six strategies to make the process run smooth for everyone! 

Build Habits Early 

When it comes to forming habits, repetition creates comfort. Habits are also developed from a young age. When it comes to good habits such as being organized or just simply cleaning up after themselves, consistency is key. If you start kids at a young age and keep things fun, they'll enjoy pitching in — it gives them a great sense of accomplishment, collaboration, independence and responsibility. 

Set A Specific Time Frame 

One of the beauties (or frustrations) of human language is how so much meaning can be packed into so few words. We hear what we want to hear, so vague language can and will be interpreted in a way that benefits the hearer — your kids — in a way that means they don’t have to do the work or at least not right away. Turn “Clean your room” into “Clean your room by tomorrow at 3 p.m.” Setting expectations are important.

Make Cleanup Fun 

One great tactic for motivating kids to clean the house is turning it into a game, because kids want to win and be proud of themselves. Turning the cleanup process into a game makes it a bit more palatable to a child’s mind. (Maybe your budding young Kevin Durant or Kobe Bryant can see how many “shots” he can land in the rental dumpster! 

Add Music 

Make it a cleaning party! Music can serve as an enormous motivator. Things we don’t like to do become a little easier when we have music we enjoy while we’re doing them. Put some tunes on the stereo and let it blare throughout the house!

Take It One Step At A Time

It takes years to amass the clutter that overtakes many homes. Expecting it to disappear in one afternoon is unrealistic — and sets you up for disappointment.

Tackle one chunk of the clutter at a time… together! That might mean ordering a dumpster bin more than once, but it’s a far more manageable process and far less daunting a task than demanding the entire cleaning take place in a single day.

Show Your Appreciation 

From an early age we remind our kids to say the magic words, "please" and "thank you." It's important as parents that we remember to use them too! Sure those simple words may not be enough to turn surly kids into happy household tidiers. Another great form of motivation... bribes. Maybe offering a little something extra such as an allowance, an extended curfew, or even a special experience is enough to spark their interest. 

Once you've got the kids on board, give us a call and let us help you get the job done! 

Check out our website for pictures of the different size bins we carry, pricing, and additional rental info. 

You can contact us online or call us with any questions or if you would like to schedule a reservation for a rental. 


Julie & Mike Paradise 
Local Owners 
978-582-1176

Click Here To Check Us Out!

Organize This Winter!

Conquer The Cold 

Don't think for one minute that spring is the ideal time to clear the clutter from your home. Spring cleaning may be a term that is freely tossed around, but the truth is that when spring arrives, you're ready to head outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather that you've been waiting for. Those cold, dreary days that keep you indoors during the winter are perfect for decluttering your home. Maximize this time to finally get those forgotten projects around the house accomplished. 

By the time spring arrives, you'll be impressed with the amazingly organized home you have created during the winter. And better yet, you won't be stuck doing it once the nice weather returns! 

Here are a couple tips to get you started:

Start Small For Immediate Rewards

Decluttering your home is no different than any other type of project you may take on, in that, seeing small amounts of progress will push you on towards the next step. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, on the first day of your decluttering process, begin with whatever is the least cluttered area of your home. Just seeing that one space perfectly organized will encourage you to tackle a larger project the next day.

Organizing Your Closets 

You can immediately gain more space when you declutter your closets. The use of hanging organizers, shelves, hooks and various other items are a good way to help you create an organized closet. You may need the extra storage space when you move on to the next week's project of clearing the clutter from the family room.

Family Room 
Decluttering the family room involves finding an organizational method for games, toys, electronic devices, accessories, books, DVD's and much more. A book case, decorative baskets and storage furniture are a few helpful items to have in the family room. 

Kitchen

Decluttering the kitchen means removing all of the gadgets and small appliances that you never use. Cleaning out the pantry and refrigerator can also be done on the day you devote to the kitchen. Drawer organizers can help keep dishes and cookware organized. You'll love the look of spacious clutter-free counter tops once this project is complete. It'll be great motivation to get back in there to cook up meals to enjoy in the warmth of your home. 

Chase away the winter blues by organizing and decluttering your home. Your home will become more functional and enjoyable with each completed task. When other people are doing spring cleaning, you can be doing fun things to celebrate spring's arrival.

Click Here To Get Started On Reserving A Bin for Your Next Project

Julie & Mike Paradise 
Local Owners 
978-582-1176

Winter Dumpster Rentals - 6 Things You Should Expect

Think it's too late for tackling those home clean out or renovation projects?

Not so fast! 

Winter is actually a great time to re-do your kitchen, remodel the bathroom, and (or) clean out that clutter-filled basement. Start the New Year off right with a fresh look and a clean slate! Just think of how many holiday calories you could burn off while simultaneously losing excess baggage around the house.  

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to a winter dumpster rental:

Great Availability

A lot of people tackle their projects in the summer when the weather is nice and motivation is at its peak. But, that's also the busiest time for dumpster rental companies.

That means there's greater availability come the winter months. Chances of getting a dumpster delivered to perfectly match your schedule or even the same day you call, are at their highest!

Slick or Icy Driveway?

At Bin There Dump That, we're pros at bin placement, in almost any weather condition.
Our driveway protection guarantee includes protective boards that are carefully placed on the driveway before the bin ever touches the ground. This provides a stable and sturdy foundation for our bins, even on slippery driveways.  

Grab The Shovel, Please 

Our bins are residential friendly. This means that they can be placed conveniently close to your house or snug next to where your project is located. 
So if it snows a few inches before our arrival, please grab a shovel and clear a space for the bin. 

Fill Your Dumpster With Debris, Not Snow 

If it starts snowing heavily while the dumpster is in your driveway, you might want to toss a tarp over the top to keep the snow from adding up inside.
Usually, any accumulated snow will melt, and the water will pour out when the dumpster tilts for emptying.
But melted snow in your dumpster can make some items waterlogged and heavy. You don't want to pay more than you have to, and neither do we. 

Cancellations Due To Weather? Not Likely 

Rarely do we cancel a bin delivery due to bad weather. 
Our trucks are not only residential friendly, but well equipped for the elements.

Back in December, 2013, a massive ice storm devastated greater Toronto. Utility poles and tree branches collapsed under the weight of the thick ice accumulation. More than 300,000 homes were without power. Trees toppled onto houses all over the city. Ice covered everything.

There was a huge need for dumpsters to help in the cleanup of fallen branches, damaged roofing and siding. Bin There Dump That operators answered the calls, despite the storm. 

Clean up with Caution

If you are planning on toting items out to your driveway this winter to toss in the dumpster, be careful out there. It's tricky enough navigating a slick driveway empty handed. If you're carrying an old couch or an armload of items, it's even trickier. 

Make sure you have a clear path shoveled out for yourself. Spread some de-icer on your pavement to help melt down any slick surfaces. And lastly, be cautious when walking. We want all of our customers to have a safe and stress-free experience with us! 

Time To Tackle That Winter Project? Reserve A Bin!  

Bin There Dump That operators are happy to deliver a residential friendly bin right to your driveway, even in lousy weather. The bin will sit, safely and securely, even on a slick driveway. You might even get it the same day you call.

Questions about winter dumpster rentals? Give us a call or contact us online and we will be happy to answer any and all questions you may have! 

http://www.wachusettdumpsterrental.com/

                                                                     

Julie and Mike Paradise
Local Owners
978-582-1176

Trashification

Trashification

I am here to tell you that Summer is not over yet!  There is still lots of time left to do a household clean-out.  If you can't fit your car into your garage, now is a great time to take a day or two of your stay-cation and get things organized.

Let's face it.  The minute we buy something it begins to trashify.  When the item is new, whether it's a big screen TV or a pair of shoes, it gets a place of honor in your house.  It might be on display in your living room, or have a cleared-off spot on the top shelf of your closet.  As it ages, it may be replaced by something newer and shinier.  Thus, the trashification process progresses.  The once-beloved item is moved into hiding - a drawer, the back of a closet, or..... into the GARAGE!   Think about the word, GARAGE.  Even the word itself is just one letter away from.... GARBAGE!  Once an item lands in the garage, there is no going back.

If you're like most of us, your car is a five-figure investment that you can't do without. Why leave it outdoors, where it can suffer damage from UV exposure, bird droppings, and tree sap? (And climbing into a scalding-hot vehicle in summertime is no fun.) Storing it in a garage will keep it a lot cleaner and could help prolong its life.

So many good reasons to de-clutter that space!  If you live anywhere in North Central MA or beyond, including Lunenburg, Fitchburg, Leominster, Holden, Marlborough, Devens, Groton, etc etc., a bin from Bin There Dump That can help with your project.

Check out this short video to see more about the benefits of renting a bin:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnZfIG-Lvvo

Thanks for reading, and check back again soon for another in this fun video series!

Julie and Mike Paradise
Local Owners
978-582-1176

Bin There Dump That: At Your Disposal

Added Benefits You Might Not Expect From Your Dumpster Rental

Consumers today are incredibly smart. So when a company says you’re getting something for free, you know darn well that “free” really isn’t all that free. Nine times out of 10, you’re either a) paying for it through the inflated cost of another service or b) it should be included in the product or service in the first place.

I’ll be honest, when it comes to the world of residential dumpster rental, you won’t find the word “free” casually thrown around. There are, however, some added benefits you might not expect from your rental experience. And while we can’t speak for all rental companies, we can speak from experience and on behalf of our Bin There Dump That local franchise operators.

Here are several added benefits you might not expect from a residential dumpster rental:

Open And Continuous Communication

When customers call in to arrange a bin rental, they will speak with a local franchise operator — not an automated system. Communication is continued as the rental window draws to a close. You’ll be contacted by your local operator, confirming a convenient pickup time on the last day of the rental.

No Property Damage

Before the roll-off dumpster even thinks about touching your driveway, the drop-off spot needs a little prep work.. A protective buffer (wooden boards) is always placed beneath the rental. This helps disperse the weight of the bin and keep your driveway scratch- and gouge-free.

Sweep Up Afterwards

Once your dumpster is filled to capacity and the driver loads it back onto the truck — but before it hits the road and out of your life — the driver will give your driveway a thorough sweep. This helps keep nails, glass shards and scraps of wood from sneaking into your lawn or getting stuck into a tire.

The dumpster will also get tarped before it gets hauled away. The last thing you need to worry about is your debris flying out of a departing truck.

Easy Access Loading

Our Roll-off dumpsters make walk in loading easy with rear, double-door access. Team that with your  dumpster's driveway friendly, fit anywhere design, well, decluttering your home just got a lot easier.

Contents Are Promptly Delivered To The Transfer Station

When the time comes to say goodbye to your dumpster, the contents you’ve discarded are taken directly to a transfer station where they are properly RECYCLED. It’s not left in some random, unattended parking lot, at risk of getting sifted through by sketchy individuals.

One Step Closer To A Safer, Clutter Free Home

Whether you’re interested in taking control of the clutter in your home or if life as a minimalist is an aspiration, the simple act of renting a dumpster is getting you one step closer to your goal.

Our rule of thumb? “When in doubt, toss it out.” And remember, the more clutter you remove from your living quarters, you also greatly reduce household dust, mold, trip hazards and fire hazards.

No Rushing Necessary

For most rental dumpster bin companies, the bin can stay seated on your property for 5-7 days — unless you need it picked up sooner. Remember, there’s no race. And this time, for once, time is on your side. Bin There Dump That dumpster rentals include 7 full days.

You Are Not Liable

By working with a company that is thoroughly insured, you can have some peace of mind knowing that any damage or injury incurred on your property by the rental company is covered.

No Hidden Fees

I know I might be a bit biased, but you really do get plenty of bang for your buck, especially knowing that Bin There Dump That has no hidden fees. Though there may be additional rental fees depending on unique requests or renter needs, our franchise operators communicate all potential fees ahead of time — before you sign on the dotted line.