Author: Dumpster Diva

Holiday Prep Tips for A Stress-Free Holiday Season

The holidays are generally a fun time of year. With so many parties, festivities, cookie making and the excitement of the impending holiday, there is a lot going on. Making sure that you have all the gifts bought, wrapped and food ready for a nice meal, it can also get stressful. A lot of us may not be hosting this year, but many are, and fitting in time to clean a house can seem like a lot to add on to your already full plate. Our holiday prep tips make your holiday season less stressful!

Getting your Home Holiday Ready in 5 Steps

Fortunately, getting your home ready for visiting guests doesn’t have to be so stressful. So long as you make a plan and follow these easy steps, you can have it all done and still have time to soak in the holiday cheer:

1. Begin cleaning and decluttering your porch, entryway and any common area closets by sweeping, mopping and window cleaning.
2. Next, work on bedrooms, hallways and staircases by dusting, sanitizing, vacuuming, and changing bed sheets as well as linens.
3. Bathrooms are the next area to be cleaned. This includes disinfecting, washing towels and rugs, cleaning mirrors and restocking supplies.
4. The next areas to tackle are the living rooms and dining rooms. Be sure to dust, vacuum, declutter and wipe down sofas.
5. Finally, finish with the kitchen by cleaning appliances, countertops, sinks and cabinets as well as mopping.

Be sure to make a checklist of cleaning supplies before you start and delegating some responsibilities to other members of your household. Maybe even cleaning to some fun holiday music will not only get the job done quicker, but make it a little more fun!

Ordering a Dumpster Rental

In the event that you need to make more space for guests to stay, call us for a dumpster rental! Whether you have a little or a lot of junk that needs to be tossed, we have the right size dumpster rental for you. Not only do we have a 100% driveway protection guarantee, but we also guarantee next day delivery. So we could have your dumpster rental delivered and picked up in plenty of time before your guests arrive. Call us now at 727-475-1080 to learn more about our sizes and availability.

After the Holiday

Taking down your Christmas tree is one of the least fun parts of the year. Not only can it be a tedious task of carefully removing the ornaments and unraveling the hundreds of lights, but it also marks the end of the beloved Holiday season. Once you’ve got everything removed from your tree, you’ll either need to pack it up for next-year or dispose of it.

Live Christmas Tree Disposal Options

One option of disposing of your live Christmas tree is to leave it curbside for your local trash pick-up, but just be sure all decorations and lighting is removed. You can even look for environmentally friendly ways to toss it too. According to the folks at Popular Science, one option is to turn it into mulch or see if your municipality has a program where they do that and spread the new mulch into local parks. One other fun option is to contact your local zoo and ask if they are accepting tree donations. Apparently, large cats love to play with the conifers and will react to the trees as if it were catnip.

Artificial Tree Disposal Options

Like live trees, your artificial tree may be placed curbside for your bulk trash pick-up. If you are able to break it down, you may also be able to dispose of it in your trash can, however, it’s best to call your trash pick-up provider to confirm beforehand. If you want to go the more sustainable route, you’ll want to consider donating your artificial tree to a thrift store or another family. Repurposing some of its parts into a wreath or garland for next year is another great way to stay environmentally friendly.

Ordering a Dumpster 

In the event you want to toss your Christmas trees as well as a bunch of other household junk, give us a call! We have a variety of dumpster rental sizes available and guarantee next-day service from our professional staff. Every single one of our dumpster rentals include our driveway protection system at no extra cost and each has double-doors in the back for easy loading. Contact us to learn more or call us at 727-475-1080 to schedule yours now!

The holidays are right around the corner, and while it is a happy time of the year, it can also be stressful. Between shopping, festivities, work, and parties, you’ll definitely have to prioritize and plan ahead. It’s easy to let the housecleaning slip, but it’s essential that you do a quick purge throughout your home to make way for all the new things coming in post-holiday. Getting ready for the holidays has never been easier with our tips. Read on to get organized!

Easy Tips for Getting Ready for the Holidays

Making Room for More

You must make room for all those new gifts and decorations, such as a Christmas tree or out-of-town guests. Here are a few tips to help with your holiday home purge:

1. Start with toys and toss broken, unused or unwanted ones
2. Clean out closets and drawers for the entire family 
3. Check out the coat closets and remove any items that no longer fit
4. Toss old, rundown, and mismatched kitchenware
5. Organize your pantry and dispose of outdated items
6. Clean your refrigerator and freezer to make way for those inevitable holiday treats
7. Discreetly toss school papers and other art 
8. Recycle books 
9. Replace pet toys and blankets that have seen better days
10. Declutter your garage

Don’t forget to donate items that are still in decent condition or hardly used. The holidays can be a tough time for many families, so if you can donate these gently used items for someone else to enjoy or use, it can bring much joy. Make sure you reach out to the donation center of your choice beforehand to ensure they are still accepting donations and to see what items they can’t take due to the pandemic. Remember that some charities will even do a home pick-up, so be sure to plan ahead. 

Disposing of Junk

For those items that can’t be donated, we can help! With several sizes of dumpster rentals to choose from, we have one that is sure to fit your needs. Plus, every of our dumpster rentals has double doors in the back for easy loading, making removing these items from your home a cinch! Visit us at www.tampabtdt.com to learn more or call us at 727-475-1080, and one of our dumpster consultants will gladly recommend the best size dumpster for your project.

 

The History of Thanksgiving

As we start our Thanksgiving preparation, have you thought about the history of the holiday? When many of us think of Thanksgiving, the first thing that may come to mind is eating turkey, or spending time with family and friends, or even how it kicks off the upcoming Holiday season. However, the history of Thanksgiving is rather rich and there is a specific reason why we celebrate by eating turkey, spending time with family and friends and even reflecting on what we have to be thankful for throughout the year.  

The first Thanksgiving presumably took place in 1621 between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. It started one day while the Pilgrims left to go bird hunting, but the Wampanoag people unexpectedly showed up at the Colony. Over the course of a few days, the two groups of people became acquainted and began to learn more about each other. They feasted on venison, stews, vegetables and beer in addition to the game birds that were recently hunted. During this time they also participated in several games and socialized although there was a language barrier. The Colonists were accustomed to regularly giving thanks for their blessings by celebrating days of prayer, but it wasn’t until Abraham Lincoln’s presidency that this day was celebrated as a National holiday.

Interestingly enough, President Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to extend the holiday shopping season in order to boost the economy. It seems as though Black Friday shopping isn’t as recent as we once thought!

Thanksgiving Preparation for the Ultimate Celebration

Believe it or not, the Thanksgiving holiday is actually the busiest holiday with regards to vehicular travel. According to the folks at Travel+Leisure, nearly 47 million people will be traveling for the holiday and more than 89% are traveling by vehicle. It’s especially important that if you are planning a trip out of town, to plan ahead for traffic delays and busy hotels so that you can still make it to your destination safely and on time. And if you are the lucky one to be hosting, planning ahead for guests is absolutely essential. Here are a few tips to getting your home ready as part of your Thanksgiving preparation:

1. Do a quick walk through your home to take notes of any areas that will need extra attention
2. Ensure that you have enough cleaning supplies 
3. Start with a kitchen deep cleaning 
4. Pull out your dishes and flatware to make sure they are in good shape and recently cleaned
5. Prep guest room by cleaning and vacuuming
6. Freshen up your guests’ linens and ensure that they have enough toiletries available to make them feel comfortable
7. Wash and iron any table linens
8. Clean and sanitize bathrooms
9. Dust ceiling fans and furniture
10. Sweep porch and driveway
11. Vacuum throughout the house and clean glass surfaces such as windows and doors
12. Set the table and enjoy your meal!

Preparing for Thanksgiving by Ordering a Dumpster Rental

In the event that you need to make more space for guests to stay, call us for a dumpster rental! Whether you have a little or a lot of junk that needs to be tossed, we have the right size dumpster rental for you. Not only do we have a 100% driveway protection guarantee, but we also guarantee next day delivery. So we could have your dumpster rental delivered and picked up in plenty of time before your guests arrive. Call us now at 727-475-1080 to learn more about our sizes and availability.

Overwhelmed by Home Cleaning?

Home cleaning is one of those things that a lot of people dread. However, it simply has to be done at some point. Although it can seem overwhelming at times between work, kids and life in general, doing just a little each day can make it more manageable. Keep in mind that including kids in this is not only helpful, but teaches them from an early age responsibility and good habits.

A Daily Cleaning Schedule

In order to avoid becoming overwhelmed, it’s recommended to make a daily list of chores to complete. That way you don’t end up spending an entire weekend day cleaning your home. Instead, you can spend time with your friends and family. Fortunately, the folks at The Spruce came up with a useful weekly chore list to help get you started. Check it out:

• Monday – Begin with vacuuming and mopping your floors that may have gotten dirty from extra traffic over the weekend. This includes the family room, bedrooms, bathrooms and hallways.
• Tuesday – Clean and scour those bathrooms. Shake out the rugs, change out the towels, and check supplies to make sure you aren’t running low.
• Wednesday – Wipe down and dust all surfaces including furniture, kitchen appliances, ceiling fans and window fixtures. 
• Thursday – Reduce clutter by sorting through junk mail, outdated food and clothes that are tattered or stained.
• Friday – Laundry Day! Wash, fold and put away laundry including towels, blankets,  and bed sheets.
• Saturday – Have the kids help tidy up and try to keep it to 20 minutes so you can spend time with others.
• Sunday – Finally, take the day off from cleaning and enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Ordering a Dumpster Rental 

Now that you have a basic weekly cleaning schedule, you’ll be in better shape to keep up throughout the week and feel productive! Undoubtedly, you’ll still want to do some spring cleaning or a garage purge at some point. When you’re ready, give us a call! With various sizes available and a next-day delivery guarantee, you can have your clean-out project done in no time. We even place boards beneath every single dumpster rental which protect your driveway. Call us at 727-475-1080 where one of our friendly Dumpster Consultants can gladly recommend the best size dumpster rental for your particular project!

Losing a Loved One

Cleaning a home after the loss of a loved one can be a very difficult undertaking. Not only can it be labor intensive, but it can also be very emotionally draining. Fortunately, with the help and support of family and friends, this can be something that can be completed with care and understanding. Read on for our estate cleaning tips.

Cleaning Their Estate

According to a recent article posted to Well+Good, there are several steps that can be taken to complete this task so that you can also make space for healing which includes:

1. Enlist help from family and friends or a professional 
2. Give yourself time and set a deadline
3. Keep a list of what you’d like to keep as well as inviting family members to do the same
4. Dispose of unnecessary items first
5. Celebrate what your loved one cherished most
6. Take pictures of items 
7. Sell, donate, or dispose of the rest
8. Create a ritual for a final farewell after you’ve finished

Be sure to make sure that the home is secure and that you have collected all important documents. This includes financial and legal documents as well as personal records such as birth certificates, passports and health files. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve checked every corner of the home to ensure that valuables which could’ve been hidden are found. 

Ordering a Dumpster Rental Estate Cleaning

Once you’ve decided what will be kept and cherished, you’ll find that you may need a dumpster rental for items that can’t be donated or sold. We welcome you to give us a call.  We offer exceptional next-day service which can help get that clean-up project started. Renting a Tampa dumpster rental is fast and easy and we also have a wide variety of dumpster rental sizes from which you can choose. So if you have a little, or a lot, we have the right size for you. Please visit our website at www.tampabtdt.com or call us at 727-475-1080 where one of our professional dumpster rental consultants can assist you with scheduling a dumpster delivery.

 

Carpet Removal Tips

Replacing the carpeting in your home can be a pretty expensive project, but if you have the ability to remove it yourself, it can certainly cut down on some of the costs. Planning ahead is key since you’ll need a few tools and some prep work to be done prior to starting the tear out. Keep in mind that although it can be a fairly uncomplicated process, it does require some strength and can be somewhat physically taxing. Read on for our best carpet removal tips.

Tools and Materials Needed

According to the folks at Home Depot, you’ll need a few of the following tools before you get started:

1. Knee pads
2. Protective eyewear
3. Work Gloves
4. Floor scrapers and strippers
5. A set of pliers
6. Pry and wrecking bars
7. Knives
8. Duct tape
9. Contractor bags
10. Respirators and masks

How to Remove Carpet Yourself

Now that you have all of your tools and equipment, here are the following recommended steps for the carpet removal:

1. Prepare and clear the space by removing all doors, furniture, baseboards and shoe mouldings.
2. Using a utility knife, cut the carpet into strips. Be careful not to cut the subfloor below.
3. Wearing protective eyewear, gloves and a mask, begin pulling up the carpet in the corner of a room.
4. Pull toward you in order to detach it from the tack strip, and once it is loose, pull along the length of the wall until all edges are free from the tacks.
5. Roll up the carpet into strips and secure with duct tape.
6. If you are replacing the old carpet with new, you can usually use the same track strips, but if not, use a hammer and paint scraper to create enough space to wedge in a pry bar.
7. Pull off tack strips and place into heavy duty/contractor bags.
8. Remove carpet padding the same way that you removed the carpet.
9. Check the subfloor once the padding is completely removed to fix any loose or damaged panels.

Disposing of the Carpet

Once you’ve accumulated a pile of carpet and padding to be disposed of, we can provide you with a fast and easy dumpster rental. Offering next-day delivery, we’ll provide you with a clean dumpster from a reliable staff. Simply fill up the dumpster and leave the rest to us. We’ll even sweep around the dumpster before hauling it away, like we were never even there. Feel free to book online or call us at 727-475-1080 where one of our professional dumpster rental consultants can assist you with selecting the right size dumpster for your project.

Halloween Decorations

Halloween decorations typically start making their appearance in retail stores by the end of summer. With endless possibilities to choose from, be it spooky or Fall themed, you can easily decorate your home or yard with minimal effort and even find various DIY projects to achieve a certain aesthetic. Preparing for Halloween has never been easier with our easy tips.

Spook-tacular Decor Ideas

Preparing for Halloween doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you are planning to go all out or just decorate your front porch, the folks at HGTV have compiled a list of easy Halloween decorating ideas that are sure to please. Here are a few fun and easy options to get your home looking ready for the holiday:

1. Mummify your front door
2. Create black cat pumpkins
3. Make ghostly silhouettes with chicken wire and cheesecloth
4. Include florals and gourds to make a fall festive arrangement
5. Hang a shadowy scene on your garage door using adhesive black vinyl
6. Use garden stakes and patterned tights to make witches legs
7. Repurpose an old picture frame to make a spooky door sign
8. Make a jack-o-latern out of a galvanized metal bucket and fill with treats or flowers
9. Paint or a carve a jack-o-latern grin on a wooden crate or pallet
10. Turn an empty milk jug and foam pipe insulation into a giant spider

Fortunately, many of these fun and simple DIY projects can be done by finding old items around your house that can be repurposed or at a local thrift store. Additionally, inexpensive supplies can be purchased from a craft store or a home improvement retailer making these projects fun for the whole family.

Ordering a Dumpster Rental

One of the next steps after completing your festive decor is to prepare your yard and porch. Whether it be removing old landscaping or tossing worn out lawn furniture, getting a dumpster rental can make the clean-out fast and easy. With several sizes available, next-day delivery and 100% driveway protection guarantees, you really can’t go wrong! And while you’re refreshing your lawn and porch, you might as well attempt a garage clean-out in order to make room for all of your new Halloween decorations. Simply call us at 727-475-1080 and one of our friendly Dumpster Consultants will gladly assist you in ordering the right size rental for your project or visit us www.tampabtdt.com to learn more.

Hurricane Season

Unfortunately, the Atlantic Hurricane season runs through half of the year beginning in June and not ending until the end of November. During this time, many of us Floridians start a hurricane preparedness kit and have already taken the necessary steps to secure our homes and yards prior to hurricane’s arrival. However, many people don’t prepare for after the storm and have the necessary supplies to begin the hurricane clean-up process.

Proper Clean-Up Clothing

One thing that many people don’t think about is having the proper clothing and gear needed to safely remove debris. Not only will it be important to stay protected from the hazardous fallen obstacles, but it’s also important to keep in mind that there will likely be contaminated water, insects and even wildlife that presents a dangerous aspect. According to the Red Cross, here are a few clothing items to be sure you have on hand:

1. Long pants
2. Long sleeve shirts
3. Sturdy work boots or shoes
4. Work gloves
5. Eye protection
6. Disposable masks
7. Hardhats

Proper Hurricane Clean-Up Tools and Supplies

In addition to having the right clothing and tools, be sure to also have the following cleaning supplies available, especially while we’re in the middle of this pandemic:

1. Detergent
2. Bleach
3. Shopvac
4. Sponges
5. Buckets
6, Rubber gloves
7. Mops and brooms
8. Shovels and rakes
9. Carpet knife
10. Heavy-duty trash bags

Starting the hurricane clean-up process

Although the hurricane clean-up process can be extremely overwhelming at first, it’s best to start by tackling one area at a time and starting with the biggest issue first. Before re-entering the home, you’ll need to ensure that it is structurally sound and that there aren’t any electrical hazards. Then you can begin with the following tasks:

1. Open the doors and windows to air it out
2. Remove any water, mud, debris and trash
3. Clean hard surfaces thoroughly with hot soapy water then again with disinfectants
4. Throw out all food, beverages, baby supplies or meds that have been exposed to any water
5. Inspect any appliances that were damaged by flood waters and have them examined by a professional before using them

Water Damage

Not only is water damage unsanitary, but it can also turn dangerous due to the risk of it forming mold or mildew. It’s highly recommended to dispose of all items that have absorbed water and can not be disinfected (i.e. mattresses, carpeting, soft toys, etc.). Additionally, drywall and insulation will likely need to be removed and replaced as well as vinyl flooring. At any rate, remember to keep the windows and doors open as much as possible and turn on fans in order to help remove moisture from the home.

Ordering a Dumpster Rental

In the unfortunate event that the Tampa Bay area has some storm impact, give us a call. We offer exceptional next-day service which can help get that clean-up project started. Renting a Tampa dumpster rental is fast and easy and we also have a wide variety of dumpster rental sizes from which you can choose. Please visit our website at www.tampabtdt.com or call us at 727-475-1080 where one of our professional dumpster rental consultants can assist you with scheduling a dumpster delivery.

Paint Tips

Painting is one of the easiest ways to transform a room in your home. It usually doesn’t require a contractor, any expensive machinery or tools, and it can even be tackled in a short period of time. In fact, painting is one of the most popular DIY (do it yourself) projects that a lot of homeowners choose to take on themselves. Simply run up to your local hardware store, pick up some paint and supplies and then get started! Read on for paint tips so you can get your project done this weekend.

Painting Tips and Tricks

Before getting started on your project, it’s worth looking into a few “hacks” that can make the process as easy as possible. Fortunately, the following tips from House Logic are available to do just that:

1. Soak your paint brushes in fabric softener to help keep them soft
2. Prevent mishaps by using plastic wrap around fixtures 
3. Use lemon or vanilla extracts in the paint in order to reduce the strong odor
4. Reduce waste by using old t-shirts as rags to clean
5. Keep cotton swabs handy in case of mistakes
6. Use petroleum jelly on spots that you want to avoid painting
7. Use a blow-dryer to easily remove painter’s tape

Having the Right Amount of Paint

Fortunately, there are various websites available where you can calculate the amount of paint you’ll need for your project. Not only is this helpful in saving you money by ensuring you don’t buy more paint than is needed, but it is beneficial to the environment as well. Paints are considered hazardous materials since they can leak into the ground and cause a contamination incident therefore they can’t be disposed of in your weekly trash pick-up. Here are some tips from Good Housekeeping that will help you safely dispose of paint:

1. If there is a small amount of paint left in the bottom of the can, leave it in the sun to dry out.
2. Add kitty litter to soak up the paint
3. Buy a paint hardener from your local home improvement store
4. Donate the leftover paint to a local charity such as Habitat for Humanity 
5. Drop it off at a hazardous waste disposal facility
6. Consider painting a piece of furniture or art piece to add as an accent piece for your room.

Refreshing Your Home 

Once you’ve refreshed your home with a new paint job, you may as well take some time to reduce the clutter as well. In the event that you wind up tossing a bunch of junk, give us a call! We have multiple sizes of dumpster rentals to choose from, so no matter how big or small your remodel project might be, we have the right size for you. Not only do we guarantee next-day delivery, but we also guarantee 100% driveway protection as well.  Call us at 727-475-1080 where one of our friendly and professional dumpster consultants will help with the easy ordering process or visit us at www.tampabtdt.com to learn more.