Garage Cleanout Dumpster Size Guide: Choose the Right Size
Garage cleanouts are among the most common dumpster rental projects. Learn how to size your dumpster properly, understand costs, and organize efficiently.
Very Small Cleanout?
Garage cleanouts are popular spring cleaning and moving projects. Whether you're reclaiming workspace, preparing to move, or finally tackling years of accumulation, the right dumpster size makes the project easier and more cost-effective.
How to Choose Your Garage Dumpster Size
Step 1: Assess Your Garage Contents
Walk through your garage and categorize everything. This helps you understand what's actually going in the dumpster vs. what you're keeping, donating, or selling.
Step 2: Estimate Volume
Use these rough estimates for common garage items:
Large Items
- • Refrigerator: 4-5 cubic yards
- • Washer/Dryer: 3-4 cubic yards each
- • Workbench: 2-3 cubic yards
- • Lawn mower: 1-2 cubic yards
- • Bike: 0.5-1 cubic yard
- • Shelving unit: 1-2 cubic yards
Volume Items
- • 20 boxes: ~3 cubic yards
- • Sports equipment pile: 2-3 cubic yards
- • Garden tools: 1-2 cubic yards
- • Holiday decorations: 1-2 cubic yards
- • Misc. garage clutter: 2-4 cubic yards
Step 3: Add Buffer for Wasted Space
Garage items are irregularly shaped and don't pack efficiently. Bikes, lawn equipment, and furniture create gaps.
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Add 25-30% to your volume estimate for wasted space
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Break down large boxes and furniture to improve efficiency
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Plan for surprises - garages always have more than expected
Garage Cleanout Dumpster Sizes & Costs
10-Yard Dumpster - Small Garage Cleanout
Best For:
- • 1-car garage partial cleanout
- • Seasonal item purge
- • Light decluttering project
- • 10-15 boxes + some large items
- • Clearing one wall or section
Specifications:
- • Capacity: 3-4 pickup truck loads
- • Dimensions: 14' × 7.5' × 3.5'
- • Weight limit: 1-2 tons
- • Cost range: $300-$500
15-Yard Dumpster - Full Garage Cleanout
Best For:
- • Full 1-car or partial 2-car garage
- • Years of accumulated storage
- • Includes some appliances
- • 20-30 boxes + furniture
- • Most typical garage cleanouts
Specifications:
- • Capacity: 4-5 pickup truck loads
- • Dimensions: 16' × 7.5' × 4.5'
- • Weight limit: 2-3 tons
- • Cost range: $300-$500
Perfect balance: Large enough for most garage cleanouts without overpaying for unused capacity.
20-Yard Dumpster - Large Garage Cleanout
Best For:
- • Full 2-car garage cleanout
- • Workshop dismantling
- • Multiple large appliances
- • 30+ boxes + major furniture
- • Decades of accumulation
Specifications:
- • Capacity: 6 pickup truck loads
- • Dimensions: 22' × 8' × 4.5'
- • Weight limit: 2-3 tons
- • Cost range: $350-$650
30-Yard Dumpster - Massive Cleanout
Best For:
- • 3-car garage or shop building
- • Decades of accumulation
- • Business/commercial garage
- • Combined garage + basement cleanout
- • Estate cleanouts
Specifications:
- • Capacity: 9-12 pickup truck loads
- • Dimensions: 22' × 8' × 6'
- • Weight limit: 3-4 tons
- • Cost range: $450-$800
Sizing tip: When uncertain between two sizes, choose the larger one. Renting too small and needing a second dumpster costs significantly more than booking the right size initially. Most companies charge less for the next size up than the cost of a second rental.
What Can Go In Your Garage Cleanout Dumpster
✅ Usually Accepted
- • Cardboard boxes and paper
- • Furniture and wooden items
- • Sports equipment
- • Garden tools (non-motorized)
- • Clothing and textiles
- • Small appliances (no freon)
- • Toys and household items
- • Metal items and hardware
- • Books and documents
- • Lumber and wood scraps
❌ Not Accepted
- • Paint and chemicals
- • Motor oil and automotive fluids
- • Car batteries
- • Propane tanks
- • Refrigerators/freezers (freon)
- • Tires
- • Electronics (TVs, computers)
- • Fluorescent bulbs
- • Asbestos materials
- • Gas-powered equipment with fuel
Prohibited Items Disposal
Most cities offer free or low-cost hazardous waste collection days for prohibited items like paint, chemicals, and electronics. Check your municipality's website or call your local public works department for collection schedules.
Appliances with freon require certified removal or disposal at designated facilities. Many appliance retailers offer haul-away services when you purchase new items. Some rental companies accept refrigerators with proper documentation of freon removal.
Garage Cleanout Efficiency Tips
Before the Dumpster Arrives
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Schedule donations first: Arrange Goodwill/Salvation Army pickup before your dumpster arrives
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Create zones: Set up "keep," "donate," "sell," and "trash" areas for sorting
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Gather tools: Have boxes, markers, gloves, and tools ready
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Line up help: Garage cleanouts go faster with 2-3 people
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Research hazmat disposal: Know where to take paint, chemicals, electronics
During the Cleanout
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Load heavy items first: Appliances and furniture on the bottom
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Break down boxes: Flatten cardboard to save massive space
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Fill gaps efficiently: Use smaller items to fill empty spaces
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Watch weight limits: Tools and appliances add up quickly - see weight guide
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Keep prohibited items out: Separate hazmat as you work
Cost-Saving Strategies
- • Donate valuable items to reduce dumpster size needed
- • Sell working tools and appliances online first
- • Share dumpster costs with neighbors doing similar projects
- • Get quotes from 3+ companies for best pricing
- • Pack efficiently to avoid upgrading size mid-project
- • Complete project within included rental period
- • Use driveway placement to avoid permit costs
- • Book during off-season for better rates
Real Project Examples with Exact Calculations
These examples show complete calculations for common projects. Use them as templates for estimating your own project's disposal needs.
Light Cleanout - Seasonal Purge
Project: 1-car garage partial cleanout
- • Cleared out old holiday decorations
- • Disposed of broken sports equipment
- • Removed 12 boxes of miscellaneous items
- • Donated usable items before dumpster arrived
- • Completed in one weekend day
- • 10-yard dumpster: $350
- • Filled to about 60% capacity
- • No weight issues
- • Efficient for project scope
- • Could have shared with neighbor
Full Cleanout - 2-Car Garage
Project: Years of accumulation, moving preparation
- • Full 2-car garage packed to ceiling
- • Disposed of old appliances (washer, freezer)
- • 30+ boxes, old furniture, tools
- • Workbench and shelving units removed
- • 3 days of sorting and loading
- • 20-yard dumpster (10 days): $500
- • Filled to 85% capacity
- • Weight: 3.2 tons (within 4-ton limit)
- • Sold valuable tools first - reduced volume
- • Good size choice - minimal wasted capacity
Workshop Dismantling
Project: Full workshop with heavy equipment
- • 3-car garage converted to woodworking shop
- • Heavy equipment, lumber, workbenches
- • Metal storage cabinets and shelving
- • Years of sawdust and wood scraps
- • 1 week project with hired help
- • 30-yard dumpster (14 days): $712
- • Extension fee: $40 (2 extra days)
- • Weight: 4.8 tons (over 4-ton limit)
- • Overage: $120 (1.5 tons @ $80/ton)
- • Total: $785 - heavy materials drove overages
Garage Cleanout Planning Summary
Most garage cleanouts need a 15-20 yard dumpster, costing $300-$500 to $650 for a standard rental period. The key to successful planning is honest assessment of your garage contents and efficient pre-sorting to separate keep, donate, sell, and trash items.
Start by reducing your disposal needs: Schedule donation pickups before your dumpster arrives and sell valuable items online. This often reduces the size you need by 20-40%, saving money on your rental.
When sizing, remember that garage items don't pack efficiently - add 25-30% to your volume estimate for wasted space. If uncertain between two sizes, choose the larger option. Use our size calculator for personalized recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 20-yard dumpster cost?
How long can I keep a dumpster?
What can't go in a dumpster?
Do I need a permit for a dumpster in my driveway?
What items should I not put in the dumpster from my garage?
Ready to Size Your Project?
Use our free calculator to find the perfect dumpster size