Pick your moment
In Ottawa, timing matters. Late spring and early fall are ideal: it's warm enough to work with the door open and spread things on the driveway, and you'll want the car inside before the first heavy snow. Midsummer works too — just start early in the day.
Step 1: Decide what the garage is for
Before you touch anything, decide what the space needs to do. Park one car? Two? Store bikes and the lawnmower? Host a workbench? That decision is your filter for everything else. If an item doesn't serve the garage's purpose, it needs a different home — or no home.
Step 2: Sort into four zones
Use tape, tarps or chalk on the driveway to mark zones. Coloured painter's tape on 'keep' items is a simple way to tell a junk removal crew what stays.
- Keep: things that belong in the garage.
- Elsewhere: things that belong in the house, shed or basement.
- Give away: usable items for friends, neighbours, marketplace or donation.
- Remove: broken, unwanted or expired items.
Step 3: Deal with the hazardous stuff
Garages collect hazardous materials: old paint, motor oil, antifreeze, pesticides, pool chemicals, propane cylinders, car batteries. These usually shouldn't go into general waste, and most junk removal companies — including us — may not be able to take them.
The City of Ottawa runs household hazardous waste options; check ottawa.ca for current dates and locations. Keep these items together in a safe, ventilated spot until you can drop them off.
Step 4: Prep the big items
- Drain gas and oil from lawnmowers, trimmers and snowblowers.
- Remove propane tanks from barbecues.
- Empty and defrost any old garage fridge or freezer.
- Take down shelving units if you're getting rid of them — or ask us to.
Step 5: Book your pickup with good information
Photos of the 'remove' pile are the fastest way to an accurate quote. Include anything heavy separately. On pickup day, keep the driveway clear for parking, and you're done.
Step 6: Keep it that way
Wall-mounted hooks for bikes and tools, a labelled shelf for seasonal gear, and a one-in-one-out rule for sports equipment go a long way. A quick spring and fall check-in prevents the next big cleanout.