Key Takeaways
- 30-yard and 40-yard dumpsters work best for large cleanouts, holding 12-16 pickup truck loads of stuff
- Measure your junk pile by figuring length × width × height (in feet) ÷ 27 for cubic yards
- Check both space and weight limits when picking your dumpster to avoid extra charges
- Get 10-20% more space than you think you need because broken furniture takes up more room
- Make sure your driveway fits the bigger dumpster sizes before ordering
Quick Answer
For a large cleanout, get a 30-yard or 40-yard roll-off dumpster. A 30-yard works for most whole-house cleanouts and fits 12 pickup truck loads. A 40-yard handles bigger jobs like clearing out multi-story homes or packed basements.
Why Large Cleanouts Need Bigger Dumpsters
Large cleanouts create way more trash than regular home projects. You’re dealing with entire houses worth of furniture, old appliances, boxes of stuff, and years of accumulated items. These jobs usually fill 15-25 cubic yards – that’s like emptying 12 pickup trucks worth of junk.
Regular trash pickup can’t handle this volume. You need a container that sits in your driveway for days or weeks while you work through everything. Most large cleanouts take 3-7 days to complete, depending on how much help you have and how packed the house is. For handy reference, other people’s first hand experiences on gauging dumpster sizes can be seen on forums like Reddit.
| Dumpster Size | Pickup Truck Loads | Space (Cubic Yards) | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-yard | 6-8 loads | 20 cubic yards | Basement or attic only |
| 30-yard | 9-12 loads | 30 cubic yards | Whole house cleanouts |
| 40-yard | 12-16 loads | 40 cubic yards | Big houses, packed homes |
30-Yard Dumpsters Handle Most Large Cleanouts
A 30-yard dumpster works for about 80% of large cleanout jobs. It’s big enough for a typical 3-bedroom house cleanout but not so huge that it takes over your entire driveway. The container is roughly 22 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 6 feet tall.
Perfect Jobs for 30-Yard Containers
Get a 30-yard when you’re cleaning out an entire house, getting ready for estate sales, or doing major decluttering before moving. This size handles 9-12 pickup truck loads worth of furniture, clothes, books, kitchen stuff, and general household junk. It holds about 180 regular trash bags if you packed everything that way instead.
Weight Rules Matter Too
Even though a 30-yard dumpster has lots of space, most rental companies limit weight to 3-4 tons (6,000-8,000 pounds). That sounds like a lot, but heavy stuff adds up fast. Mix your heavy items like washers and old furniture with lighter stuff like clothes and papers.
40-Yard Dumpsters for the Biggest Jobs
When 30 yards isn’t enough, step up to a 40-yard dumpster. These handle the really big cleanouts – think multi-story houses, hoarding situations, or commercial buildings. The container measures about 22 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and 8 feet tall.
When You Need Maximum Space
Choose 40-yard containers for houses with multiple levels, large basements full of storage, or properties with several outbuildings to clear. This size fits 12-16 pickup truck loads – equivalent to roughly 240 trash bags worth of stuff.
Driveway Space Requirements
The bigger size needs more room for delivery. Most driveways handle 40-yard containers fine, but tight streets or low tree branches can cause problems. Measure your driveway and check for overhead wires before ordering.
How to Figure Out How Much Junk You Have
Getting the right size starts with honestly estimating your debris volume. Many people underestimate how much stuff they actually have, especially in storage areas they haven’t touched in years.
Simple Measuring Method
Walk through each room and imagine all the junk piled up outside. For loose piles, measure length times width times height in feet, then divide by 27. That gives you cubic yards. Always add 15-20% extra because broken-down furniture and loose items take more space than you expect.
Common Items and Their Space
A standard couch takes about 4-6 cubic yards once you toss it in the dumpster. Refrigerators need 3-4 cubic yards. Mattresses are bulky at 3-4 cubic yards each. Packed boxes are more efficient – you can fit about 3-4 boxes per cubic yard of space.
| Common Items | Typical Weight | Space Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old refrigerator | 200-300 pounds | 3-4 cubic yards |
| Living room couch | 150-250 pounds | 4-6 cubic yards |
| Queen mattress | 60-100 pounds | 3-4 cubic yards |
| Packed moving boxes | 30-50 pounds each | 3-4 boxes per cubic yard |
Should You Get 20-Yard, 30-Yard, or 40-Yard?
The size choice depends on your specific situation. Here’s how these sizes compare for large cleanout work.
Why 20-Yard Usually Isn’t Enough
A 20-yard dumpster works fine for cleaning out just a basement or attic, but falls short for whole-house jobs. Most large cleanouts produce 20+ cubic yards of debris, so you’d need multiple containers or face overflow problems.
30-Yard vs 40-Yard: The Real Difference
Choose 30-yard for regular houses with normal amounts of stuff. Go with 40-yard when dealing with packed houses, multiple stories, or when you want extra space for peace of mind. The price difference is usually $50-100, but getting stuck with a too-small container costs more in the long run.
Loading Tips That Save Money
How you load your dumpster affects both safety and costs. Smart loading gets more stuff in the container while staying within weight limits.
Start Big, Fill Small
Put large furniture and appliances in first, then fill gaps with smaller items. Break down furniture when possible – taking apart bed frames and removing couch cushions creates more space. Spread heavy items throughout the container instead of loading all the heavy stuff on one side.
What Not to Put In
Don’t load paint cans, batteries, chemicals, or electronics in regular dumpsters. Most companies won’t take these items. Also avoid filling the container above the rim – that creates safety problems and extra fees.
“I’ve been doing cleanouts for 15 years, and I always tell people to start with a 30-yard for regular houses. You can upgrade later if needed, but running out of space halfway through creates headaches.” – Mike Rodriguez, Waste Management Specialist
Getting Help from Local Experts in Peoria
Working with experienced local companies makes cleanout projects go smoother. Zap Dumpsters gets you the right team to handle residential cleanouts throughout the Peoria area and understands what works best for different house types and situations.
Why Local Knowledge Matters
Peoria-area companies know local disposal rules, permit requirements, and placement restrictions. They can spot potential problems before delivery and suggest solutions that work for your specific property. Family-owned businesses like Zap Dumpsters also provide more flexible service than big national chains.
Additional Cleanout Resources
Beyond just dropping off a container, good local companies offer advice on efficient loading, weight management, and disposal regulations. If you’re also tackling garage cleanouts as part of your project, check out specialized guidance in this garage cleanout dumpster rental guide for targeted strategies.
Ready to Get Your Large Cleanout Started?
Call the team about the right dumpster size for your project
Call (309) 650-8954 NowConclusion
Picking the right dumpster size makes your large cleanout project much easier and more affordable. Most whole-house cleanouts work well with 30-yard containers, while really big jobs need 40-yard sizes. Take time to honestly estimate your debris volume, factor in both space and weight limits, and work with local companies that understand your area’s requirements. With the right planning and container size, you can tackle even the biggest cleanout projects successfully.
What Size Roll-Off Dumpster Should I Order for a Large Cleanout FAQs
How do I know if I need a 30-yard or 40-yard dumpster for my large cleanout?
You need a 30-yard dumpster for typical whole-house cleanouts with regular furniture and household items. Choose a 40-yard dumpster for really big houses, multi-story properties, or packed homes that will generate more than 12 pickup truck loads of debris.
What size roll-off dumpster should I order for a large cleanout if I have heavy appliances?
For large cleanouts with heavy appliances, get a 30-yard dumpster and mix the heavy stuff with lighter materials throughout the container. This helps you stay within the typical 3-4 ton weight limits while maximizing space.
Can a 20-yard dumpster handle a large cleanout project?
A 20-yard dumpster usually can’t handle true large cleanouts since these projects typically create 15-25 cubic yards of debris. The 20-yard size works better for partial cleanouts like just basements or attics rather than whole-house clearing.
How much does it cost to rent a large cleanout dumpster?
Large cleanout dumpster rental costs vary by size and location, with 30-yard containers typically costing $50-100 more than 20-yard sizes. Call local companies for exact pricing since costs depend on your area, how long you keep it, and local disposal fees.
What size roll-off dumpster should I order for a large cleanout if I have limited driveway space?
If you have limited driveway space, measure your available area first since both 30-yard and 40-yard dumpsters need about 22 feet of length. Talk to your rental company about placement options if space is tight in your driveway.
