Garage Cleanout Dumpster Size: Complete Guide & Cost Breakdown
🏠 Quick Garage Cleanout Sizing
10-15 yard dumpster
$250-$400
15-20 yard dumpster
$350-$500
20-30 yard dumpster
$450-$650
Garage cleanouts are among the most popular dumpster rental projects, especially during spring cleaning and moving seasons. This guide covers everything you need to choose the right dumpster size, estimate costs, and maximize efficiency.
How to Choose Your Garage Cleanout Dumpster Size
Step 1: Assess Your Garage Contents
Walk through your garage and categorize items:
- Keep: Items you're definitely keeping
- Donate: Good condition items for charity
- Sell: Valuable items for garage sale/online
- Trash: Broken, worn out, or unusable items
- Special Disposal: Hazardous materials, electronics
Step 2: Estimate Dumpster Volume
Use these rough estimates for common garage 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
- 20 boxes: ~3 cubic yards
- Sports equipment pile: 2-3 cubic yards
- Garden tools: 1-2 cubic yards
- Paint cans/chemicals: 0.5-1 cubic yard
- Holiday decorations: 1-2 cubic yards
Step 3: Factor in Packing Efficiency
Garage items are often irregularly shaped and don't pack efficiently:
- Add 25-30% to your estimate for wasted space
- Consider breaking down large cardboard boxes and furniture
- Plan for last-minute finds - garages always have more than expected
Garage Cleanout Dumpster Sizes & Costs
🗃️ 10 Yard Dumpster - Small Garage Cleanout
- 1-car garage partial cleanout
- Seasonal item purge
- Light decluttering project
- 10-15 boxes + some large items
- Holds: 3-4 pickup truck loads
- Dimensions: 12' × 8' × 3.5'
- Weight limit: 2-3 tons
- Cost: $250-$400
🏠 15 Yard Dumpster - Medium Garage Cleanout
- Full 1-car or partial 2-car garage
- Years of accumulated storage
- Includes some appliances
- 20-30 boxes + furniture
- Holds: 4-5 pickup truck loads
- Dimensions: 14' × 8' × 4'
- Weight limit: 2-3 tons
- Cost: $300-$450
💡 Most Popular Choice: Perfect balance of capacity and cost for typical garage cleanouts.
🏗️ 20 Yard Dumpster - Large Garage Cleanout
- Full 2-car garage cleanout
- Workshop dismantling
- Multiple large appliances
- 30+ boxes + major furniture
- Holds: 6-8 pickup truck loads
- Dimensions: 22' × 8' × 4.5'
- Weight limit: 3-4 tons
- Cost: $350-$550
🏭 30 Yard Dumpster - Massive Garage Cleanout
- 3-car garage or shop building
- Decades of accumulation
- Business/commercial garage
- Combined garage + basement cleanout
- Holds: 9-12 pickup truck loads
- Dimensions: 22' × 8' × 6'
- Weight limit: 3-5 tons
- Cost: $450-$700
What Can Go In Your Garage Cleanout Dumpster
✅ USUALLY ACCEPTED
- • Cardboard boxes and papers
- • 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
❌ NOT ACCEPTED
- • Paint and chemicals
- • Motor oil and automotive fluids
- • Car batteries
- • Propane tanks
- • Refrigerators (contain freon)
- • Tires
- • Electronics (TVs, computers)
- • Fluorescent bulbs
- • Asbestos materials
Garage Cleanout Tips to Maximize Efficiency
Schedule Strategically
Spring and fall are peak seasons. Book 1-2 weeks ahead for better availability and pricing.
Start with a Plan
Create "keep," "donate," "sell," and "trash" zones before the dumpster arrives. Have helpers lined up.
Load Heavy Items First
Put appliances and heavy items in the bottom. Break down large boxes to save space.
Handle Hazardous Items Separately
Set aside paint, chemicals, and electronics for special disposal. Many cities have free hazmat days.
Consider Donation Pickup
Goodwill, Salvation Army, and other charities offer free pickup for large donations. Schedule before your cleanout.
Check Weight Limits
Garage cleanouts can get heavy quickly with tools and appliances. Ask about weight limits and overage fees.
Seasonal Considerations
🌸 Spring Cleanouts (March-May)
- • Highest demand - book early
- • Perfect weather for outdoor work
- • Garage sale season for sellable items
- • Charity pickups more available
- • Prices may be 10-15% higher
❄️ Winter Cleanouts (Dec-Feb)
- • Best pricing - low demand
- • Limited daylight hours
- • Weather-dependent scheduling
- • Holiday items to dispose of
- • Indoor storage while weather clears
Cost-Saving Strategies
💰 Ways to Save Money
- Donate valuable items first
- Sell appliances and tools online
- Check if neighbors want to share
- Get quotes from 3+ companies
- Pack efficiently to avoid upgrading
- Return early if you finish sooner
- Don't exceed weight limits
- Keep prohibited items out
The Bottom Line
Most garage cleanouts need a 15-20 yard dumpster, costing $300-500. The key is honest assessment of your garage contents and efficient pre-sorting to maximize space and minimize costs.
Pro tip: It's better to get a slightly larger dumpster than to pay overage fees or rent a second container. Most companies offer flexible sizing and will help you choose the right option.
Get Your Exact Garage Cleanout Size
Use our free calculator for a personalized dumpster size recommendation
Calculate Perfect Size →Last updated: September 15, 2025 | Written by the Dumpster Calculator Team