Household cleanouts
A dumpster for a garage, basement or attic cleanout
Old furniture, boxes nobody has opened since the last move, a rusted grill and a carpet roll. A roll-off lets you clear the whole space in one push instead of a dozen runs.
Call hours: Monday to Saturday 8am–8pm, Sunday 8am–1pm (South Bend time)
Size it by the space you're emptying
Household junk is bulky but light, so space runs out long before weight does. A single-car garage packed to the rafters often fills a 10 or 15-yard container. A finished basement with furniture, shelving and carpet usually calls for a 20. Emptying a whole house of stored things is 30-yard territory.
If you can't decide between two sizes for a cleanout, the larger one is usually the safer pick, because the last day always turns up more than you expected. The sizes page has typical dimensions.
Pull these aside before you start loading
Usually fine in the container
- Furniture, shelving and old mattresses (ask, as some companies charge extra for mattresses)
- Boxes, toys, clothing, holiday decorations
- Carpet, rugs and padding, rolled and tied
- Broken lawn chairs, bikes and plastic bins
Set these apart
- TVs, monitors and computers: Indiana households may not throw them out; St. Joseph County takes them at its two drop-off sites
- Half-full paint cans, pool chemicals, pesticides and old motor oil
- Propane cylinders and gas cans
- Old tires (the Kerr Street site takes a few each year)
Stairs, hatches and the long walk out
Basements and attics are emptied by the armful, and the container's position decides how many steps each trip takes. Ask for it as close to the door you'll use as the driveway allows. In older South Bend neighborhoods with a garage on the alley, a container behind the house can save the walk around the side.
A container in the alley counts as the public right-of-way in South Bend, so it needs the city's occupancy permit and a bonded company. The permit guide explains how that works.
Cleanout questions
Can I fill it over several weekends?
Yes, as long as the rental period covers it. Ask how many days are included and what an extra day costs before the container arrives.
Do I have to sort recyclables out?
Not usually for a household cleanout, but cardboard breaks down flat and leaves more room. Ask the company whether it wants metal kept separate.
Book a roll-off for your project
Describe what you're getting rid of. An independent local roll-off company will suggest a container, offer delivery dates and give you its price.
Use this number to rent a roll-off or a portable toilet. South Bend garbage, recycling and bulk pickup questions go to 311.
Call hours: Monday to Saturday 8am–8pm, Sunday 8am–1pm (South Bend time)
Your call may be recorded; see the referral disclosure.