The run-up to Christmas can be a hectic time of year, and one way to take some of the stress out of the festivities is to hire a skip. While it may seem like a costly solution to Christmas cleanup, skips can actually be a really cost-effective way to get rid of excess clutter and rubbish throughout the home. From getting rid of old decorations to clearing away unwanted furniture and appliances, there are lots of ways to make the most of hiring a skip for Christmas cleanup. Skips come in a range of sizes and can be hired for as little as a few days, so whatever the scale of your project, there's sure to be an option to suit your needs. Read on to find out how to make the most of hiring a skip for your Christmas cleanup.

Different sizes of skips and what they are used for

A key consideration when hiring a skip is choosing the right size. This will depend on the scale of the job, but skips come in several different sizes, so it's easy to find one that is right for you. If you are clearing away just a few items, such as unwanted furniture, appliances or decorations, a small skip may be suitable. This can be hired for up to five days and will hold a volume of between one and two cubic yards. If you have a lot of bulky items that need clearing but not a huge amount of general rubbish, a larger skip may be the best choice. These are typically 10 feet long, eight feet wide and four feet high, and can be hired for between one and two weeks. A standard skip is usually the most suitable for larger clean-up jobs, such as when you're removing large quantities of household rubbish. These are typically 12 feet long, eight feet wide and four feet high and can be hired for up to two weeks, although you may need to apply for a permit depending on your council's regulations.

How to prepare for hiring a skip

If you're hiring a skip for the first time, there are a few things you'll need to do to prepare. First of all, you'll need to decide which skip hire company you want to use, and then you'll need to phone them to book a skip. It's also a good idea to check when the skip-hire company requires payment. Most places will ask you to pay before they bring out the skip. Next, you'll need to decide where you want to place the skip. Most places will allow you to place the skip on your driveway or on the road outside your home, but if you live in a busy area, you may be required to put it on the pavement instead. The last thing you'll need to do is let your neighbours know that you're hiring a skip. Some people are not fond of skips being placed on the road outside their homes and may want you to move them.

Tips for making the most of the skip

- Hire a larger skip if you need to remove lots of bulky items. Having a larger skip will allow you to fill it up with more items, and you won't need to hire the skip for as long. - If you're hiring a skip for the first time, you may want to hire the largest skip you can so that you don't run out of space with a smaller skip. - If you're hiring a skip for just a few days, it's best to hire a smaller skip so that you can fill it up completely before it's emptied. - Make sure you line the base of the skip with a tarpaulin to avoid any damage to your driveway or pavement. - If you need to take away a lot of garden waste, you may want to hire a garden waste skip, which can hold a lot more than a standard household waste skip. The cost of hiring a garden waste skip will vary depending on where you live and how long you need the skip. - When loading up the skip, make sure you pack everything as tightly as possible to avoid it falling out of the skip.

How to clear away unwanted furniture and appliances

For bulky items, such as furniture and appliances, you'll need to hire a large skip. It's best to clean these items before hiring a skip, as you don't want to fill up the skip with dirty items. You can either place items in bags or, if they are small enough, place them loosely in the skip. Make sure that each item is properly labelled, so that the skip company can easily identify it when they come to empty the skip. If you have large items that you need to get rid of, such as a sofa or heavy appliances, you can put them out with the rubbish when you're hiring a skip. Just make sure that they're clean and dry, and that they aren't too big to fit in the skip.

How to dispose of Christmas trees

If you have a real Christmas tree, you can put it in the skip alongside other bulky items, or hire a garden waste skip to take away your tree. If you have an artificial Christmas tree, you can put it in the rubbish. If you have any decorations that are made from natural materials, such as leaves or pine needles, you can put them in the rubbish, while those made from synthetic materials should go in the recycling.

How to dispose of wrapping paper and cardboard

If you have unused wrapping paper, you can put it in the recycling, but you should avoid using any paper that has come into contact with food, as it could contaminate other paper and items. Cardboard boxes can also be recycled, although you may need to flatten them first. If you have cardboard that has come into contact with food, such as pizza boxes, you can put it in the rubbish.

How to dispose of batteries

You can dispose of old batteries by putting them in a plastic bag and putting the bag in your rubbish. If you have large quantities of batteries that need disposing, such as those for old toys, you can put them in the skip along with other items that need clearing away.

How to dispose of paint

If you have leftover paint that you don't want to keep, you can pour it down the sink or toilet, which will help break it down naturally. Alternatively, you can put it in the skip. You shouldn't pour paint directly into the ground, as it won't break down, so the best way to dispose of it is to put it in the skip.

How to dispose of broken items

If you have broken appliances or mechanical items that you want to throw away, you can put them in the skip. Alternatively, if they are small enough, you can put them in the rubbish.

How to dispose of medical items

Before disposing of medical items, such as syringes and needles, you need to make sure that they are clean and sterile. You can then put them in the rubbish.

How to dispose of paint tins

If you have leftover paint tins and don't want to use them to store paint, you can throw them away, but you need to take precautions to make sure that they don't leak and make a mess. You can do this by putting the paint tins in a plastic bag and then putting them in the rubbish.

How to dispose of soil

If you have soil that has come into contact with weed killer or another chemical, you should put it in a plastic bag and then throw it away. If it is clean soil that has come into contact with chemicals, you can put it in the skip.

Summary

Hiring a skip is a great way to make the most of your Christmas cleanup, and there are lots of ways to make the most of it. You can hire a skip for as long as you need and choose the size that is right for you. Once you've hired a skip, you'll need to make sure that you're following the correct procedures to dispose of different items.