The Hidden Cost of Letting Junk Pile Up - and How to Avoid Them

Salvador Hurtado

It’s easy to let junk pile up.

A few old chairs in the garage, a broken mattress behind the shed, some leftover boxes from the last move — it happens to everyone.

But what a lot of people don’t realize is that letting junk sit around can actually cost you more than just space.

It can cost you real money, safety, and peace of mind.


Here’s what you’re risking by letting junk pile up — and how you can avoid it:


1. Lost Space = Lost Value


Every square foot of your property has value.

When a garage, yard, or storage unit is full of junk, you’re paying for space you can’t even use.

Think about it: a clean garage could store a vehicle, save you money on storage fees, or even add value if you ever sell your home.

Letting junk take over wastes one of your biggest assets — your space.


2. Safety Risks


Stacks of old furniture, broken appliances, and random clutter aren’t just ugly — they’re dangerous.

In El Paso's dry, dusty weather, junk piles can attract pests like mice, snakes, and spiders.

There’s also the risk of trips, falls, and accidents, especially if you have kids or older family members around.

The longer junk sits, the bigger the risk.


3. Property Damage


Moisture can build up inside mattresses, sofas, and scrap piles, especially during rainy seasons.

Rust, mold, and rotting materials can damage your floors, concrete, and walls.

What started as “just a few things” can end up costing you thousands in repairs if junk sits long enough.


4. Higher Removal Costs Later


The truth is, junk doesn't get easier to remove over time — it gets harder.

When items get heavier from weather damage, harder to access, or mixed with other debris, the cleanup costs more.

Removing it early saves you time, effort, and money.


5. Mental Clutter and Stress


It’s not just about the physical space.

Studies show that clutter in your environment increases stress and decreases mental clarity.

Getting rid of junk actually lifts a huge mental weight — clearing out your space can help clear your mind too.


How to Avoid These Hidden Costs:


The best solution?

Take action early.

You don’t have to do it alone — professional junk removal services like Jirafa Junk Removal make it fast, affordable, and stress-free.

Whether it’s an old mattress, a packed storage unit, or just a few bulky items you need gone, we can help you clear your space before it costs you more.


If you’re ready to take back your garage, backyard, or storage unit —

give us a call today.

Local, honest, hardworking — that's the Jirafa way.


By Salvador Hurtado

The Hidden Cost of Illegal Dumping in El Paso- And How We Can Stop It

By Salvador Hurtado • June 14, 2025
You sent Every week in El Paso, you can drive through certain neighborhoods or desert backroads and see the same thing: old mattresses, broken furniture, tires, and bags of trash left behind like nobody’s problem. But it is somebody’s problem — it’s all of ours. At Jirafa Junk Removal, we see this every day. While we're out picking up junk the right way, we also see what happens when others take the shortcut. And it's hurting our city more than most people realize. --- 💸 The Hidden Cost Illegal dumping isn't just ugly — it’s expensive and dangerous. 🏚️ It ruins neighborhoods. Dumped trash in alleys and empty lots drags down property values and makes areas feel abandoned. 🐀 It brings pests and disease. Junk piles attract rats, roaches, and stray animals, which spread bacteria and bad smells. 🔥 It’s a fire hazard. In the heat of El Paso, trash can become fuel for fires, especially near desert brush. 💰 It costs taxpayers. The City of El Paso has to clean it up — which means we all pay for it.
If you're looking to clear out old furniture, appliances, or general junk in El Paso

How Much Does Junk removal Cost in El Paso

By Salvador Hurtado • June 14, 2025
If you're looking to clear out old furniture, appliances, or general junk in El Paso, one of the first questions you probably have is: “How much does junk removal cost around here?” At Jirafa Junk Removal, we keep our prices simple, honest, and affordable — especially compared to big national companies that charge way more for the same service. Let’s break it down 👇 --- 💵 Jirafa Junk Removal Pricing (16-Foot Trailer) We use a large 16-foot trailer — that’s about 16 to 18 cubic yards of space, enough to haul away serious clutter. Here's our standard pricing: Load Size Description Price ¼ Load Small jobs – few bulky items $100 ½ Load Furniture, appliances, boxes $175 ¾ Load Large cleanouts $250 Full Load Entire garage or major cleanup $325 ✅ Pricing includes pickup, labor, and dump fees ✅ We do all the heavy lifting ✅ Same-day or next-day available --- 🆚 National Company Comparison Let’s compare that to some national brands in El Paso: Company Avg. Price for Full Load (16 yd³) Junk King $500