Quick answer: Garages and basements hide a cleanout's surprises: paint, solvents, oil, propane tanks, tires, damp boxes and furniture that came in as parts. Take out hazardous materials first for the ecocentre, clear a path to the exit, group items by category and photograph every corner before asking for a quote.
The garage and basement collect whatever has no other home: old paint cans, tools, tires, boxes of keepsakes, furniture on hold. They are also the spaces where a cleanout takes longest if nothing was prepared.
Direct answer: hazardous materials first, then the path and the categories
Take out hazardous materials first (paint, solvents, oil, propane, batteries) and keep them apart for the ecocentre. Clear a path to the door, group the rest by category (keep, donate, remove) and photograph every corner. Tell the provider about damp or mouldy boxes and heavy items.
Key terms
- Hazardous household waste: paint, solvents, oil, batteries, propane tanks and other hazardous household products.
- Exit path: the clear route between the items and the door.
- Damp item: an item or box that has taken on water, often heavier and more fragile.
What you find and where it goes
| Typical item | Where it goes | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Paint, solvents, oil | Hazardous waste: ecocentre | Containers closed, apart |
| Propane tanks | Hazardous waste: ecocentre | Apart, sheltered |
| Batteries | Battery recovery | Apart |
| Tires | Separate channel | Ask the provider |
| Tools and metal | Reuse or recycling | Group together |
| Damp boxes | Usually disposal | Tell the provider |
| Furniture that came in as parts | Depends on condition | Measure the path |
Ecocentre instructions
The City of Montréal accepts hazardous household waste at its ecocentres under its instructions; for example, products must be in watertight containers of 20 litres or less. Asbestos is not accepted, and medications go back to a pharmacy.
The path and the stairs
Clear the basement stairs and the garage door, and measure the narrow points. See heavy items, special materials and logistics by type of place.
Next step
See house clearouts, then request a clearout quote.
Frequently asked questions
Should paint cans be emptied before the clearout?
No; keep them closed and take them to an ecocentre according to the instructions.
Are damp boxes accepted?
Mention them; they are handled differently.
Do tires go with everything else?
Ask; they often follow a separate channel.
Can hazardous materials be left for the crew?
Generally not in an ordinary load; they follow their own channel.
Sources
Sources checked on November 12, 2026.