So, you’ve decluttered your home—now what? Usually, items in your discard pile can be disposed of sustainably, donated to a good cause, or even sold. Whether you’re moving in a hurry, downsizing, or just doing some spring cleaning, here are 11 ways to get rid of decluttered items!
Donate Items
Consider donating any decluttered items that are still in good condition! Not only does this give them a second life—but it’s also a great way to give back to your community, and live more sustainably. From local drives calling for specific items to donation centers, here are a few places where you can donate household items to.
Thrift Stores
Local thrift stores are a perfect place to start if you’re looking to donate. There are national thrift stores with donation drop-off centers like Goodwill and Salvation Army, but make sure to check out what local secondhand stores will accept too! If you have unused clothes, furniture, toys, or household items like dishes and decor lying around, consider donating them to people in need. Keep in mind some stores may have limits on seasonal items like donating winter clothes during the summer or vice versa, so be sure to check what items the stores will accept seasonally.
Churches
You can also donate to churches, which often accept donations of gently used items. Sometimes, they may ask for specific items like coats or toys, but they may also accept other household items as well. Call around to see what churches in your local area are currently accepting donations!
Local Charities
Many local charities and nonprofit organizations will accept gently used items like clothing, toys, books, furniture, electronics, housewares, and more. If you have a pet, many humane societies will even accept old toys, water and food bowls, pet carriers, leashes, and collars. The best way to find out what items charities are accepting is to give them a call or check their websites before dropping off—they may be looking for items you haven’t thought about.
Give Away
Similar to donating, reaching out to your friends and family to see if they need anything is a great way to get rid of decluttered things. Let them know what you’re getting rid of and ask if they’re interested. You may have multiple items that a friend or family member could use! Alternatively, online sites like Freecycle allow you to list items for free to be shipped to those in need. You can even create a post in your community Facebook group indicating you have free items for anyone wanting them.
Sell Items
Not sure what to do with your decluttered stuff? Try selling it! There are many different avenues you can take to sell your decluttered items and make a bit of money as well. Just keep in mind this will take time! First, determine if there’s demand for your item and set a time limit for how long you’ll have it listed before you consider donating.
Garage Sales
If you have items to get rid of and want to do some serious downsizing, consider organizing a garage sale. These are especially convenient if you have large items like furniture or tables to sell, since garage sales don’t require you to move them very far. Overwhelmed about planning a garage sale on your own? Reach out to your neighbors to see if they’d be interested in doing a joint garage sale! You’ll want to set up some tables and hanging racks to display your “for sale” items, add price stickers or leave out pricing sheets, and create an organized space for shoppers. Advertise your garage sale on your social media accounts and put up neighborhood signs, so people know when and where you’re selling!
Online Marketplaces
Selling your items online is another simple way to get rid of decluttered stuff! If you want to stay local, Facebook Marketplace is an ideal destination for selling furniture online and other household items, or you can sell a variety of items on Craigslist. Getting rid of clothes? Create a Poshmark account, so you can list, sell, and ship your items directly to buyers. Depending on what you’re selling, other marketplaces include eBay, Mercari, Amazon, and thredUP.
Local Vintage Shops
Check out the vintage stores and consignment shops near you to see if you can sell items! Depending on the specialty of the shop, they may only accept certain kinds of items like collectibles, clothing, or home decor. Nevertheless, this is a great way to make some money and support local businesses by contributing to their inventory.
Auctions
If you’re decluttering your home and find some antique or rare collectible items, consider selling them at an auction. There are a lot of regional auction houses, so make sure to look up when and where auctions are taking place near you. While it may take extra work to auction your items, the payoff can be rewarding.
Reuse or Dispose of Items
If donating or selling household items isn’t on the table—whether they’re things you don’t want to spend the time selling or items that can be repurposed—you may need to recycle or throw them away. Fortunately, there are a few different options for recycling your old belongings if you don’t want to dispose of items traditionally!
Repurpose
Another way you can recycle items is to repurpose them, so they can have a new life! There are endless DIY projects out there for your decluttered items. From upcycling and repurposing furniture and crafting home decor to painting dressers and cabinets, there are tons of possibilities when you decide to repurpose your items!
Recycle
One sustainable solution for getting rid of clutter is to recycle it. Instead of just throwing them away, many household items are recyclable, including books, clothing, bedding, some electronics, and more. You may even have bins located throughout your community that are designated for recycling specific items. Reach out to your local recycling center to learn more about what can and can’t be recycled.
Throw Away
If you’re decluttering and find you have heavily worn or broken items, it may be best to throw them away. As you go through items, ensure they can’t be recycled, donated, or repurposed first. Many household items like glassware, knives, picture frames, sewing machines, and more can’t be recycled. Contact your local waste management services to ensure the items you put in the trash, like furniture or appliances, can be disposed of.
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Have items you’ve decluttered but don’t want to get rid of? Keep your home organized and clutter-free by storing unused items! Extra Space Storage has secure self storage facilities located across the U.S. that can help. Find a storage unit near you!
