The best time to declutter your home is right before a move . After packing up a few boxes, you'll likely start to come across items that you no longer need or maybe haven't touched in a while. Instead of tossing these items into the trash, consider donating them instead.
Your old clothes, furniture, or kids' toys may no longer be useful to you. However, as long as they are still in good condition, they could still prove useful for someone else. Additionally, you'd be giving back to your community, which feels good. Here are a few places to consider donating your old belongings instead of throwing them out.
Where to donate unwanted stuff before a move
Charities and thrift stores
When you think about donating your belongings, one of the first places that comes to mind is probably Goodwill . This nonprofit chain has thousands of locations nationwide and accepts nearly anything. Items such as clothes, shoes, toys, electronics, sports equipment and furniture are among the most popular categories found in its stores. The Salvation Army is another popular charity organization that accepts many of those same items. Certain Salvation Army locations also accept appliances and vehicles in good condition.
If you're looking for a place to donate your old appliances and furniture, Habitat for Humanity Restore locations are also a good option. These are home improvement and donation centers that sell second-hand home hardware goods for a fraction of their retail price. Think of it like a discounted Lowe's hardware store. Habitat for Humanity Restores accepts a wide range of items, including appliances, furniture, lighting fixtures, building materials, tools, doors and more.
Large nonprofit organizations are one thing, but it's also worth checking out smaller, locally-owned thrift stores in your area. These shops have their own rules on what they will and won't accept, so be sure to ask ahead of time before dropping off a bunch of items. It's also worth noting that many nonprofits offer donation pickup for larger items, such as furniture and appliances. This eliminates the stress of trying to figure out how to get these items out of your home.
Local libraries and schools
For those looking to get rid of old books, consider visiting your local library. Even in the digital age, physical media still holds value for people who prefer to hold a book in their hands rather than reading from a screen. Libraries are usually happy to take second-hand books, DVDs and CDs off your hands, provided they're in good condition. Schools may also accept donations. If you have any kid-friendly books lying around, consider donating them to the local school district.
Food banks
If you have a move coming up sooner rather than later, you may not be able to use all the food in your pantry. Instead of throwing out perfectly good food, consider donating it to a local food bank. Canned goods and non-perishable foods are always appreciated. Some food banks will even accept more than just food, including items such as clothing, toiletries and cleaning supplies. No matter what you give, you're doing something good for your community.
Online marketplaces
Although it's not the quickest method of getting rid of unwanted items, listing them on online marketplace sites for free is another option you could choose. Sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are the most popular online marketplaces for local, in-person transactions (or donations in this case). After you list your item, the interested buyers will contact you, ask to meet up and then take the item off your hands.
While selling your items on these platforms is definitely a viable option, you'll dispose of them much quicker by listing them for free or a minimal amount of money if you're trying to make some cash. Either way, you'll be helping someone and getting rid of your old stuff.
Consider selling your items or hiring a junk removal service
If you have a little extra time on your hands, it might be worth trying to sell your belongings instead of just giving them away. You'll be getting rid of unwanted items while putting some cash in your pocket to use toward your move. Big-ticket items, such as furniture, vehicles and appliances, are always in high demand. The best places to sell these belongings would be on online marketplace sites, such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and eBay.
Not every item is worth selling, though. Anything that's broken, in disrepair or just plain filthy is likely better off in the garbage. If you're looking to do a thorough decluttering or have heavier items you want to dispose of, it might be best to hire a junk removal company . These services will haul away your unwanted items for a fee, sending them to landfills or recycling centers.
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