Donating Dos and Don'ts
Whether you're moving, spring cleaning or need more space, donating some of your extra things is a major double win. Not only are you freeing up space around your home by getting rid of unused stuff, but you're also simultaneously passing these things on to someone who actually needs it. Sounds great, right? Before you get started let's take a quick look at what should go in the donating pile versus the dumpster.
Keep in mind that although many donating facilities will clean and/or wash any items that are donated you should still do your best to tidy up your donations before dropping them off. We know this is a pain but think about it this way — if you would be embarrassed to lend the item to a friend in the current condition then you really shouldn't be handing it off to a donation facility without a little attention beforehand.
Do Donate ✅
- Lightly worn clothing
- Shoes
- Jackets
- Ties
- Belts
- Purses
- Wallets
- Jewelry
- Furniture
- DVDs and DVD players
- CDs and CD players
- Radios and speakers
- Candles
- Baskets
- Shelves
- Curtains
- Small appliances (blender, toaster, microwave, coffee pot, etc.)
- Pots and pans
- Plates, cups, mugs, utensils
- Bed sheets
- Comforters
- Blankets
- Towels
- Toys
- Books
- Puzzles
- Bikes
- Roller Blades
- Sporting equipment
- Holiday decorations
While many things can (and should) be donated, there are some things that sadly just can't be reused and it's best to lay them to rest. Don't forget to thank the item for the joy that it brought you while you owned it before saying your final farewell (Marie Kondo would be so proud!)
Don't Donate ❌
Trash 'em, or if possible, recycle the following items:
- Ripped clothing
- Overly stained clothing
- Shoes that have no tread or the sole has come off
- Broken furniture
- Chipped or broken dishes
- Books that are torn apart or missing pages
- Workbooks/coloring books that have been used
- Magazines
- Games or puzzles with missing pieces
- Scratched CD'S, DVD'S or video games
- Toys with battery leakage
- Mattresses/Boxsprings
- Large appliances
- Expired or recalled items
- Things that hold moisture like humidifiers or dehumidifiers
If you ever find yourself in doubt about whether an item falls under the "donate it" or "trash it" category, you can always give your local donation facility a quick call for guidance.
Now that you have the official low down on donating best practices there's no stopping you! And, once you get started you might just find out how good it feels to gift someone else with something that you have no need for any longer. After all, what goes around comes around. Happy donating!
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