What to Do With Your Clutter: Creative Ways to Recycle, Donate, or Sell Unwanted Items

• Plastic: While not all plastics can be recycled, many common items such as bottles, jugs, and containers can be. Always check the recycling codes on plastics and follow your local recycling guidelines.

• Clothing and Textiles: If clothes are too worn out to donate, consider recycling them. Many fabric recycling programs accept old clothes, shoes, or linens to turn into rags or new fabric.

• Tip: Check your local recycling programs for specific guidelines and drop-off locations, or use services like TerraCycle, which specializes in hard-to-recycle materials

2. Donate to Charities and Organizations

One of the best ways to get rid of clutter is to donate it to those in need. Many organizations accept gently used items and will redistribute them to people who can use them.

• Clothing & Household Goods: Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local shelters often accept clothing, shoes, furniture, and household items. Many of these organizations also offer free pick-up services, making it easy to donate large items from home.

• Toys and Books: Donate unused or gently used toys, books, and games to local schools, libraries, or children’s hospitals. Many organizations are happy to give these items to children in need or distribute them during the holidays.

• Furniture and Appliances: If you have gently used furniture or appliances, consider donating them to places like Habitat for Humanity, which helps provide housing for those in need.

• Tip: Be sure the items are in usable condition. Most organizations will only accept things that can be put to immediate use. Call ahead or check online for donation guidelines.

3. Sell Unwanted Items

If you’re looking to make a little extra cash while decluttering, selling your unwanted items is a great option. There are many online platforms and local markets where you can sell things, ranging from clothing to furniture to electronics.

• Online Marketplaces: Websites like eBay, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist allow you to sell almost anything, from clothes to furniture to electronics. You can reach a wider audience and earn a fair price for your items.

• Garage Sales or Flea Markets: If you have a lot of items to get rid of, hosting a garage sale or setting up a booth at a flea market is a great way to sell multiple things at once. This option is perfect for items like books, small appliances, and kids’ toys.

• App-Based Selling: Apps like OfferUp, Mercari, and LetGo make it easy to list items for sale locally. You can quickly snap photos of your unwanted items and list them for sale, often with minimal effort.

• Specialized Resale: For designer clothes, vintage items, or electronics, you may want to look for specialized resale stores or online marketplaces. Sites like The RealReal or ThredUp accept gently used clothing, while Gazelle and Decluttr make it easy to sell used phones, laptops, and other tech gadgets.

• Tip: Clean and photograph items clearly before listing them. Be honest about the condition of the item and set reasonable prices based on its value.

4. Repurpose and Upcycle

If you’re feeling crafty, repurposing and upcycling can be a fun way to give old items a second life. By reimagining what something can become, you’re not only decluttering but also creating something new and unique for your home.

• Furniture Upcycling: Old wooden furniture like tables, chairs, and bookshelves can be given new life with a coat of paint, new hardware, or creative modifications. Turn a dresser into a bathroom vanity or an old wooden crate into a stylish coffee table.

• Clothing and Fabric: If you have old clothes that can’t be donated, consider turning them into something new. Old t-shirts can become rags or quilts, while worn-out jeans can be transformed into a trendy bag or tote.

• Jars and Containers: Glass jars, metal tins, and old bottles can be repurposed as storage containers, candle holders, or even planters for small plants.

• Tip: There are tons of DIY upcycling tutorials online, whether on Pinterest, YouTube, or craft blogs. Explore creative ideas and give your unwanted items a fresh, functional purpose.

5. Share with Family and Friends

Sometimes, the best way to pass on unwanted items is by offering them to family or friends who might need or appreciate them. Whether it’s a piece of furniture you no longer need or clothing that no longer fits, sharing with loved ones can be a great option.

• Tip: Let friends and family know about your decluttering efforts, and ask if they’d like to browse your items before you donate or sell them. Not only does it help them, but it also saves you time and effort in deciding what to do with everything.

Back to You

Decluttering doesn’t have to mean simply throwing things away. By recycling, donating, selling, or repurposing unwanted items, you can make your clutter work for you—and for others. Whether you’re looking to help the environment, earn some extra money, or simply declutter your home, there are countless ways to responsibly dispose of your belongings. So, before you toss that old gadget or unwanted clothing, consider these creative ways to recycle, donate, or sell, and give your items a second life.