By: Jennifer Solomon
As the temperatures begin to warm up and spring finally makes an appearance, it’s time to go into cleaning mode. Let some fresh air in and make room for new clothes, furniture, and other items. Your annual spring cleaning is all about getting rid of the old and freshening up your home.
You can create more space for your favorite items in a closet or a drawer, donate gently-used clothes, and sell unwanted furniture or toys. Whether you decide to keep, sell, or donate your stuff, you’ll feel much better after a thorough spring cleaning.
Here are a few ideas to consider as you clean out your home.
Sell:
Swip Swap
Swip Swap is Facebook’s version of Craigslist. It is a safe place to connect with your community to buy, sell, and trade locally. All types of items can be posted for sale including clothing, shoes, household items, furniture, toys, baby items, and more. To find a local Swip Swap, log on to Facebook and type in Swip Swap in the search bar and Swip Swap group pages near your location will appear for you to choose from.
VarageSale
VarageSale is a platform where local Facebook groups get together and buy and sell within their community. VarageSale offers another online option to find great deals on items and earn extra cash by selling unused items. To find a local VarageSale, go to varagesale.com.
Consignment Shops
Don’t want the hassle of selling your items online? Try consignment shops. Consignment-shop owners generally don’t want to bother with poor-quality furniture, and some take only antiques. Other items consignment shops will take include clothing or household goods, but they should be in great shape. The shop owner will suggest a price for your item and split the proceeds 50-50 if it sells. The asking price may be reduced if your item doesn’t sell in 30, 60, or 90 days.
Find local consignment shops by doing a ZIP code search on the website of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops.
Donate:
Arizona Humane Society
The Arizona Humane Society will take old clothes, furniture, electronics, jewelry or other household items you want to clear out. They will also pick-up donations larger than two bags/boxes of clothes/items throughout the Valley. For Valley locations, go to azhumane.org or to schedule a pick-up, call 602-997-7585 ext. 2035.
Family Promise of Greater Phoenix
Family Promise provides emergency shelter and social services to help families move toward independent housing and self sufficiency. Family Promise provides basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter for families in transition. The organization keeps a wish list of needs and can be ordered directly from Amazon Smile. For more information, go to familypromiseaz.org.
Florence Crittenton
Florence Crittenton of Arizona offers a comprehensive continuum of care designed to help at-risk girls from 10 to 21 overcome issues of abuse, neglect, teen pregnancy, teen parenting, and behavioral and/or mental health problems. Donations may be dropped off at Florence Crittenton’s main office located at 715 W. Mariposa Street in Phoenix, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For large donations, call 602-254-7861to arrange pick up or to set a delivery appointment. For more information, go to flocrit.org.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are always looking for gently used building materials, appliances and home furnishings. All donations must be in resalable condition. Donations can be dropped off at one of the ReStore locations (Phoenix, Mesa, Peoria, Goodyear and Anthem) or schedule a donation pick-up by visiting the website for ReStore contact numbers or use the online donation pick-up form. Visit habitatcaz.org.
Goodwill of Central Arizona
By donating your gently used items to Goodwill, you’re helping Goodwill support more than 20 no-cost career centers throughout the Valley, Prescott and Yuma. Goodwill doesn’t turn down donations and will sort and sell just about anything you bring in. You can drop your donations off at a local store or schedule a home pick-up service. To schedule a home pick-up, contact 602-513-8444. For a list of donation centers, go to donate.goodwillaz.org and simply enter your zip code.
Public Libraries
Donate books, magazines, videos, CDs and DVDs to the Cave Creek, Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale or Scottsdale libraries. If they’re in good condition, they will accept them. Donations may be added to their collection or sold at the used book shops within their locations. Drop-off boxed or bagged donations to any of the library locations.
Phoenix library locations: .phoenixpubliclibrary.org
Scottsdale library locations: scottsdalelibrary.org
Glendale library locations: glendaleaz.com
Cave Creek – Desert Foothills Library: chapter2booksaz.com
Peoria library: library.peoriaaz.gov
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