Everyone has items in their homes that they no longer want or need, and these items can be a real burden when you’re struggling for space. What’s more, clutter can quickly make a space look disorganized, so it would benefit you and people in need to rid your space of this clutter. This can be done by donating these items to people in need in order to support charitable organizations and positively affect your community. Whether you wish to help widows and orphans or people in difficult financial situations, decluttering and donating can be incredibly powerful, and you can learn more about it below.
Why Declutter and Donate?
There are a number of benefits that come from decluttering, and these benefits extend all the way from your home environment to your mental well-being. With a tidy space comes reduced stress, increased productivity, and a more serene living environment. The benefits go way beyond these personal ones, though; by donating your unwanted items, you’re able to help others massively. After all, there are various people out there who don’t have access to even the most basic necessities, and your donations can give them the essential resources they need. Similarly, there are multiple charitable organizations that need donations to keep their operations and community programs running.
Getting Started with Decluttering
- Plan Your Decluttering Session
If you establish a time in which you’d like to get started with your decluttering, then it will be easier to make it happen. From a couple of hours daily to a full weekend, setting aside a dedicated time like this allows you to focus and get organized.
- Divide and Conquer
When you look at the house as a whole, everything can seem a bit overwhelming, and this can put you off making a start. As a result, you should divide your home into manageable sections (e.g., different rooms or areas). Closets, kitchen cabinets, and storage rooms are all good starting points.
- Sort Items Methodically
You can’t go wrong with the three-box method. This involves having one box for items to keep, one for items to donate, and one for items to dispose of. With this method, it becomes so much easier to make quick decisions and maintain organization.
What to Donate
Ahead of donating, you need to gauge an understanding of what items are suitable for donation. Detailed below are just some of the most commonly accepted items by charitable organizations:
- Clothing and accessories – Used clothing, shoes, and accessories are just some of the things that are always in demand. Just make sure they’re clean and in good condition.
- Household items – Kitchenware, small appliances, and household goods are just some of the items that can be incredibly useful to others.
- Furniture – The vast majority of charities will accept furniture that’s in good shape.
- Books and toys – Little ones in need will always be grateful to receive books and toys.
- Electronics – Working electronics like phones, computers, and other gadgets are widely accepted by charities.
Finding the Right Charity
After sorting out your items, you need to find somewhere for them to go. You should consider the following when it comes to selecting the right organization:
- Research Local Charities – Firstly, look for charities in your area, as this will allow you to help the community directly. What’s more, you can save on transportation costs and emissions.
- Check Accepted Items – Different charities have different needs, so look out for the charity that’s happiest to accept the items you’re planning to donate.
- Understand Their Mission – You should always choose a charity that resonates with you. Donate to what you care about.