Garage cleanouts, estate cleanouts and general decluttering feel great, but what do you do with all the stuff you no longer need? 

Rather than tossing everything in the trash, consider donating your unwanted items to local charities and organizations. There are many in the Lake Country area that accept gently used items, keeping them out of landfills and putting them in the hands of someone who can use them. But how do you sort the trash from someone else’s treasure? 

Popular Household Items You Can Donate 

Whether you just finished a big clean out or are about to get started, here’s a helpful list of some of the most sought-after donated items to keep in mind as you are sorting through your clutter.  

Clothing & Accessories

Seasonal items are always in the highest demand. In the summer that’s things like t-shirts, shorts, dresses, active wear and lightweight workwear. For our cold Wisconsin winters, it includes heavy winter coats, snowpants, hats and mittens, as well as sweaters, long pants and boots. 

Furniture & Home Décor

If you have furniture that no longer matches your style or maybe you are downsizing to a smaller home and it just doesn’t fit in your new place, consider donating it. Popular furniture items include dining tables and chairs, dressers, nightstands, lamps, bookshelves, accent chairs and other decorative items. 

Electronics & Small Tech

While technology is constantly changing and updating, a lot of unused electronics can still be incredibly helpful for others. Working tablets, laptops, smartphones and flat screen TVs and other devices and accessories can usually be donated.

Everyday Kitchen Items

For someone just starting out or starting over, setting up an entire kitchen can be a daunting task. Second-hand home essentials like pots and pans, dishware, flatware, cooking utensils, towels, toasters, blenders, and microwaves, can make it a whole lot easier. 

Partially & Unused Office, Art & Hobby Supplies

Random craft supplies, half-used paint, yarn scraps and leftover printer paper might seem like an easy one to toss, but these types of items are often gladly accepted by local schools and community centers. 

Linens & Towels

Before tossing old or stained blankets and towels, check with your local animal shelter. They are often in need of bedding, towels and cleaning clothes. 

Tools & Building Materials

Start and never finish a DIY home improvement project? Or maybe you just have leftover material? Tools as well as unused building supplies like tiles, paint and flooring can often be donated to organizations like Habitat for Humanity.

Books, CDs & DVDs

There was a time when everyone seemed to have a tower of CDs or DVDs proudly displayed in their living room. As media moved to digital, many people no longer have a need for the physical materials, but your old books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl records could be read or listened to and loved again by someone else. Popular items for donation include children’s books, novels, educational materials, cookbooks as well as movies and music. 

Empty Bins, Boxes & Hangers  

If your cleanout was successful, you hopefully have some empty boxes, bins and hangers. These items can be helpful for someone packing for a move, just starting out or hoping to organized their own garage or basement.

Clear Out the Clutter with Couple More Guys™

Donating your unwanted and gently used items helps people in need, supports local charities, reduces landfill waste and helps to improve and declutter your own space. But it’s not always that easy to do. From cleaning out and decluttering to finding a donation center and hauling your donatable items away, there’s a lot to it. But a Couple More Guys® can make it easier, faster and safer. 

Our two-person insured crews regularly handle garage, basement, storage, shed and estate cleanouts and we can come ready with a truck to take the heavy, awkward, or just plain inconvenient items off your hands and deliver them to donation centers when possible. Schedule a crew today.