Spring Cleaning Donation Ideas

With the new spring season comes the perfect time to deep clean your home. There are many benefits to spring cleaning, like creating a more organized home and reducing stress levels, but one perk we sometimes forget about is the opportunity to donate items. Not only does this help you declutter, but it helps those in need as well!

Below is a guide from the AARP to help you identify items to donate while performing your annual spring cleaning tasks.

Pantry Items: Do not forget to include your pantry as part of your kitchen’s spring cleaning! If you have any extra nonperishable items, such as a bag of rice, canned items, coffee, peanut butter or baby formula, a local food bank or food drive would be a great place to donate these. Just make sure to check the expiration date beforehand.

Books: One great way to organize your shelves is to donate books you have already read. Many libraries will gladly accept used books, or you could even send your used books to our troops overseas through Operation Paperback.

Clothing: Whether you have formal wear or casual clothes you no longer need, there are endless organizations who accept donated clothes. You could donate a winter coat you no longer want to a coat drive, give some business clothes you no longer wear to Dress for Success or bring some of your clothes or blankets to a local homeless shelter.

Spare Household Goods: Charities are often in need of household goods and personal care items, such as dishes, pots, pans, toothpaste, deodorant and baby wipes. The American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill are all organizations that accept household goods, but make sure to double check their donation guidelines before donating.