Get Rid of Unwanted Household Items

In this tough economy more and more people are discovering what it is to truly be needy. Many of them are having second thoughts about how they looked at the needy when they were higher up the food chain. Loss of income can often lead to the loss of a family home. In times like this we are all called to do our best to help each other. There are several versions of the "pay it forward" idea, and while direct face to face help may be something you would like to do but you can't afford financially; simple things like donating unwanted household items can make a real difference to an individual, to a parent, to a child and it doesn't cost you anything but the time it takes to clean and sort your belongings.

So, you don't like cleaning huh? Join the club. While cleaning probably isn't your favorite task, looking at if from another viewpoint may help you get more into it. When you clean completely and get rid of the things you don't need you are eliminating having to move, clean or even see those things again. There are several ways in which you can make sure that your unwanted household items are received by someone who truly needs them.

Donating Unwanted Items Step 1

Go through your entire house as you clean and place everything that you haven't used in the past year in a pile (if you wear a size 12 then you don't need to be holding on to size 5 clothing). This pile can be located in a central room so that each family member can bring items to be donated from their rooms, offices and other parts of the house. Don't forget to go through the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen, and toys in the toy box. This is a time consuming project and will likely leave you shaking your head wondering if you'll ever get your house put back together. Not to worry, once you donate the items you'll have less "stuff" to clean and maneuver around so you will be able to organize and keep everything much neater than before.

Donating Unwanted Items Step 2

Now comes the fun part, you get to play with all of the items in your donate pile! No, not really. What you will need to do at this point is sort this random and quite unruly pile into different piles.

*Discard- items that are broken torn or otherwise unfit to donate.
*Toys- Any toys that are in good condition can be cleaned and donated
*Clothing and Shoes- Garments and footwear that are in good condition are ideal for donations.
*Dishes and Utensils- Any kitchen tools that you don't use that are just taking up cabinet space can be used by
a needy family
*Appliances and Sundry Items- Lamps, toasters, unwanted furnishing and any other items that are in good
condition but unused in your home will be welcome donations to someone in need.
*Blankets - Many homes have an abundance of linens and blankets, these are needed items by families that
have none.

As you go through the items in your original donation pile, test them, clean them and place them into a specific pile, even if all of your donations go to one place it is easier to get them where they need to go if like is with like.

Donating Unwanted Items Step 3

Box or bag all the items, label them with a marker or tags and begin calling your local churches, homeless shelters and community services to find out where these items are most needed. The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and several other community programs exist because of donations.Your unwanted household items make a world of difference to a family in need.

Children who otherwise wouldn't get anything for Christmas or their birthdays will benefit from the toys and clothing you donate. Those who are getting back on their feet in a homeless shelter will need appliances and furnishings when they find a new home. The family whose home burned down will be in need of every item available for their new home. You will find that many organizations will even come to your home to pick up donations. So really, what have you got to lose?

You may give up a Saturday afternoon, get rid of bunch of things that you don't need, and supply a few boxes and bags. What do you gain? The feeling of knowing that you are helping another family that is having a hard time, a family project to teacch your children the value of good will and charity, and possibly the good karma to keep from finding yourself in the same situation as a family you have helped.

Pay it forward, share your excesses, and help make the world a better place by simply cleaning out your clutter.