Decluttering can be healthy for your environment. You may also want to Kon-Marie your house, get rid of unwanted items, or get rid of everything. Wanting a fresh start with all different products can be daunting. Most of them likely can’t be heirlooms. Posting the items online for sale doesn’t get them all cleared. Some items aren’t worth donating. Going as far as leaving your door open for burglars to help themselves doesn’t get rid of everything. So how can you?
How to get rid of unwanted items
The first step is to gather everything and classify it into what you want to donate, sell, recycle, discard, or repurpose. This may be overdue considering how many items you may have purchased during the pandemic that you no longer need. Collating the items helps light a fire under your seat to get you to eliminate your items as soon as possible. Categorising them makes it easier to organise the process. You can also classify them into the different roles these items play. For instance, you can separate kitchen items from electronics, linens, stationery, clothes, shoes, furniture, tools, and miscellaneous.
1. List items individually
One important thing to remember is that not everything is valuable. If you’re clearing up the unwanted items of someone who’s travelled or passed away, you can’t assume what is of sentimental value translates into financial value. However, some items may be highly valuable. You can list them individually on e-commerce websites. For example, if you have plenty of handbags you want to get rid of, sell them apiece rather than a group. This reduces the burden of dealing with a load for your buyers.
2. Use buzzwords
If you have vintage unwanted items, you can add buzzwords for people who like a more old-fashioned aesthetic. Whether you’re selling or giving away, adding keywords that match what people want can help you get rid of items faster. For example, say you bought a plastic skeleton lamp you no longer need. You can share a post about it on social media as a lightweight goth lamp. Adding stories of heritage may work if you’re targeting collectors. Books and other artistic items can pick up more interest if they have a story behind them. Something like an ashtray with a unique design is more likely to be picked up if it was a “colonial era ashtray used by a second world war colonel”. If you don’t know how to price the items, check for similar items online to determine your starting price. If the item is collectable, put it up for auction.
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3. Social media is your friend
Facebook and Instagram are great tools to sell your unwanted items. Localised or specialised Facebook groups are a great place to list stuff. They also get buyers within your area or further away. This is a great way to get rid of fast-moving products like electronics, clothes, shoes, or furniture. You can also wait to list your items seasonally. Items like textbooks, desks, and notebooks can sell more during back-to-school and New Year’s seasons. Duvets, socks, jumpers, or sweaters can sell faster during the cold season. Remember that the main goal is to eliminate your unwanted stuff, not play for a profit.
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4. Donate unwanted items responsibly
You can’t just take a box of your unwanted items to a church or children’s home and dump them there. This puts the onus of disposal on these organisations. Research on which organisations need items and what they require. If it’s a shelter or church that needs clothes and shoes, ensure they’re cleaned and well-folded. Make sure they’re also repaired if they have any tears. People in need also post what they may require on social media. Take precautions when meeting with strangers to give away items. Some thrift stores also buy items in bulk if they’re in good condition.
5. Do a giveaway party for your unwanted items
If you can’t do a yard sale, consider holding a small event with neighbours, friends, and family where they can have their pick of the items you want to get rid of. If you’re getting rid of everything and starting anew, people will want your electronics, clothes, shoes, books, or other popular items.
6. Barter
Some salespeople are willing to trade buckets and trolleys for dead phones. Electronics shops can also take dead electronics for smaller items or minimal cash in order to raid the appliance for spare parts. The more modern the appliance, the more likely you are to get a trade-off. Carpentry shops can also take old furniture and exchange it for another piece. For example, you can trade a well-maintained couch set for a coffee table. Some vendors may ask for a cash top-up.
You can also leave unwanted items like dead electronics, mattresses, or furniture next to the garbage collection area. This allows waste and disposal workers to assess what they can take for their own purposes. Sometimes, other neighbours or traders in the area can find a use for functional items you no longer need.
7. Find willing buyers
Electronic waste is a growing problem in a fast-evolving world. The planned obsolescence of most devices means that phones or personal computers stop being functional within a few years. There are many organisations dedicated to buying electronic waste and getting it recycled. Some also have rewards programs for the amount of e-waste that you deliver to them. Technology: Managing Electronic Waste For A Safer Environment
Items like books also always have a market. Libraries can ask for donations of fiction and nonfiction titles and sometimes, the condition of the book may not matter. In addition, second-hand booksellers can buy multiple titles for a small fee and give you a few books of your choice from their collection. Some are also willing to take donations of well-preserved books.
To prevent the build-up of items you don’t require, periodically go through them to see what you need to toss out. Add decluttering to your calendar and once you’ve organised unwanted items into what you want to sell, donate or recycle, eliminate them once they’ve reached a certain weight or number. Start simple to avoid being overwhelmed.
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