Anything that doesn't serve you shouldn't have a place in your home and your life. If you just bought one of Glenwood homes for sale, decluttering will make your move easier and less costly. But one of the obstacles you'll face is deciding what to do with the unloved, unused stuff you want to get rid of. Well, donating your items is a really great way to make a difference in someone's life and keep your home clutter-free. Some items, however, are better off recycled or thrown away. As a general rule of thumb, only allocate something to the "Donate" pile if it's in working condition, looks appealing, and is of decent quality. Items that won't be doing anyone any good should be tossed. Read on to get an idea of what to and what not to drop off at your local donation center.

• Unwanted Clothing
  If you haven't won the clothes in the back of your closet for over a year, it's time to make room for new love. Sort through your closet and donate old clothing, shoes, and accessories that you never wear but are still in good condition. The chances of that sock being reunited with its partner are slim, so you're better off tossing orphaned socks or repurposing them as dust rags. Anything in your closet that has holes or stains should be tossed.
  
  
• Outdated Technology
  It goes without saying that VCRs, CDs, tube-style television, cassettes, floppy disks, clunky last-gen laptops, and obsolete phones should be long gone. Many donation centers won't accept these items, but they can be recycled and repurposed into new gadgets. Old cellphones can be donated to Cell Phones for Soldiers, an organization that recycles cellphones and tablets and uses the proceeds to send prepaid international cards to troops. Before passing your old tech device along, back up any important data and wipe them clean of personal info.
  
  
• Books
  Do you have boxes of books that have served their purpose or those that weren't worth reading once? A local library, bookstore, literacy group, or charity may find a good home for them. Some books, however, don't deserve to be donated. We're talking about obsolete non-fiction books, books that are damaged in any way, books with strong smells, and fiction books that everyone has too many of. These deserve to be trashed or recycled.
  
  
• Old Linens and Textiles
  Towels and linens that are stained or faded should be thrown away. Those that are just worn out can be donated to an animal shelter. Tablecloths, cloth napkins, extra bed linens, and furniture can be donated to local shelters and other support agencies that help individuals get back on their feet.
  
  
• Kitchenware and Pantry Items
  You can donate any non-perishable food you no longer need to a local food pantry. The best items to donate include canned fruit and vegetables, canned tuna, nut butters, rolled oats, canned soups, and rice. Foods for donation should be non-expired and in non-compromised packaging. Toss or compost any other stuff that has been left in the back of your fridge or pantry. Donate kitchen appliances, extra baking ware, dishes, table setting, or mugs you haven't used in over a year. Throw away any kitchen items that are chipped, cracked, broken, stained, worn-out, missing pieces, or clearly unusable.
  
  
• Toys
  Unless they're easily fixed, broken toys and those with missing pieces should be tossed in the trash. This is the same for dried-up markers, broken crayons, and colored pencils down to the nub. Make some little ones happy by donating toys, stuffed animals, toys your child hasn't played with in ages, and toys your child has outgrown. Sort the books and recycle those with broken covers and ripped pages. Donate the ones your child has outgrown and but don't be afraid to keep the special ones.

If there's a new home in your plans, our agents can help find Maple Grove homes for sale that are just right for you and your family. Call today to discuss your goals and find out what we can do for you.