More than 70 percent of Americans engage in the annual tradition of spring cleaning, according to a 2013 survey by the American Cleaning Institute. But one of the most common dilemmas for spring cleaners is what to do with all that stuff. As the green movement grows, consumers are increasingly concerned about reusing and recycling.
At Goodwill®, we collect used items and put the revenues from their sales toward job training programs and community-based services that can lead to fresh starts for people who are unemployed or underemployed. To get this year’s spring cleaning season off to a fresh start, we’ve compiled the Seven Days of Spring Cleaning Guide, making it easier than ever to clean out your home and make a difference by donating used goods.
For each day of the week leading up to the first day of spring (March 20), commit to cleaning out just one part of your house and finding something you can donate. At the end of the week, visit the Donate Movement website to calculate just how much of an impact your donations will have. Use the #7DaysofSpringCleaning hashtag to share your spring cleaning adventures with Goodwill and friends.
Day 1: In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, before you put on that green sweater, go through your closet and remove any clothing you no longer wear. Donate it to Goodwill. Here’s a good rule: if you haven’t worn it in the last 365 days, you probably don’t need it!
Day 2: As you’re cooking dinner, take 15 minutes to go through your kitchen cabinets and find things you don’t use. Goodwill accepts used kitchenware items and household goods.
Day 3: Go through your seasonal holiday décor and donate what you no longer use. That Halloween ghost statue you haven’t displayed since the late 90’s? It’s time to let it go. While you’re going through seasonal items, don’t forget to look through your family’s old Halloween costumes and donate those to Goodwill too.
Day 4: Technology changes fast and many people have tech toys, used computers and computer accessories lying around the house. Goodwill accepts working e-readers, tablets and other electronic items as donations, and our Reconnect partnership with Dell gives you a way to recycle of non-working computers.
Day 5: If you have a home office, see if you have any office supplies that you don’t need. Clear your desk of unneeded backpacks, notebooks or binders—all can be donated to Goodwill.
Day 6: The seven days are almost done! But before you congratulate your decluttering efforts, take a minute to investigate the rest and relaxation or entertainment area in your home. How many DVDs do you own that you’ll probably never watch again? CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, video games—they’re all donate-able.
Day 7: Finally, take one last look at your bookshelf. If your paperbacks have gone the way of the printing press, never fear, you can donate your books to Goodwill too.
See…that wasn’t so bad, was it? When we take the right approach, spring cleaning can actually be fun. But more importantly, know that by donating your used items, you’re helping neighbors set out on a path toward employment. Visit https://www.goodwill.org/locator/ to find the Goodwill donation center nearest you.
So, what did we miss? Shout back in the comments and tell us what you’re donating this spring!
