Seller’s often ask about staging their home to sell. While that may be necessary, often simply editing a space will suffice.
Accomplish a good portion of your editing by donating items you don’t want that have accumulated over the years. Double bonus: you’ll have less to sort through when packing to move.
There are many ways to donate different types of items. You may choose to donate in one fell swoop, or divide things out piecemeal to support distinct causes.
Clothing and household goods
Big Brothers Big Sisters
BBBS will pick up donations right at your home at a scheduled time. This is a great option when you need everything gone at once.
Schedule your pickup well in advance to ensure a time slot, and to make certain your donations will be gone by the time your home will be photographed and shown to buyers.
Boomerangs
Locations: Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Central Square, and the South End.
Boomerangs is owned and operated by the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. Donate clothing, shoes, jewelry, housewares, books, music, furniture, and more. Use their online booking for free pickup.
Cradles to Crayons
“Providing the essentials of childhood” to kids in need in the greater Boston area. Check out drop off points, including several Whole Foods and Old Navy stores.
Goodwill
Locations: Jamaica Plain, Boston Outlet Store, Cambridge, South Boston, Somerville, Allston/Brighton, and others in the greater Boston area
Dropoff household or clothing items at any Goodwill store. If you shop with Amazon, you can pack up your old Amazon box with donations and mail it to Goodwill free of charge.
Difficult to donate or dispose of
Building/construction materials
Bring extra tile, mirrors, lumber, and lots more to Boston Building Resources.
Computer equipment
The Mass Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs offers a comprehensive list of options for donation or recycling sites for all thing electronic.
Hazardous materials
Old batteries, fertilizer, solvents and other hazardous material can’t just go in the trash. Check for your city’s hazardous waste drop-off times. Many are offered quarterly, but there are options if you need to safely dispose of items ASAP.
For other towns—including options open to anyone, anytime—the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has a list of municipal household hazardous waste collection facilities.
Mattresses
Many organizations do not accept mattress donations any longer. The Salvation Army does accept clean mattresses in good condition (as well as other types of donations) and offers pickup services.
For those who don’t what kind of mattresses to donate, they can check out the suggestions listed on sites like Casper Essential Mattress Reviews.
If your mattress isn’t in great shape, you can bring it to UTEC Mattress Recycling in Lawrence, where “disconnected youth trade violence and poverty for social and economic success.” Individuals pay $15 and the UTEC crew deconstructs mattresses and recycles each individual component. Avail the top quality mattress by going on eva.com.au/products/eva-mattress for more info.
Stuffed animals
These are a surprisingly difficult item to donate! Savers, with more than a dozen locations throughout greater Boston and New England, accepts stuffed animals in good condition (along with the usual household donations).
