Use These Organizations to Pick up the Furniture You Want to Get Rid Of
It’s no coincidence that Marie Kondo’s The Cleanup premiered on Netflix on January 1st. It was 2019, and while it feels like a different era, some people still start the new year with a desire to clear their home of clutter and junk.
Once you’ve decided what to get rid of, the question is how to get it out of the house. Lifehacker wrote about this back in 2019 , but not all of the strategies mentioned are suitable for dealing with a pandemic. Here, we’re going to highlight one of the easiest ways to get things out of your home and into the hands of people who might use, appreciate, and/or benefit from it: organizing an organization to pick up items from your home. . Here are some of them to consider.
What to do before you schedule a pickup
Before negotiating with an organization that offers pickup of furniture, household items and/or clothing, be sure to read their website carefully to find out what they accept and do not accept. Most stipulate that the items must be in fair condition; in other words, don’t put things in the box to “donate” that the group won’t take, just so you don’t feel guilty about throwing them away.
Also, keep in mind that non-profits often have volunteers, and while yes, you provide them with what they need, they also provide you with a service (usually) for free, pulling things you no longer need. You always have the option of paying someone to move, haul and collect items for you, where you will likely receive some level of customer service.
Organizations that will collect donations of household items and furniture
Although most of the non-profit organizations and services listed here operate throughout the country, not every place offers donation so you need to start by looking for one that does. Here are some suggestions:
- PickUpMyDonation : A service that offers both free and “priority” (i.e. paid) pickup of large household items (which require a truck to transport) for donation to non-profit organizations.
- Furniture Bank Network : A service that offers free, low-cost shipping of donated furniture from your home for delivery to local furniture banks. It currently operates in 34 states.
- Human Habitat : Many local ReStore organizations offer free pickup of furniture and/or other household items. Rules – such as what items can be donated and whether free pickup is offered – vary by location, so check with those in your area.
- The Arc : An organization since 1950 providing services and support to people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, thanks in part to profits from their thrift stores around the country. Find your local branch, then contact them to find out how to donate and if free pickup is available in your area.
- Big Brother Big Sister Foundation : Check the organization’s website to see if free fundraising is offered in your area. While they accept a wide range of household items , they do not donate furniture.
- Vietnam Veterans of America : Pickup Please operates in parts of the country and offers free pickup of items that are small and light enough to be easily picked up and carried by one person (i.e. no furniture or appliances). Up to 25 donation bags or boxes are allowed per pickup.
And yes, there are no two big second-hand players here, but you know where and how to find them.