Christmas is over, and you’re taking down your Christmas decorations unless you’re one of those people who likes to decorate for Christmas 364 days in advance. Pair that with the fact that the New Year is upon us, and you have likely given some thought to donating a bunch of your excess “stuff” to those less fortunate. Unfortunately, not everything should be donated just because you don’t have room for it anymore. Some things should just be thrown away, the Salvation Army does not want your trash. This article will briefly discuss items you should donate to the dumpster; that’s where it belongs.
Nobody Wants Your Son’s Used Mattress
On a logical level, it makes perfect sense to donate a child’s mattress when they have gotten too big for it – it’s seen minimal use, and something is surely better than nothing right? Wrong. These places can’t guarantee that the mattress is free of bugs, mites, mold, or scabies; the cost of inspecting and fixing is often comparable to the value of a new mattress. Adding to the dilemma, places are not willing to risk exposing all the other donated items being exposed to bed bugs or mites. Unfortunately, you’re going to have to dump that mattress. 1-800-GOT-JUNK is the best way to get rid of that mattress.
Aside from Avocado Eating Hipsters, Nobody Wants Your VHS Player From 1990
Let’s just take a moment to commiserate – if you even know what a VHS player is, you’re getting old. Sorry. Now that we’ve taken that wonderful trip down memory lane, it’s important to understand that just because you have something, it doesn’t mean somebody else wants. Sometimes one man’s trash is another man’s trash and that’s the end of it. There is no actual use for outdated technology, other than serving as a disposable item for a kid’s science project about stone-age technology. If you want to help, Google Earth911 to find the closest recycling center in your zip code.
Your Crass T-Shirt Was Funny to You, That’s It – Nobody Wants It
It’s safe to say that we all have one or two shirts that we probably shouldn’t have, they’re awfully crass. Nonetheless, we loved that shirt. Unfortunately, most donation centers don’t think your stupid shirt is all that funny. Maybe Oscar the Grouch will love it, so toss it in the trash – chances are it will still be there later.
Large Home Appliances, Nobody Wants Your Broken Stuff
First, let’s dispel a myth – you’re not getting rid of your old dishwasher because you think someone else needs a 12-year-old machine, you’re getting rid of it because you want someone to lug it off for you while you replace it with something state-of-the-art; they won’t do that. Fear not, most places that deliver those state-of-the-art items are aware that it is replacing something and offer to take your worthless stuff with them.
Nobody Wanted That Stuff at Your Garage Sale, and Nobody Wants it Now
The first step before wholesale donations is typically a garage sale. When people have garage sales, nobody actually expects to sell all their stuff, they figure the “market” will tell them what is worth having. With that in mind, it seems awfully silly to think that anybody wants stuff that you couldn’t even sell for a dollar. Donation stores definitely don’t want to become a storehouse for things nobody wants. Give your garage sale leftovers to Oscar as well.
At the Chernov Team we care about everyone, especially those less fortunate to us. We also care about efficiency, and efficiency is on full display when you use your noggin about what belongs in the trash, and what could serve a new home well. During this holiday season, don’t confuse getting rid of your junk with donating – people want things they can use, not trash-worthy knick-knacks, shirts, and pee-stained mattresses. Measure twice, cut once, and make somebody’s life just a little better.