Spring Cleaning Donations: Make the Most of Your Decluttering Efforts

Spring has sprung! We all know what that means - it’s spring cleaning time! This year, make the most of your spring cleaning by donating your unwanted goods to Goodwill. With spring cleaning donations, not only will you be helping families and individuals in Alberta purchase quality products and clothing for less, but you’ll also be supporting those in your community with disabilities.

To help you declutter, and to determine what items you can bring into your local Goodwill Alberta, we’ve put together this spring cleaning donations guide. Our spring cleaning tips will help you get started. Then, we’ll break it down, room by room to help you determine what you can donate and what you can’t.

Have an item you want to donate but don’t see it on this list? Consult our complete Donation Guide for more details.

Ready to start decluttering? Let’s go!

Spring Cleaning Tips

Spring cleaning can be very rewarding but also overwhelming at the same time. To help you get started on the right track, here are some spring cleaning tips to keep in mind:

1. Declutter room by room, section by section - focusing on a single area at once will prevent you from becoming too overwhelmed.
2. Start with the room that needs the most work - get the biggest job out of the way first. You’ll have more drive and energy when you’re first starting so you’ll be able to get the job done more quickly.
3. Organize items as you go - as you declutter, separate your items into different categories - a keep, donate, and garbage pile. As soon as you have a car full of spring cleaning donations, take them to your local thrift store. Getting rid of things as soon as possible will help you feel accomplished and motivate you to continue your spring cleaning purge.
4. Set a schedule for yourself -  Netflix can be tempting but a schedule will help keep you focused and on-track.
5. Don’t forget to take breaks - when you get into it, spring cleaning can consume you. It feels great to declutter your life! But don’t forget to take breaks, drink lots of water and eat. After all, you’re putting in physical work!

Rooms to Declutter for Spring Cleaning Donations

Now that you’re all set to go with these spring cleaning tips, let’s talk rooms for decluttering.

There are a few main areas of any house that seem to collect clutter. Consider sorting through the items in these areas of your home during your spring cleaning this year. Best of all, many items from these rooms can be donated. Spring cleaning donations help to save waste from going to the landfill while also decluttering and refreshing your home.

Here are a few suggested areas where spring cleaning will help to make a big difference.

Closet

One of the best places to start your spring cleaning is the closet. Lots of knick-knacks and extra items end up in closets. Out of sight out of mind is typically the reason for this - until it’s time for spring cleaning, that is!

When cleaning out your closet, keep these items in mind. They can be donated to Goodwill and a good cause.

• Clothing that is new or gently used (clothing should be laundered and clean)
• Footwear (also gently used)
• Purses
• Hats
• Toys
• Games
• Towels

Office

Another great place to declutter is your home office. With a clean and clutter-free space, you’ll be able to work more efficiently! Plus, many items from your office spring cleaning can be donated to Goodwill. Keep an eye out for these items to donate:

• Books
• Office furniture
• Decor items
• Lamps

Unfortunately, there are some office items we can’t take. This includes:

• Desks with metal bases and parts
• Computer monitors
• Printers
• Laptops

Bedroom

Who doesn’t love a clean bedroom? Start with your nightstand and dresser drawers and move out from there. Decluttering your room will help to relieve stress and free up some extra space!

Goodwill can accept the following bedroom spring cleaning donations:

• Linen
• Jewellery and accessories
• Dressers
• Other bedroom furniture

Please ensure that any linen you are bringing in is clean, laundered and only gently used.

Although we would like to accept all donations, there are some things we can’t take. When decluttering your bedroom and sorting through items to donate, please note that Goodwill Alberta isn’t able to accept the following:

• Bed frames with springs (metal)
• Bunk beds
• Mattresses
• Lava lamps

Storage Room

Storage rooms are built for clutter! But, when spring cleaning time comes around, it’s always nice to get rid of what you don’t need anymore.

Make the most of your storage room purge by donating these items to Goodwill:

• Holiday items (Christmas trees must be in their box or bag)
• Bags
• Housewares
• Artwork
• Collectibles

Unfortunately, we can’t take:

• Personal stereo systems (including portable disc players, MP3 players, iPods, etc.) - these require testing that we can’t perform.
• Safety-related items for young children

Garage

Ready to tackle the garage? Garages can become overrun with old equipment, household goods and other items you’re no longer using. Many of these make perfect spring cleaning donations!

Consider donating these items from your garage to your local Goodwill:

• Sporting equipment
• Air mattresses - must be new and in their original box or bag
• Tents - must be in their box or bag

There are also things from your garage that we won’t be able to take. This includes:

• Helmets
• Hockey face protectors
• Bicycles
• Ski and snowboard equipment with bindings
• Barbeques
• Water coolers
• Lawn Darts
• Gas-powered lawn mowers
• Trimmers
• Snowblowers
• Large appliances, including fridges
• Fluorescent and ceiling lights
• Building supplies and construction materials
• Aerosols
• Cleaners and chemicals
• Paint
• Car parts
• Motors

Ready, Set, Declutter!

Ready to start your Spring cleaning?

Once you’re ready to donate, find the nearest Goodwill Alberta donation location and drop by with your items.

You can feel good knowing that your old and unwanted items will be given a second life, while also helping those in the community with disabilities secure employment. Furthermore, your unwanted goods will be kept out of the landfill and your house will be given a fresh, clean look for spring.

Who doesn’t love a good spring cleaning purge!