So now you’re moving! It is time to get organized. The more organized you are before the move, the easier it will be for you when you start unpacking at the new place. First, look around your place and identify the things you no longer need. Maybe it’s a treadmill that has been collecting dust for months, or clothes you haven’t worn in a while.
By reducing the quantity of things we need to load and deliver for you, will result in a move that takes less time and less money to complete.
Consider donating your unwanted items to a local charitable organization. Many of these organizations will be more than happy to take your household and furniture donations. And many of these groups will even pick up items up at your home, saving you a trip to their drop off location(s).
TURN YOUR CLOSET INTO CASH
While packing your clothes, you are sure to find articles you don’t wear anymore. You might even find pieces you didn’t even know you had! Rather than taking it all with you to sort out later, take the opportunity to turn your on-trend, lightly or un-worn articles into something you will use. Clothing exchange stores will sort through your items including clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags, scarfs, belts, and coats and select any items for purchase. You can choose store credit or cash, which often is less than the store credit amount. These kinds of stores typically deal in women’s fashion. Some men’s fashion may be accepted, but kids’ clothing is not.
- Buffalo Exchange is a great place to take your stylish, unique, and vintage items. Stop in from 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday or 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Store buyers will go through your items and decide if they want to purchase any. You can accept cash or store credit. Buffalo Exchange has one Charlotte location in Plaza Midwood, but you can also find them in Arizona, California, Colorado, DC, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. You can even sell by mail.
- Clothes Mentor is a place to take your on-trend items purchased in the last three years. Bring in your collection and store buyers will riffle through and decide which ones the store will purchase. Only women’s fashion is accepted. Clothes Mentor has three Charlotte-area stores with 147 stores located across 29 states with 50 stores coming soon.
- Dress for Success: A worldwide organization that strives to help prepare women for successful careers, Dress for Success focuses exclusively on business attire. There’s not a cash back or exchange program, but you might be able to take a tax write-off for your donation. Fill out an online form and follow the prompts for a quick and easy way to donate your clothes to someone who can use them. In North Carolina, there are locations in Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and the Triangle. To find your local affiliate, click here.
CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD GOODS, TOOLS, ELECTRONICS AND OTHER ITEMS
- BlueSky Solutions offers recycling for electronic items such as computers, printers, televisions, VCRs, gaming systems, cables, batteries, and more. There are drop-off locations and pick-up services available. BlueSky offers secure data destruction and technicians can record, test, sanitize, and remarket equipment through their asset management division.
- Crisis Assistance Ministry is Mecklenburg County’s leading agency providing the working poor with emergency rent and utility assistance, clothing, household goods, and furniture. The organization accepts working condition stoves, refrigerators, microwaves, washers and dryers (electric only), mattresses and box springs*, dressers and chests of drawers, tables and chairs, dinette sets, sofas and loveseats, and chairs. For assistance moving large pieces of essential furniture, contact the Furniture Bank and to arrange a time for your items to be picked up, but note that wait times may be 7-10 days.
- Goodwill is about so much more than thrift stores. Across the country, Goodwill helps people receive job training and provides job opportunities. Donations support the cause. Goodwill accepts a variety of items such as clothing, household goods, office supplies, and more. Find a location near you or shop Goodwill online.
- Habitat for Humanity not only builds houses they also operate ReStores that are dedicated to building materials. Got extra 2x4s, nails, tiles, and power drills? Head to ReStore! ReStore is also a great place to think about when you’re remodeling. Old cabinets, sinks, light fixtures, and more can find second homes.
- Salvation Army centers are located throughout the country and are a vital source for families in need. In North Carolina, there are more than 50 local offices. Things needed for donation include items for the entire family from infants to the elderly. In addition to household goods like towels and cribs and microwaves, clothing, shoes, and other useful things in good condition are welcome.
Need more donation assistance? Call 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162 to be connected to a specialist with a database of local charities that may be looking for the items. Specialists are available 24/7 and speak multiple languages. Visit www.nc211.org for more information.
THROW AWAY USELESS BULKY ITEMS
There are items worth taking with you, items worth giving away, and then there are items that have reached the end of their usefulness. Go ahead and get rid of large items by scheduling pick-up services through the city. Items placed at the curb without scheduling WILL NOT be collected.
- In the Charlotte area, call 311 or fill out The Bulky Waste Collection Request form to schedule a pickup time. Place your item(s) curbside no later than 6 a.m. the morning of pickup. Note that items left at the curb more than 24 hours before the scheduled collection could result in a fine of at least $50. All items must be free of food, clothing, trash and flammable materials such as gasoline. Remove doors from refrigerators and rims from tires.
County specific bulk item collection:
