Before you haul another box of old dishes or heirloom furniture to the donation center, hold on a minute. Professional organizers say some of what is sitting in your house could bring in real cash.
A piece in Southern Living, shared through Yahoo Lifestyle, collected advice on four kinds of household items worth trying to resell first. One of the experts also named baby gear that should never be resold.
“Manufacturers Often No Longer Carry Old China Patterns” So Buyers Are Hunting For Yours
Danica Carson, founder of The Uncluttered Life in Dallas, Texas, recommends selling china you are not using, though maybe not for the reason you would guess. “Manufacturers often no longer carry old china patterns, so many people turn to things like eBay to complete their set,” she explains.
China will not necessarily fetch a pretty penny. It does carry sentimental value for many people, and Carson says “reselling your china to someone who needs and wants the pieces can be a win-win for everyone involved.”
So the set that has been sitting in the hutch since the last big holiday dinner may be exactly what a stranger needs to replace a broken plate.
Inherited Solid Wood Furniture May Be Collectible, And A Maker’s Mark Is The Clue
Carson says well-made, solid wood furniture is another good candidate for selling. She says clients often inherit these pieces from loved ones and are unsure what to do with them, yet “some brands of this furniture are collectible.”
Her tip is simple. Look for a maker’s mark on your piece and put it in your listing description, because it will attract buyers looking for brand-name furniture.
Flip the dresser over, check inside the drawers and peek at the back. A few minutes with a flashlight could change how you price it.
Vintage Designer Items Are Having A Moment, So Research Before You Donate
Vintage clothing and accessories are in demand right now, according to Carson. She suggests selling pieces older than 50 years, particularly designer brand names.
Amy Hoffmann, founder of Fleur de Lis Organized Solutions in Louisville, Kentucky, agrees. “Authentic, high-end handbags are worth researching their value before donating, and belts, silk scarves, capes, and wraps in excellent condition are perfect candidates,” she states.
If you would rather not manage the sales process on your own, these items can also be consigned, in person and online. That way someone else handles the photos, the questions and the shipping.
Baby Gear Can Be Resold, But Carson Says These Items Are “Not Approved For Reuse”
If you spent big on top-of-the-line baby items that your child has outgrown, Carson says it is worth selling some of them. “Clothes in good condition, bouncers, swings, and the like, can all have very long lifespans,” she says, “much longer than a child is able to use them for.”
Reselling them, she adds, “is not only economical but also reduces waste.”
Then comes the warning. Carson stresses that many baby items are not approved for reuse. “These include car seats, breast pumps, used bottles or anything that comes into contact with the mouth, mattresses, and helmets,” she explains.
Her advice for buyers and sellers alike is to always check for recalls before selling or buying baby items. If you are cleaning out a nursery for a new grandbaby or passing things to a neighbor, that list is worth taping to the fridge.
“There’s Value In Simply Letting Things Go”
Selling can be a nice way to earn extra money from home while keeping items in use. The article also reminds readers to weigh the time and effort of listing against their schedule and storage space.
Kelli Lee Dillard, founder of Slayte Home Organizing in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, puts it this way. “The ultimate goal of decluttering is to get things out of your home, not to create another project or an endless pile of items waiting to be sold,” she notes.
“I always remind clients that there’s value in simply letting things go,” Dillard adds. “The time, energy, and mental space you gain by immediately removing unwanted items from your home can be worth far more than the small amount of money you might make selling them.”
Your Resale Game Plan
Put the expert advice together and you get a simple plan for deciding what to sell and what to send out the door today.
- China: check whether it is a pattern that people are trying to complete, and list the pieces for someone who needs them.
- Solid wood furniture: look for a maker’s mark and mention it in the listing.
- Vintage and designer pieces older than 50 years: research the value of handbags, belts, silk scarves, capes and wraps before donating, and consider consigning.
- Baby gear: sell good-condition clothes, bouncers and swings, but never resell car seats, breast pumps, used bottles, mouth-contact items, mattresses or helmets.
- Everything else: set a deadline, and if a pile has not sold by then, let it go.
The balance the organizers describe is a good one. Take a little time to find out what your things are worth, and give yourself permission to donate the rest without guilt. A clear closet is its own reward.
Start small this weekend. Pick one shelf or one piece of furniture, look for a mark or a label, and see whether it earns a spot on your selling list.
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