Here’s What To Do With Potentially Valuable Items You Want To Get Rid Of

Decluttering is already stressful, and deciding what to do with potentially valuable items can make it even more so! We’ve all heard stories about thrift store finds that sell for a small fortune, so it’s natural to wonder whether that painting, vase, or antique in your closet could be valuable.

But constantly asking yourself, “What if this is worth something?” is bound to stall your decluttering efforts. Rather than allowing yourself to get stuck, use one of my favorite clutter solutions: the decluttering outbox.

If you come across potentially valuable items while decluttering, don’t get sidetracked — just place them in the box and come back to it later. When you’re ready to deal with those items, this guide will help!

Getting Rid Of Potentially Valuable Items: A Practical Guide

When you’re decluttering, you have four basic options when you’re deciding what to do with any particular item:

1. Keep it
2. Sell it
3. Donate it
4. Toss it

We’ll look at each option and consider their pros and cons.

1. Keep It

If you’re not sure whether to keep something or get rid of it, you almost certainly don’t need it. If the item has value or use to you, you may want to keep it; if not, choose one of the other options below.

2. Sell It

It can be great to make some money from stuff you’re getting rid of, but selling requires time and effort.

If you choose to sell something, give yourself a reasonable timeframe — like two weeks — to do it. If you haven’t found a buyer by then, donate or discard the item to avoid further contributing to or enabling clutter.

How To Determine An Item’s Value

To find out if something you have is valuable (and, if so, what it’s worth), these tips can help:

• Use eBay’s advanced search options to search for similar, recently sold items for an idea of the current market value.
• For clothing and accessories, look at current prices for similar items on apps like Poshmark and ThredUp.
• For collectibles and antiques, do some research first to figure out useful details like who manufactured it and when. With these details, you can search for similar items on eBay, LiveAuctioneers, or Heritage Auctions and see how much they’re going for.
• You can also consult local antique dealers or auction houses. They may charge an appraisal fee (but it could be worth it if you think the item could have significant value!)

Where To Sell Things Online

• Facebook Marketplace – This is a great option for selling things locally. You can even list items for free — you might be surprised by what people will happily take off your hands!
• Poshmark – This app is a good place to sell high-quality clothing, accessories, and shoes. Just snap a picture, list your item, and ship it when it sells. (Pricing, listing, and shipping all take time and effort, so make sure your items are valuable enough to justify those costs!)
• eBay – A great option for collectibles, electronics, and unique items. Same situation as Poshmark — try to make sure the effort will be worth it beforehand! Shipping can be more expensive than you’d expect, so be sure to look it up before posting your listing.
• OfferUp – This is another local selling option that’s similar to Facebook Marketplace. Read their blog post on selling safely in situations where you’ll meet the buyer in person.
• ThredUp – This online secondhand store may purchase your unwanted clothes directly if they’re in good shape. Just click on the “Sell” tab to start the process, and they’ll send you a bag to fill and return for cash or credit.

3. Donate It

If you’ve determined your item isn’t particularly valuable, consider donating it. Many charities and thrift stores accept donated clothing, furniture, household goods, and more. (Some will even come to you to pick up items you want to donate!)

No two organizations are the same in terms of what they accept, so look up places online or call them to make sure they’ll accept your items.

Local Facebook groups can be a great source of information on clubs or organizations seeking specific items. If you have a big collection of fishing gear or other hobby items, look around for related clubs in your area. They might be happy to take your used gear!

If you’re making a tax-deductible donation, refer to IRS Publication 561 for guidelines determining the fair market value of your goods. You’ll want to ensure your valuation is accurate before deducting charitable contributions on your tax return.

4. Toss It

We all want to avoid sending things to the landfill, but not everything will be worth keeping, selling, or donating. Items that are broken, stained, torn, or incomplete should be recycled or disposed of responsibly.

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The Takeaway

If your primary goal is to declutter your home, don’t get sidetracked trying to squeeze every possible dollar out of your unwanted items. If you can prioritize, set deadlines, and make quick decisions about your stuff, the sooner you can free yourself from the burden of clutter.

What’s your preferred way of dealing with unwanted stuff?