Following the passing of a loved one such as a parent, grandparent, relative or close family friend what do I do with all of their unwanted household items?
Many people do not realize how to handle all of the various categories of things found in the common household and are overwhelmed with even beginning the process. Here are some examples of how many of the usual items often found in each room. Shredding is not mentioned below except for the office but confidential documents may be found throughout the household and should be reviewed closely and if unneeded destroyed properly.
Kitchen
Keep: Cooking realted items you truly need or could use to upgrade what you have in your own kitchen.
Donate: Functional items in good condition or better - pots and pans, flatware, glassware, etc. - canned goods and other food may be donated to the local food pantry
Discard: Anything chipped, cracked, broken or worn beyond use including china, glass, dishes, old food in the refrigerator and canned goods and packaged food with expired dates
Recycle: Dirty, discolored, rusty cooking pots/pans, worn utensils, out-of-date and non-functioning small appliances
Sell: Vintage cookware, Le Creuset pots and pans, Fiestaware, Stangl plates and bowls, etc.
Bedrooms
Keep: Put family photos, heirloom jewelry and important personal paperwork in a safe place to take home to review closer and distribute to the appropriate family members
Donate: Clothing, shoes, accessories, linens, books to local libraries and retirement communities, paperbacks to our soldiers, hotel toiletries to homeless shelters
Discard: Undergarments, old toiletries, old medicine, used/old makeup, no value items from the "junk drawer"
Recycle: Eyeglasses, old electronics, wire coat hangers to your local dry cleaner, towels and blankets to your favorite animal shelter
Sell: Vintage jewelry, zippo cigarette lighters, coin collections, designer clothing to consignment shops
Living Room/Family Room/Den
Keep: Heirloom quality china, silver sets and artwork if desired
Donate: Lower value furniture, incomplete china sets, extra glassware, CD's and DVD's
Discard: Used candles, coasters, incomplete board games and puzzles
Recycle: Non confidential paperwork, magazines, newspapers, old greeting cards, soiled tablecloths and placemats
Sell: Crystal bowls, Hummel figurines, Lladro figurines and related collectibles
Office
Keep: Recent tax returns, home improvement records, current files
Donate: Old phones to our soldiers, outdated but working electronics to schools or charities
Discard: Office supplies that are no longer functional - Pens that don't work, dried up erasers, etc.
Recycle: Obsolete fax machines, printers, power cords, old trade publications, ink cartridges
Sell: Furniture and higher-end electronics when updating/upgrading
Shred: Credit card statements, tax returns over 7 yrs old, bank statements, old confidential business/related records
Attic
Keep: Family memorabilia, personal items and other heirlooms
Donate: Clothing, picture frames, low-value knick knacks, books in better condition to your local library
Discard: Worn out suitcases, baby cribs and car seats, anything low value damaged by the heat and cold from sitting for years that can't be recycled
Recycle: Rusty bed frame rails, corroded metal fans, non-confidential paperwork
Sell: Antiques, old dolls, vintage toys and trains, sports, movie and political memorabilia
Basement
Keep: Better quality hand and power tools and related machines and equipment if truly needed
Donate: Children's toys, exercise equipment, games in good condition or better
Discard: Damp, musty, moldy books and record albums, broken modern toys
Recycle: Outdated electronics, rusty tools, old wiring, non-functioning dehumidifiers
Sell: Duplicate or unneeded tools, musical instruments that are no longer used, vintage stereos
Garage/Shed
Keep: Better quality hand and power tools, shelving and storage bins if needed
Donate: Vases to your local florist, extra garden tools to your neighbors
Discard: Sports equipment in poor condition, toys missing parts or broken
Recycle: Junk metals, hazardous waste, paint, old bicycles
Sell: Lawn mowers and snow blowers on Craigslist, sort and sell boxes of unwanted things from parents, grandparents and relatives sitting for years
Affiliate Member Court Ebeling of Carter's Home Downsizing works with clients to help them determine what to keep, donate, discard, recycle and sell and then puts a real plan in place to make it happen. Go to http://www.cartershd.com/ for more info.
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