Fresh Start: 5 Areas to Declutter and Donate to Goodwill This Season

Is your home feeling a bit overcrowded? You're not alone! If you need to tackle some much-needed decluttering around the house, here are some areas to focus on. The best part? Every donation made to Goodwill of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio helps fund its incredible programs. In fact, donations are the lifeblood of Goodwill, and because of generous donors like you, nearly 28,000 people in local communities were helped by Goodwill's programs in 2025. Let's make an impact together while creating more breathing room at home!

1. Overstuffed Closets

Let's be honest—we all have clothes hanging in our closets with the tags still on or items we haven't worn in years. When going through your wardrobe season by season and ask yourself the tough questions: Does it fit? Have I worn it in the last year? Does it still match my style? If the answer is no, it's time to let it go! Gently used clothing is always in high demand at Goodwill, and your donations can help someone build a professional wardrobe or find that perfect outfit for a special occasion.

2. Holiday Decorations

After the holidays, do you discover bins full of decorations you didn't even use? Between the duplicate ornaments, outdated styles, and that artificial garland that hasn’t used since who knows when, it's time to streamline your holiday collection. Goodwill accepts seasonal decorations year-round, so don't wait until next December to clear out those items taking up valuable storage space. Plus, someone will be thrilled to find your gently used holiday decor at an affordable price!

3. Home Decor

Taste in home décor typically evolves over the years, and yours probably has too. Those trendy throw pillows from five years ago, the wall art that no longer matches my style, and the decorative pieces collecting dust on shelves—they all deserve a new home. Goodwill shoppers love finding unique decor items at great prices, and donating these pieces helps create space for items that truly reflect your current style while supporting job training and employment programs in our community.

4. Electronics & Tech Clutter

Here's something you might not know: Goodwill accepts all electronics, working or not! That old laptop sitting in your desk drawer, the phone you upgraded from years ago, or even that drawer full of mystery cables and chargers you don't know what they go to anymore—Goodwill takes those! Computers are refurbished, if possible, and sold at an affordable

price to help bridge the digital divide in our community. Non-working electronics are given to our partner, Dell Reconnect, whose mission is to have 0% waste. It's an easy way to responsibly dispose of tech items while supporting a great cause.

5. Books!

Don't forget about that overflowing bookshelf! Whether it's novels you've already read or children's books your kids have outgrown, Goodwill gladly accepts book donations. Your former favorites can inspire new readers while supporting a great cause.

Ready to start your decluttering journey? The best part is how convenient it is to donate! Goodwill of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio has 36 locations throughout the area, making it easy to drop off your items whenever you live.

Remember, your donations to Goodwill do more than just clear out your closets—they change lives in our community. Every item you donate helps fund Goodwill’s 30 programs like job training, parent strengthening, adult literacy, and rape crisis for thousands of people right here at home. So, grab some bags, start sorting, and feel good knowing your decluttering efforts are making a meaningful impact!