Have you been thinking about donating your old furniture? While it’s all about getting rid of furniture pieces you don’t need anymore, it is also a good way to help those who might find a use for them. Whether you decide to have them delivered or ask Jiffy Junk to pick up old furniture, you are doing a fantastic job at helping those in need with the furniture removal.
Donating old furniture may be a pretty direct process, but there are still a few things that you should be careful not to do. These pitfalls are things you should avoid doing to make the experience of donating comforting for both you and the people receiving what you give.
After all, the goal of donating old furniture goes beyond furniture removal. It is all about finding a good use for old home clutter to make someone else’s home a bit more comforting.
How should you donate old furniture then? Here are a few things you need to avoid doing altogether:
Don’t Donate Broken Furniture
While this may seem like a pretty obvious reason, you’d be surprised at how it remains quite uncommon to a lot of people. If you have furniture that’s not only dirty, but is also old, excessively used, and is unsafe to use, the best thing to do is to throw it away. Do not attempt to donate them at all.
The first reason for this is simple: people do not want to accept old broken furniture. Damaged furniture won’t do anyone any good. Second, it is upsetting for anyone to receive damaged furniture because they won’t be able to use it. Also, the repair of damaged furniture might cost them more than they could afford.
Instead of focusing on furniture removal, you can have someone repair the old furniture and put it back to good use before donating. Hiring an upholstery cleaner to remove stains or unwanted spots should also be a good idea.
While both may seem very easy to do, they create a massive difference in the donation experience. It will ease up donations and it will allow you to feel more comfortable about giving it away.
Don’t Forget to Keep a Record of All Your Donations
You must see donations as more than just furniture removal. While your goal is to help those in need, donating your old furniture can also benefit you by giving you a break in your income taxes. Any donations you make to charity can give access to a possible tax break.
However, you will need to keep a record of all the donations that you make. Keep in mind that a receipt of all the donations, especially those of household goods must be collected and kept for recording. If your donation costs less than $250, you just need to get a receipt from the charity of choice as well as the itemized list of what you donated.
If you donated more than $250 worth of items, then you will need to submit an itemized list with their corresponding fair market value. All these documents will be kept for record purposes. Not only will the donations help others save on furniture costs, but they can also help you save a few dollars on your taxes.
Do Not Forget to Look Into Your Options
Making a donation of your used furniture can be a fruitful experience for you. The focus is not just furniture removal. Rather, it is about knowing what your options are and understanding the best form of donation you can make in your situation.
Be aware of your donation options, especially for those charities that are within your community. Some of them even offer options to pick up the furniture and that will totally help you save on costs.
Junk removal companies are also viable options considering they could come by your place and collect your junk for you. While it may seem important to simply get rid of old furniture, it is best to also consider the charities you are sharing your old items with too.
Don’t Make That Mistake When You Move
Furniture removal can mean some heavy lifting. Ask for help if you need to. But if you think help won’t be available, it might be best to hire professionals to make the furniture donation on your behalf. Making an attempt to do it all on your own might not be the best choice, considering the possible accidents that you might encounter with all the heavy lifting.
If you are not looking at hiring people, make sure that you have the right equipment for the move. Dollies, straps, and other helpful devices can assist you in the move you are making. Not only do they make it convenient, but they also ensure that your back and neck are protected in the process.
Do Not Forget About What You Are Donating
Most people who make a donation out of their need for furniture removal make this grave mistake. When they make a list of items they want to get rid of, their mind is set on getting rid of the furniture and other items they no longer need. However, the list you create for donation should be more than that.
In fact, you can also donate other things you might not need anymore including old clothes, electronics like television, and a lot more. Because your donation could be any number of things, make sure to keep track of all of them. Look into several possible options before you make the final decision.
Parting Words On Furniture Removal and Donations
Remember, the goal of donating should be beyond the comfort that comes with the furniture removal. It has to bring about a significant change in your life and in the lives of those who will receive it. Give away the things that you no longer need, so that they may serve their purpose in another person’s life.
There’s no doubt that donating old furniture is about getting rid of things that no longer serve your purpose. However, you still need to keep in mind that the very act of donating these pieces can go a long way, especially when you do it right.
