A Guide to Re-homing the "Good Stuff"

Keep reading for full instructions and a video walkthrough.

1. What is "re-homing?

"Re-homing is what I call finding the "right" person or organization to take an item you no longer need.

Re-homing is different from donating (although you may also be donating) because you're not just giving with the assumption that the receiver wants your item; instead, you're taking extra care to make sure that your items are wanted by the recipient.

It's a little like re-homing a beloved pet; if you could no longer care for the pet, you wouldn't just drop it off at a random stranger's house; you would make sure that the person who takes the pet is willing and able to care for it.

That's re-homing. 

If you'd like help re-homing things instead of throwing them in the trash, AND you want help on your journey to less stuff and more life, join us inside the Decluttering Club Membership!

2. Decide WHAT you want to re-home.

Practice with one or two things until you decide your own rules for this process. Take a walk around your home and find something to re-home that's in good or great condition. 

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I willing to take extra time and care to re-home this item?

• Am I willing to let this go without any monetary payment in return?  

• Will this be easy enough to transport?

• Am I emotionally ready to let this go?

• Is it likely that I can find someone who wants this item? Sometimes, you may find it easier to let go emotionally when you re-home something of extra sentimental value.

Some things I've re-homed:

• a piano (this was a beast to move but people came and collected it the same day I posted it!)
• children's bicycles
• clothing
• old furniture  
• pool equipment
• kitchen items
• books
• office supplies
• handmade baby blankets

3. Where or who will I offer my item to? 

Since you're setting the "price" at $0, make this as convenient as possible for you. You set the terms. 

Here are some ideas to get you started: 

- daycare center, school, nursing home or adult daycare (books, craft supplies, toys)

- animal shelter (cleaning supplies, linens, pet food and supplies, office supplies)

- drama club or band (musical instruments, costumes)

- doctor's office, Little Free Library (magazines, books)

- *Facebook Marketplace or "Buy Nothing" group (practically everything you can imagine)

- *friends and neighbors

* These last 2 options are my preference for re-homing. Search Facebook for a local "Buy Nothing" or Freecycle group. People in these groups frequently exchange all kinds of things for free.

If you’re re-homing to a business or a community organization, call ahead and see if they can use your item. You may be pleasantly surprised at what they will gladly take. 

4. My structured system to re-homing an item

Here's how I typically run this process. I typically list items on Friday-Sunday because I figure people will have more time to come and collect on the weekend. I decide what to re-home and snap a few photos. I then create a listing on Facebook Marketplace. I’ll also share the listing to local community Facebook groups.

If I'm offering my item to friends and family, I will post about it on Facebook and follow about the same process.

5. Set the rules of engagement. 

Remember, you're giving this away for free - this means you get to set the rules of engagement. Decide on these in advance:

• Will you deliver?
• Will you hold something and for how long?
• Will you help carry your item to their car?
• Do you want to meet in a public place?
• Do you want to have someone else home with you when the pickup occurs (for safety reasons)?
• Will you pick the first person who responds or the one who seems the most deserving?
• Set an "expiration date." How long will you try to re-home the item before you move to another option like donation or trash?
• If you're giving away a batch or set of items, does the person need to take all of them or can they pick and choose? I  gave away a trampoline - the people who took it only wanted the frame but they were willing to take the rest and dispose of it when I asked. It was convenient for me and they got the part they wanted. 

6. Manage your expectations!

This is key! I ALWAYS expect that people won’t follow through. They won't come when they say; they will want you to answer a bunch of questions. They will ask you to hold items when you said you wouldn't. Expect all of this to happen. And stick to the rules you've decided on. If you expect obstacles, you won't be frustrated when they happen and you'll be pleasantly surprised if the exchange goes smoothly.

Re-homing takes extra effort! And that's ok. 

Reserve this process for the things you really care about. 

7. Enjoy the freed up space and the feeling of passing things on!

That’s why we declutter; to make room for the things that matter most. 

You'll feel good knowing your item is being passed on and used for a while longer. 

If you’re in one of our programs, use our Facebook groups for ideas and inspiration on what to re-home and where to take it. 

Less stuff; more life. 

If you'd like help re-homing things instead of throwing them in the trash, AND you want help on your journey to less stuff and more life, join us inside the Decluttering Club Membership!