Where to Sell Items You’ve Decluttered: A Sustainable Guide to Decluttering

May 28

Written By Rebecca Plachte-Zuieback

you don’t have to donate all the items you’re ready to part with. there are a lot of ways to make a little extra cash with your used items. Selling your preloved items not only clears up space but also contributes to a circular economy, giving items a second life instead of sending them to the landfill.

Here’s a guide to help you find the perfect place to sell your decluttered treasures.

1. Online Marketplaces

The internet has revolutionized the way we buy and sell, and there’s no shortage of platforms to choose from. Here are a few of the most popular:

eBay: Great for collectibles, antiques, and items that might appeal to niche buyers. It’s auction-style selling makes it a good fit for rarities.
Facebook Marketplace: Perfect for selling items locally without shipping costs. You can find buyers for everything from furniture to children’s toys.
Poshmark: A platform focused on clothing and accessories. If you have gently used or brand-name clothing, this is a great place to sell.
Depop: apparently Geared toward younger, trendier buyers, Depop is a fantastic platform for vintage and upcycled fashion.- this is my favorite app for purchasing new used clothing…does that mean i’m young and trendy
OfferUp: A simple app for selling just about anything locally. It’s easy to use and works well for furniture, appliances, and everyday items.

2. Clothing Swaps

Selling isn’t the only way to declutter—why not trade? Clothing swaps are a fun and sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe while clearing out items you no longer wear. Here’s how:

Host Your Own Swap: Invite friends, family, or your local community to bring gently used clothing and accessories or books they’d like to trade. Everyone leaves with something new-to-them!
Join Local Swaps: Many cities host organized clothing swap events where you can bring your items and trade with others.
Online Swapping Communities: Platforms like Swap.com or Facebook groups dedicated to clothing swaps make it easy to trade items without leaving home.

Swapping is a wonderful way to build connections, save money, and give your clothes a second life.

3. Consignment Stores

If you’re short on time and don’t want to deal with taking photos, writing descriptions, or meeting buyers, consignment stores might be the way to go.

Clothing Consignment: Local boutiques or chains like Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads Trading often accept gently used, on-trend clothing.
Furniture Consignment: High-quality furniture can fetch a good price at consignment stores that specialize in home goods.
Kids’ Items: Stores like Once Upon a Child specialize in kids' clothing, toys, and baby gear.

4. Specialty Shops and Collectors

Some items have niche markets that make them more valuable in specialty shops:

Antique Stores: Perfect for vintage or rare items like jewelry, decor, or furniture.
Record Shops: If you’ve got a vinyl collection, these shops may buy it from you.
Bookstores: Used bookstores will often buy back books, especially rare editions or textbooks.

5. Flea Markets and Garage Sales

If you have a variety of items to sell and enjoy face-to-face interactions, these options are excellent:

Flea Markets: Rent a booth for a weekend and sell everything from home goods to clothes and art. It’s also a fun way to connect with your local community.
Garage Sales: A garage or yard sale is one of the quickest ways to sell items, especially if you have a lot to clear out.

6. Apps for Niche Items

Sometimes, certain apps are better suited for particular types of goods:

Chairish: Great for selling vintage or high-end furniture and decor.
Kidizen: Perfect for selling gently used kids’ clothes, toys, and gear.
Reverb: A platform for musical instruments and gear.

7. Local Options for Larger Items

Some items, like furniture or appliances, are better sold locally to avoid shipping costs. Besides Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp, check out:

Craigslist: Still a reliable platform for selling larger items to local buyers.
Nextdoor: A community-based app where neighbors can buy, sell, or trade items.

A Few Tips for Selling Success

Take Great Photos: Clear, well-lit images make a huge difference in attracting buyers.
Write Detailed Descriptions: Include sizes, brand names, and any flaws the item might have.
Price Fairly: Do some research to see what similar items are selling for.
Be Honest: Buyers appreciate transparency about the condition of the item.

Selling and Sustainability

By selling (or swapping!) your decluttered items, you’re helping to reduce waste and promote sustainability. Every item you pass along is one less item heading to the landfill and one more item finding a new home. It’s a win-win for your space and the planet!

Ready to turn clutter into cash—or trade it for something you’ll love? Start small, experiment with different platforms, and find what works best for you. Happy decluttering—and selling!

Rebecca Plachte-Zuieback

Where to Sell Items You’ve Decluttered: A Sustainable Guide to Decluttering

Here’s a guide to help you find the perfect place to sell your decluttered treasures.

1. Online Marketplaces

The internet has revolutionized the way we buy and sell, and there’s no shortage of platforms to choose from. Here are a few of the most popular:

eBay: Great for collectibles, antiques, and items that might appeal to niche buyers. It’s auction-style selling makes it a good fit for rarities.

Facebook Marketplace: Perfect for selling items locally without shipping costs. You can find buyers for everything from furniture to children’s toys.

Poshmark: A platform focused on clothing and accessories. If you have gently used or brand-name clothing, this is a great place to sell.

Depop: apparently Geared toward younger, trendier buyers, Depop is a fantastic platform for vintage and upcycled fashion.- this is my favorite app for purchasing new used clothing…does that mean i’m young and trendy

OfferUp: A simple app for selling just about anything locally. It’s easy to use and works well for furniture, appliances, and everyday items.

2. Clothing Swaps

Selling isn’t the only way to declutter—why not trade? Clothing swaps are a fun and sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe while clearing out items you no longer wear. Here’s how:

Host Your Own Swap: Invite friends, family, or your local community to bring gently used clothing and accessories or books they’d like to trade. Everyone leaves with something new-to-them!

Join Local Swaps: Many cities host organized clothing swap events where you can bring your items and trade with others.

Online Swapping Communities: Platforms like Swap.com or Facebook groups dedicated to clothing swaps make it easy to trade items without leaving home.

Swapping is a wonderful way to build connections, save money, and give your clothes a second life.

3. Consignment Stores

If you’re short on time and don’t want to deal with taking photos, writing descriptions, or meeting buyers, consignment stores might be the way to go.

Clothing Consignment: Local boutiques or chains like Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads Trading often accept gently used, on-trend clothing.

Furniture Consignment: High-quality furniture can fetch a good price at consignment stores that specialize in home goods.

Kids’ Items: Stores like Once Upon a Child specialize in kids' clothing, toys, and baby gear.

4. Specialty Shops and Collectors

Some items have niche markets that make them more valuable in specialty shops:

Antique Stores: Perfect for vintage or rare items like jewelry, decor, or furniture.

Record Shops: If you’ve got a vinyl collection, these shops may buy it from you.

Bookstores: Used bookstores will often buy back books, especially rare editions or textbooks.

5. Flea Markets and Garage Sales

If you have a variety of items to sell and enjoy face-to-face interactions, these options are excellent:

Flea Markets: Rent a booth for a weekend and sell everything from home goods to clothes and art. It’s also a fun way to connect with your local community.

Garage Sales: A garage or yard sale is one of the quickest ways to sell items, especially if you have a lot to clear out.

6. Apps for Niche Items

Sometimes, certain apps are better suited for particular types of goods:

Chairish: Great for selling vintage or high-end furniture and decor.

Kidizen: Perfect for selling gently used kids’ clothes, toys, and gear.

Reverb: A platform for musical instruments and gear.

7. Local Options for Larger Items

Some items, like furniture or appliances, are better sold locally to avoid shipping costs. Besides Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp, check out:

Craigslist: Still a reliable platform for selling larger items to local buyers.

Nextdoor: A community-based app where neighbors can buy, sell, or trade items.

A Few Tips for Selling Success

Take Great Photos: Clear, well-lit images make a huge difference in attracting buyers.

Write Detailed Descriptions: Include sizes, brand names, and any flaws the item might have.

Price Fairly: Do some research to see what similar items are selling for.

Be Honest: Buyers appreciate transparency about the condition of the item.

Selling and Sustainability

By selling (or swapping!) your decluttered items, you’re helping to reduce waste and promote sustainability. Every item you pass along is one less item heading to the landfill and one more item finding a new home. It’s a win-win for your space and the planet!

Ready to turn clutter into cash—or trade it for something you’ll love? Start small, experiment with different platforms, and find what works best for you. Happy decluttering—and selling!

DONATION GUIDE: HOW TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT WITH YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS