Spring is here (finally!), which means it’s time for spring cleaning and for my annual Twin Cities Spring Cleaning Guide!
To help you, this is a list of Twin Cities area resources to help you get rid of yard waste, papers, clothing and any other type of household items you no longer need.
This guide is sponsored by my partners at Kid A!
Kid A is a Minneapolis business that makes it super easy to sell and buy used baby/kid gear. To jumpstart your spring cleaning, Kid A will take all of your outgrown items at once, pay you for everything that they’ll sell, and donate the rest for you. They even do at-home pickups at no charge. Declutter, get paid, and spare the hassle!
Schedule a pickup or drop-off in no time at www.kidamarketplace.com. You can also bring items to drop-off at their shop (2313 W. 50th St., Minneapolis) anytime they are open (no appointment needed).
And here is a gift from me and Kid A: a FREE 2-page printable Spring Cleaning Checklist to help you clean out after you declutter! Click here to download or on image below:
Twin Cities Spring Cleaning Guide 2023
CLEAN UP YOUR YARD
YARD WASTE COLLECTION SITES
Each county offers free yard waste collection sites or assistance for its residents. At these sites you can often pick up free compost for your garden (while it lasts). They may also offer junk collection days where you drop off items like tires or electronics and even hazardous waste for a discount. Check out your local county website for locations and times:
RECYCLE YOUR STUFF AND SHRED YOUR PAPERS
Many cities offer clean-up days that include free shredding for residents, though most have been cancelled or postponed. Here is a list of events (all are for residents only unless otherwise specified – check before you go):
- Andover – Second Saturday of each month from 9:00am – 1:00pm. Andover Recycling Center, 1785 Crosstown Blvd. JR’s Advanced Recycling (651-454-9215) collects appliances, electronics, fluorescent bulbs, mattresses and box springs for recycling with a charge.
- Blaine – Third Saturday of each month from 8:00am – 12:00pm. Green Lights Recycling, 1525 99th Lane NE. (Open to all including non-Blaine residents.)
- Brooklyn Park – The next drop-off day is Saturday, April 29th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Held at Brooklyn Park Operations and Maintenance campus at 8300 Noble Avenue North.
- Maplewood – Spring Clean Up Day was Saturday, April 22nd. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aldrich Arena (1850 White Bear Avenue).
- Minneapolis – There are many cleanup days scheduled for Hennepin County including Minneapolis.
- Plymouth – Friday, April 28th and Saturday, April 29th. For more efficient service and reduced wait times, the 2023 Drop-Off Day will feature a two-day format. The event is held at the Plymouth Maintenance Facility, 14900 23rd Ave. N. Plymouth residents only – identification required.
- Rosemount – Rosemount Spring Clean Up and Shred Event is May 20th, 8:00am – 12:00pm. Dakota County Technical College, East Lot, 1300 145th St. E., Rosemount.
- Roseville – Spring Clean Up Day is Saturday, April 22, 2023, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Dale Street Soccer Field Parking Lot, 2555 Dale Street, Roseville, MN 55113 (Roseville residents only). Free Shredding on Saturday, May 20th at Roseville City Hall, 2660 Civic Center Drive, Roseville, MN 55113 (Roseville residents only). 9:00am – Noon.
- Saint Paul – They have many drop off events throughout the city.
Or check with your county as some offer various events and resources, such as self-serve paper shredding.
Banks and Credit Unions often offer free shredding for their members. Check your local bank or credit union’s website including:
MORE FREE PAPER SHREDDING EVENTS
Shred Right offers MANY free shredding events throughout the Twin Cities and beyond.
At most Shred Right events, you can bring up to 2 banker’s boxes of documents or floppy discs for FREE secure shredding. Check with each location for limitations. (Note: This list is subject to change. Check Shred Right’s website for the latest information.)
CHECK SHRED RIGHT’S LOCAL SHREDDING EVENTS HERE!
STOP JUNK MAIL
I almost titled this “Stop Unwanted Mail” but I realize that I probably can’t help you stop all the icky bills from coming – ha. But you CAN stop some of the junk mail and other stuff you don’t need or want.
Go to DMAchoice.org to get your address off of junk mail lists.
OR call toll-free 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. More info at the Federal Trade Commission’s website.
And visit ecocycle.org for more tips for stopping the flow of junk mail to your home!
REPAIR YOUR ITEMS
Not sure whether to keep or get rid of something? Would you keep it if you could just fix it?
There are many FREE fix-it clinics throughout the metro, where you can get household items fixed for free (and learn some repair skills too – be prepared to do the work with assistance). Events are offered regularly by each county (typically monthly):
Another organization that hosts similar clinics is the Minnesota Tool Library!
Check their website for upcoming “Fix-In” Clinics.
SELL YOUR ITEMS
KIDS’ STUFF
Kid A Minneapolis is a Minneapolis business owned by Matt, a local dad (see above!). His business makes it super easy to sell and buy used baby/kid gear. To jumpstart your spring cleaning, Kid A will take all of your outgrown items at once, pay you for everything that they’ll sell, and donate the rest for you. They even do at-home pickups at no charge. Declutter, get paid, and spare the hassle! Schedule a pickup or drop-off in no time at www.kidamarketplace.com. You can also bring items to drop-off at their shop (2313 W. 50th St., Minneapolis) anytime they are open (no appointment needed). I visited the shop and it’s worth checking out!
Once Upon a Child is the largest kids resale franchise in North America. They buy and sell gently used kids clothing, toys and baby gear and pay you on the spot. (I’ve sold items here – you can leave the items with them while you shop or come back later. They didn’t want most of my items [I mostly had used baby toys], but gave me about $7 for a few. I used it to buy more kids stuff!)
Just Between Friends Children’s Consignment Sales are held in different cities throughout the country including the Twin Cities. Sign up as a consignor and sell your stuff at an upcoming sale.
From Yours to Mine are kids consignment sales that happen twice a year in the Twin Cities.
Munchkin Markets are kids consignment sales that happen in multiple locations during the year in the Twin Cities.
ADULT CLOTHING
Clothes Mentor buys and sells used women’s clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories. This is the place to sell higher-end, brand name items. They have 7 locations in the Twin Cities area. (Read about my experience with a personal shopper there.)
Turn Style buys and sells used women’s and men’s clothing as well as home furnishings. They have 9 locations in the Twin Cities area, including a new Clearance store in Coon Rapids.
NuLook Consignment carries women’s, men’s, children’s and maternity clothing and accessories. Items must be 3 years old or newer. You must make an appointment for consignment.
Plato’s Closet buys and sells the latest looks in brand name gently used clothing and accessories for teen and twenty something guys and girls (think Gap, Express, Abercrombie & Fitch, etc.). They have 7 locations in Minnesota.
COMPUTERS, BOOKS AND MORE
Device Pitstop buys, sells and repairs electronics including smartphones, laptops, drones, video game systems and more. (I’ve had several very positive experiences at Device Pitstop of Maple Grove – the team there is great!!)
Half Price Books will pay you cash for your books, music, movies, games, game consoles, e-readers, and you can spend this cash in the store or take it home with you. “We pay the most for recent bestsellers and collectibles, but we’re also interested in good books, music and movies of all kinds. The primary factors we consider when buying used merchandise of any kind are: 1.) condition 2.) supply and demand.” (I sold a boxful of books at Half Price Books for $2. Not much, but I wanted to get rid of them.)
Craigslist is a free service to buy and sell anything locally. I’ve sold, given away or bought furniture, clothing, sporting goods and appliances on craigslist.
Nextdoor.com is probably one of the best places to sell or buy used items right now. Or give them away free! There are ton of items currently on there because people don’t have many places to take them so they’re going directly to neighbors online!
DONATE YOUR ITEMS
To get full tax-deductible value out of your donated items, my tax preparer recommended itemizing or photographing your donations and attaching to the receipt provided at the donation center.
HOME BUILDING SUPPLIES
Habitat for Humanity ReStores in New Brighton and Minneapolis (2 locations) accept just about any type of building supplies, from working appliances to bricks to countertops. Donations are tax deductible and 100% of proceeds support Habitat’s mission. Plus, you’ll be keeping good, reusable materials in use and out of landfills. Donations are accepted from everyone including individuals, building supply stores, contractors, demolition crews and various businesses.
BABY ITEMS AND CAR SEATS
Birthright helps pregnant women in need. They accept maternity and baby clothes.
CARS
Autos for Arc accepts car donations at any Arc’s Value Village location or you can arrange for a free vehicle pickup.
Newgate School turns your car and truck donations into tuition-free auto body and auto mechanical training for low income young adults.
CELL PHONES
AT&T Wireless stores, Best Buy, Sprint stores, Staples, Target and Verizon Wireless stores all offer free cell phone recycling.
Check with your church or local schools which sometimes collect cell phones as fundraisers.
COMPUTERS
Best Buy (nationwide) accepts and recycles computers and other technology items for free. You can even trade in old items for a gift card.
Minnesota Tech for Success extends the life of useful equipment by refurbishing it and selling it to schools for a highly discounted price. (Used to be called Minnesota Computers for Schools.)
PCs for People refurbishes used computers for low-income people and nonprofits. Located in St. Paul.
Tech Dump offers free computer recycling (some electronics accepted for a fee). Locations in St. Paul and Golden Valley.
DRESS WEAR/CLOTHING
Operation Glass Slipper collects gently used prom dresses, shoes and accessories and distributes them to Twin Cities high school students who can’t afford new dresses. Visit their website for info.
Dress for Success Twin Cities is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women located in the Twin Cities area. Their clients need suits, blazers, blouses, pants/skirts, purses, closed-toe shoes and scarves. Clothing must be in nearly new condition and must be current. If possible, please donate dry-cleaned clothing that is ready for our clients to wear. Register online to donate clothing. They have 3 clothing drop-off dates this year.
Pass Down the Gown offers a free dress rental service. If you have any formal dresses you want to donate and give a second life to, you can fill out a dress donation form and drop them off at Spoils of Wear.
FURNITURE
Bridging is a local organization that accepts donations of furniture items and household goods for those in need. They work with people transitioning out of homelessness to provide them with basic furniture & household goods. All donations are tax deductible, and they take some things that thrift stores won’t. They have locations in Roseville and Bloomington.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores in New Brighton and Minneapolis (2 locations) accept furniture. Donations are tax deductible and 100% of proceeds support Habitat’s mission. Donations are accepted from everyone including individuals, building supply stores, contractors, demolition crews and various businesses.
PLASTIC BAGS
Plastic bags (of any kind) can be recycled at many grocery stores including Cub, Target, Walmart, Byerly’s and many more. Look for collection bins at the front of the store. (Or reuse them as garbage liners like I do!)
TOYS
Minneapolis Toy Library – Got used toys that your kids have outgrown? If they’re for ages 0-5 and in good condition, donate them to the Minneapolis Toy Library. See their website for other criteria.
GENERAL REUSABLE HOUSEHOLD
These stores accept donations and will give you a tax-deductible receipt. Some will also give you a coupon for your next purchase (usually with an expiration date).
Thrift Stores
Savers and Unique Thrift Stores- There are 10 Savers and Unique thrift stores in Minnesota. Every time you donate reusable clothing and household items either to nonprofits or directly to Savers at one of their stores via a Community Donation Center, they pay the nonprofits. Sign up for their free rewards program. (Donate and receive a coupon for 20-30% off your next purchase.)
Goodwill – There are dozens of Goodwill stores in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Goodwill uses your donated goods to support programs that help prepare people for work.
Arc’s Value Village – There are 3 Arc’s Value Village thrift stores in the Twin Cities. Whenever you shop or donate at Arc’s Value Village, you’re helping children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. All proceeds go to support Arc Greater Twin Cities’ programs and services.
Salvation Army – There are multiple Salvation Army Family Stores plus many drop boxes in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. By shopping or giving at the Twin Cities area Salvation Army stores, you are helping to fund a life-saving rehabilitation program. To learn about the program, visit the Adult Rehabilitation Center website. Proceeds from stores in Greater Minnesota and North Dakota are used to support basic needs programs.
PRISM Shop for Change Thrift Shop – 1220 Zane Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55422. At Shop for Change you’ll find high-quality, uniquely affordable items for the entire family: clothing and shoes of all sizes, accessories, and small housewares like glasses, dishes, frames, home décor, craft supplies, and seasonal items. 100% of sales support their services. Every time you donate or shop you are helping to provide healthy food, proper clothing, and housing stability to the 6,500 people who seek PRISM’s help each year.
Websites
Freecycle also connects potential givers and takers of any type of item. It’s similar to Twin Cities Free Market in that you have to register (for free), but is a network of groups around the world.
Hennepin County’s Choose to Reuse website is a great resource for everything you need to sell, donate, repair, rent or share items.
Want another recycling resource? Earth911.org is a great website where you can search for places to recycle any item near you.
MEDICINE DROPOFF
Ramsey County has six free drop box locations for residents to drop off medicines. They accept prescription, over-the-counter and pet medicines. Needles and syringes are NOT accepted at these locations (except full epi-pens), BUT they are accepted FREE year-round at Ramsey County’s hazardous waste collection site at 5 Empire Dr, Saint Paul (ramseyatoz.com) or call 651-633-EASY (3279).
Hennepin County has free drop box locations for residents to drop off medicines, and many drop boxes at independent pharmacies. Same as Ramsey County, except check their website for where to drop off needles and syringes.
Live in another County? Check your county’s website for locations available to you.
Most HealthPartners pharmacies have a collection program for medicines. Visit their website for details and locations.
OTHER STUFF
Not sure where to donate your items? Call United Way at 211 for help.
Have more tips to share? Comment below or email me at twincitiesfrugalmom @ gmail.com.
[…] sure to use my Twin Cities Spring Cleaning Guide 2023 for more tips on how to clean up, donate and sell […]