Spring Cleaning? Michigan Donation Rules You Need to Know

Spring is in the air in Michigan.

With the prospect of sunnier, warmer, brighter days ahead, that spring cleaning energy is starting to hit hard. People are literally and metaphorically shaking off the dust of the season to start fresh.

Where to Donate in Mid-Michigan

However, after that productive energy hits, you realize that there's a giant pile of things sitting in a box labeled "donations" that you now have to contend with.

If you need to know where to take that box of donations that's been sitting your trunk for a week, Mid-Michigan has a few big options: Goodwill Industries, Volunteers of America, and the MSU Surplus Store.

What You Can Donate

Goodwill Industries and Volunteers of America accept a variety of items:

• gently used clothing and shoes
• books
• toys
• housewares
• small appliances
• small furniture in good condition

The MSU Surplus Store has an even more narrow window, focusing on electronics and household goods.

While it's important to know what they will accept, it's equally important to know what they won't accept.

What You Cannot Donate

While the rules vary from donation center to donation center, these common household items are not accepted as donations:

• mattresses
• box springs
• car seats
• cribs
• large appliances
• paint, chemicals, & hazardous materials
• tires, batteries, & auto parts

Also keep in mind that while these donation centers are accepting items, this is not your opportunity to pitch everything in your slightly creepy basement. All items must be clean, working, and re-sellable.

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Spring cleaning in Michigan can really help give you that fresh-feeling start. So if you're in the mood to do some tidying and purging, remember what Mid-Michigan donation centers will and won't accept before you drop off that box of donations.