Chances are if you’re like most Americans, you’ll find yourself with the urge to do some “spring cleaning” this month (Spring Cleaning Week is usually designated as the last week in March).

Why? According to a survey conducted by Clorox last year, 37% of you do it for your own sanity—the old “clean house, clear head” motivation, while 14% of you see it as a ritual and 9% of you actually enjoy it.

Another 32% of you do it to get rid of old stuff, make room for the new. But what do you do with the old stuff? Trying to figure that out can be a stumbling block to even getting started (apparently 54% of you have a hard time getting motivated) so I’m here to give you some local resources to help you unload, dispose of, recycle, or consign items that you no longer need.

Consigning Women. Consignment shops like this one offer a financial incentive for cleaning out your closet. Bring in your designer clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories and they’ll share the profit off anything they sell. What you earn depends on what your items sell for. Any clothing less than $150, you earn 40% of the sales price; over $150 nets you 50%. Handbags garner 60% payback. Consignment periods vary from 60 days for clothing to 120 days for handbags. As with all consignment shops you want to be sure your items are clean and in good condition, seasonal, and fairly new—like within the last year or two. High-end department store or designer labels are preferred in both contemporary and classic styles. 1235-B McVey Avenue, 503.697.1636.

Simply Posh and Posh Jewelers. Simply Posh is on the lookout for the same quality and condition of items as Consigning Women. “We accept the items we believe our customers will love,” they explain on their website. Judging by what’s featured online, their customers prefer high end merchandise like a Coach Clutch and Wallet Combo for $139.99, a pair of Prada Ankle Boots for $119.99 or a Kate Spade dress for $85.99. Consignment periods vary from 90 days for clothing and accessories to six months and longer for jewelry. Their pay rates offer you 40% of sales less than $49.99; 50% for those between $50 and $199.99 and 60% over $200. Fine jewelry has its own consignment schedule. In case your closets are looking rather empty after all that spring cleaning, you might want to take note that Simply Posh is reviving a special discount for new consigners–enjoy 15% off anything you purchase on your first day of signing on.  101 A Avenue, 503.343.3444.

Poshmark. Billed as the “largest social media marketplace for fashion,” Poshmark lets you strut your new and gently used clothing and accessories online in front of thousands of shoppers. Download the app and do it all from your phone. It’s easy—just take a photo of your item, upload it, write a description, set a price, and share it. Once a sale is made, Poshmark will email you a prepaid shipping label. For items that sell under $15, Poshmark charges a flat $2.95 service fee. Anything over $15, they take a 20% commission, leaving you with 80% of the sales price.

Oswego Trading Company. Know you need to make more room but can’t decide what to part with? Owners Sally Caplan and Ken Ackerman are happy to offer their input. Their high end consignment and design showroom is filled with an eclectic mix of furnishings, artwork and décor. Name dropping happens here too with brands like Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn included in the lineup. Facebook fans speak to the “amazing selection,” “great service,” and “top notch.” While everything in the store is consigned, some of the merchandise is new as the owners accept floor displays from some Portland stores that are rotating their stock as well as artwork from local artisans. It’s easy to run your stuff by them—just complete an online form with item details like age, manufacturer, purchase price and condition and upload a photo or two. If they decide to carry it, and the item sells, you make 50% of the sales price. 17475 Pilkington Road, 503.636.1506.

Goodwill Donation Centers. For those items that don’t make the designer, high end cutoff, there is Goodwill and now there’s a convenient drop-off location on both ends of the lake. 17150 Lower Boones Ferry Road or 401 S. State Street. Call for hours: 503.238.6100.

Lakewood’s 20th Annual April Clothing Resale. Clean out your closet and get paid in goodwill by donating your clean, gently used women’s, men’s and children’s clothing to the Lakewood Center’s annual fundraiser. Drop-off donations will be accepted Tuesday and Wednesday, April 3-4 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Early donations? Call Nancy Sergeant at 503.635.5221). The sale takes place Thursday, April 5 through Saturday, April 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday.

Recycling. Maybe you find yourself with the less-than-glamorous stuff you want to get rid of like old batteries, paint cans, outdated computer screens or appliances. Far West Recycling right in Lake Oswego accepts some items. Check their website for a complete list. For everything else, go to oregonmetro.gov and find a recycler. All you have to do is plug in your zip code and what you want to get rid of and Metro will direct you to recyclers in your area. Some provide their service for free; others charge a fee.

If you find yourself spring cleaning and decide “out with the old, in with the new,” includes your house, give me a call. I’d be more than happy to sit down with you and discuss what you’re looking for in a new home and how much you can expect to get for your old one. Check out my website or reach me at 503.939.9801.