If you've completed your Spring Cleaning and are unsure of what to do with the things you no longer want, use these tips to avoid adding to landfills while earning extra money.

1. Donate to a tax-exempt organization to earn a tax deduction.
   Items you donated should be in good condition. The IRS lets you deduct the fair market value of clothing or household items and suggests claiming values that you would be paid if you took your items to a retail shop.

   Learn more by reading:
   • IRS Publication 526—Charitable Contributions
   • IRS Publication 561—Determining the Value of Donated Property
   You can also use Turbo Tax's ItsDeductible online to help determine your values. Remember to keep a list of the items you donate.
2. Sell your items online using sites like craigslist or eBay.
   It is estimated that you can receive 30 to 50 percent of the retail cost of your item. If you choose craigslist, you may want to pursue a cash only option so you aren't given a bad check.
3. Have a garage sale. Place an ad on craigslist or in your local paper or shopper publication.
   Be aware that buyers may try to negotiate with you for lower prices.
4. Sell your items through a consignment shop. This is ideal for brand-name clothing in near perfect condition.
   Visit your local shops to learn about what items they will accept in addition to how you will be compensated.