Spring Cleaning With Electronics
It’s officially the first day of Spring (even though the weather feels like it’s the first day of winter – Brrrrrr.) expect to see more ‘Spring cleaning’ ads and opportunities bombard your life like never before. If you’re like me, you probably have an oasis of electronics that you’ve been hoarding since 1983 – and it’s time to let go. How else do you expect to keep up with the latest technologies, if you can’t let go of the nostalgic gadgets of the past? There’s no better time to include electronics on your spring cleaning agenda than now. With so many options to clear some space, make some money or do good for the planet, there’s no reason not to try these spring cleaning tips below…
Cleaning:
It’s clear that your new 60″ HDTV or laptop is not on the chopping block (yet) – so there’s no need to consider getting rid of it. But when was the last time you cleaned up your electronics? Consider this:
Be clean: Keep your computer hardware germ-free. The best ways to clean the accumulated dust, grime, and gunk from your keyboard, mouse, and monitor.
Don’t clean your HDTV with Windex. The chemicals found in commercial cleaning solutions could damage your flat-panel’s screen. Instead, opt for a microfiber cloth dampened with water.
4 tips to speed up your PC. As we said in the fall, regular maintenance will keep your computer humming at a fast clip. Here are four simple steps for getting it back into shape after a gluttonous winter. This would also be a good time to back up your digital data.
Selling:
Take inventory of all unused electronics in your home, and separate them into two piles. Everything that’s two years old and older, place in pile A and all of your newer (unwanted / unused electronics) place in pile B.
Research: Now that you’re ready to sell some of your electronics, you need to know how to price those items and make some money. Take your newer items (Pile B items) and research the retail prices online and on sites like Craigslist and eBay.
List: Based on your preference, you can then list those items on Craigslist, eBay or other sites like Gazelle.com or for a quick fix EcoATM examines your device and offers a price based on its condition. If you decide to sell it, you’ll drop in you device and receive cash right away. You can search for the nearest EcoATM on the company’s website.
Donate:
You might not do much with the hundred or so dollars you get for that used laptop, but a local school or library could benefit greatly from having more working computers. There are many options for donating your old devices, from local charities to larger established programs.
Goodwill and Dell teamed up for the Reconnect program, which accepts donated computers at select Goodwill locations. The official site has a full list of items it will accept and locations near you. The Salvation Army also accepts used computers and electronics. If you’re donating a cell phone, the Verizon’s Hopeline program and the 911 Cell Phone Bank are just some of the many charitable projects that can do good with your old handset.
Recycling:
Now for Pile A. If your device is too old or damaged to sell, don’t just chuck it into the trash can, recycle it. Many electronics manufacturers also have mail-in and drop-off recycling programs for their old devices, including Apple, Samsung and Sony. Wireless carriers will take old flip phones at no cost. Sometimes, recycling older electronics can become costly with processing fees, but I’ve found Best Buy’s Recycling Program to be the best and easiest of them all. Head to the nearest Best Buy and they will take electronics off your hands for free.
Now that you have a few tips to get you started, how do you plan to tackle your spring cleaning projects? If you plan on donating, recycling or selling your electronics in the process, let us know your experience below.
Spring Cleaning With Electronics
Spring Cleaning With Electronics
Spring Cleaning With Electronics
