We all did a lot of spring cleaning this year and even went through a lot of our old stuff over the course of the past year while we were sitting at home quarantining during the pandemic.

While we may think we are doing good by donating ALL of our stuff to Goodwill, you may actually be doing the stores a disservice.

According to KARE 11, there has been a big uptick in donations because of the pandemic. As mentioned above, we are all spring cleaning and cleaning out our homes during our time quarantining. These are the reasons they are seeing a big spike in donations.

While this is a good thing, it is also a problem because we are getting rid of more things than ever before and with that, more junk than ever before.

Get our free mobile app

According to the report, Goodwill stores nationwide are seeing more things like flashlights with bad batteries, dolls that are no longer put together and broken furniture. Other items are worn out and therefore, are no good to Goodwill.

From there, because they are seeing an uptick in donations and therefore an uptick in unusable items, they have to staff more people to go through more donations. They also have to pay money to dispose of unusable items, which means more costs with more things they have to throw away.

This is not to say you shouldn't donate to Goodwill. If you want to do so, just make sure that it is an item that they can use. According to Goodwill Duluth's website, you should avoid donating items that are "broken, excessively worn, unsafe or simply unsalable."

There is a long list of things that you can donate to Goodwill locations in the Twin Ports, though. That list includes clothing, glassware, yard goods, furniture, jewelry, small appliances, tools, books, musical equipments and more.

There are several Goodwill locations in the Twin Ports, including Duluth and Hermantown.

KEEP READING: Creative Ways to Bring Joy to Your Neighborhood While Social Distancing

KEEP READING: 50 community resources supporting Americans financially impacted by COVID-19

More From B105