It’s that time of the year again. Spring is just around the corner and with the changing of seasons comes the yearly ritual of spring-cleaning. A fresh new start after a brutal winter puts many people in the mood to clear some of the clutter acquired from the previous year.

Not only is spring cleaning therapeutic, it is also a great way to turn clutter into cash. With the advent of the Internet, never again will last year’s accumulation of “stuff” be just a pile of forgotten treasures on their way to the dump. Now with a little effort and time, last year’s junk can become this year’s cash.

The Apps Whether you prefer Wallapop, Swappa, letgo, or something else entirely, app-based marketplaces provide consumers with quick, simple, aesthetic tools to offload their “crap” for cash. Apps like Wallapop and letgo function like a modernized, “pretty-fied” Craigslist, featuring a vast array of junk items – from electronics and vehicles to furniture and clothes. Apps like Swappa have a more narrow focus, featuring “new-ish” smartphones, tablets, smart watches, and accessories for these electronics. Depending on what you’re trying to offload, there’s likely an app that caters to your specific (or general) needs. Even that gift card your grandmother got you for Olive Garden, which you never intend to use, can be swapped for cash via Gift Card Granny.

In terms of more traditional online platforms for selling used goods, the following are popular, well-tested, effective means to offload items for a profit.

eBay

When it comes to selling online, eBay is usually the first site people think of. With an uncomplicated selling platform and easy to use setup process, eBay has rightfully earned its place as the top of online selling resource – although new apps may give eBay a run for its money if eBay if doesn’t step up its app game. In addition, by using eBay as a selling platform – there is an added benefit of reaching millions of eBay users. With such a large audience, there is a much greater chance of reaching that one person who can’t live without that ‘thing’ collecting dust on the shelf.

With Ebay’s long retail history, it often helps you find listings which describe either the item you are selling or one similar. This data will help the consumer get a better idea of what prices their items have fetched prior to listing.

Amazon

You can easily sign up to sell as an individual on Amazon if you plan to sell fewer than 40 items a month. Amazon will charge you $0.99 per sale plus other selling fees, but also offers you access to the world’s largest online marketplace. If you plan to sell more than 40 items per month, you can register as a professional seller. The fees are a bit higher, but are likely offset by the increased sales volume. Once you’ve registered as a seller, Amazon’s process is pretty straightforward: 1) list item 2) sell item 3) ship item 4) get paid.

Craigslist

Another option for turning clutter to cash is Craigslist. The advantages are that consumers don’t typically have to ship items to purchasers and can instead meet in person. Like anything done online, caution is the key. When selling an item on Craigslist, practice the ‘safety first’ mentality and there will be nothing to worry about. With a cautious approach, selling on Craigslist can be a lucrative option to clear clutter and add to spring cleaning cash.