CLOTHING & SHOES

•   Make your clothing items look new. The more time you take to wash and iron your clothing, the better it will look to a buyer!

•   Button all the buttons, zip all the zippers, tie all the bows, etc. This keeps your item looking neat and tidy, just like it came off the store shelf!

• A fabric shaver works GREAT on balled or pilling fabric, and can be purchased at Wal-mart or Target for $5-7. Also trim any loose threads!

• Include thorough descriptions on your tags! We constantly seek to match any lost tags to lost pieces, and the descriptions are CRUCIAL for this process and will greatly aid us in selling your items!  Good descriptions include brand, type of outfit (dress, romper, pant set, etc), # of pieces, colors or patterns, material (corduroy, fleece, velour, etc), and any wording on the outfit.

• Whether or not you place shoes in Ziploc bags (recommended), connect the shoes together using zip-ties or curling ribbon so they are INSEPARABLE. This way, if the shoes are removed from the Ziploc bag, your shoes are still connected together.

• Connect the TAG TO THE SHOES, using zip-ties or curling ribbon. This way, if the shoes are removed from the Ziploc bag, the tag is intact. Before you run the zip-tie or curling ribbon through the tag, place a piece of packaging tape over the tag to make it stronger and protect the tag from tearing as easily.

Remember, we don’t accept items with stains, but did you know that MOST stains can be removed?!?! Try these stain solutions!

• Grease Stains: For dark spots on dark fabrics, which are usually grease stains, use Dawn Dishwashing Liquid. Rub into the stain and wash as normal. Almost always works great, even if the item has been dried in the dryer. Occasionally it will take treating twice.
• Food & Yellow Stains: Mix about 1/2 cup dishwashing detergent (such as Cascade) with 1/2 cup of Clorox 2 (the pink liquid) in about 1-2 gallons of water. Soak the stained item in the mixture for several hours, then wash as usual. Works for other types of stains as well.
• Ink Stains: Use alcohol, or try aerosol hairspray.
• Blood Stains: Pour Hydrogen Peroxide on stain, let it sit a bit, then rinse in cold water. Repeat and wash with soap until stain is gone. Will not bleach colors. Always use COLD water.
• Scuff marks on shoes: Use a Magic Eraser.
• Gum: Place the clothing in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. When the gum has frozen, scrape it away with a knife!
• Other good stain fighters: Resolve powder & pre-wash, Vivid, Clorox 2 Spray, Zout, Biz, Oxy Clean, good ole dish soap!

TOYS & EQUIPMENT

Wipe your equipment clean and wash covers & fabric parts! Most fabric seats and covers can be removed and washed – this can really improve your item’s overall condition! When comparing two identical items, the cleaner one usually sells faster, even if it’s more expensive! A few minutes cleaning your equipment could mean more money in your pocket!

• How to clean fabric seats/covers: Remove the fabric seats/covers, mix 1/2 cup dishwashing detergent (such as Cascade) with 1/2 cup of Clorox 2 (the pink liquid) in about 1-2 gallons of water, soak the fabric in the mixture for several hours or overnight, machine wash, and hang to dry.
• How to clean plastic parts: good ‘ole dish soap and water. Try a Magic Eraser on the stubborn spots!

If you no longer have the user manual for your stroller, car seat, highchair, etc., consider printing it off online at the manufacturer’s website or www.manualsonline.com and attaching it to your item. Just another way to increase the selling value of your item!

Include batteries!  Buyers are less likely to buy an item they can’t test out properly. But, batteries are expensive, huh!?!  So here’s a tip: Dollar Tree carries all types of batteries for only $1!

Please make sure all toys are clean before tagging them for the sale. Here’s an idea: Keep a package of wipes handy while you tag (could use regular wipes or disinfecting wipes), and give them all a good wipe-down!  You want your toys to sell, so take a second to clean them up!  Toys that are not clean may be removed from the sales floor.

Wrap puzzles in saran wrap, then tape over the saran to make sure it stays wrapped. Puzzles can then be easily seen, but pieces won’t be lost! You can also do this for multiple books or videos that you want to combine.

Use scotch, masking or painters tape to secure tags to books, videos or other things where packaging tape would tear the surface of the item.