Don't Toss These 20 Old Household Items - They Might Be More Valuable Than You Think

Even those who aren't big fans of decluttering occasionally set aside a precious weekend to organize their belongings and get rid of items that no longer serve a purpose. You might have even donned your emotional armor to help you let go of sentimental items, like your grandfather's wristwatch or your grandmother's beloved Christmas ornaments. Surely, it's better to toss them out than let them take up space in your home and add to the clutter, right? While this might be true for the most part, you should check the value of some items before you send them off to lead a miserable life in overflowing landfills. For instance, the old cast iron skillet or Pyrex's refrigerator-safe dishes could be worth a small fortune today.

In a similar fashion, you should check the vintage furniture in your living room, the pre-war pennies you inherited, and the old books you received as a gift. In other words, the antique or vintage items you own might be worth more than you expect. Although it's a good idea to exercise caution before tossing anything out, it's important to remember that not every old or vintage item in your home will fit the bill. So, wipe the dollar signs from your eyes and look over your belongings with a critical eye. To be 100% sure, get any item you think might be worth more appraised by a dependable expert. Need a little help identifying the pieces? Here are 20 old household items that might be more valuable than you think.

Before writers had the luxury of typing on multiple devices and syncing them, the likes of Ernest Hemingway had to sit in a spot and feed the typewriter page after page to bring their words alive. Considered a vast improvement from the paper and quill days, they can be worth a tidy sum today. Think along the lines of $50 to $5,000 (and above), provided they're in good shape, are from a good brand like Remington or Hammond, and belong to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Limited editions and eye-catching designs will help your case, too.

If you come across old books with dusty jackets while cleaning out the previous homeowner's forgotten bookshelf, you might be tempted to give them away rather than spend time and effort (and money, sometimes) restoring them to their former glory. But before you donate them, check if they're first editions since they can be worth a small fortune — up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Of course, not all first editions are priced similarly. A book must be scarce, in good condition, and an item worth collecting, like "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."

Thinking of donating your grandmother's Lucite handbag or your mother's vintage Chanel purse? Well, you might start loving (and caring) for them more when you learn that these antique or vintage bags are still popular among collectors and are quite valuable. While the exact value will depend on their material (leather, straw, vinyl, Lucite, jeweled frame, and snakeskin are in demand), condition (holes and mildew make them less attractive), and whether they feature the original hardware (authentic clasps and zippers will positively influence their value), they might be worth a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Although smartwatches are all the rage nowadays, your father or grandfather might own a few that were designed to just do one job: tell time. They might seem outdated, but they can be worth thousands of dollars. So, if you inherit one, instead of giving it away for free or selling it for cheap, check its brand and model. This is because companies known for manufacturing quality pieces, like Omega and Rolex, will be priced higher than inferior ones. Even better if they're rare pieces with all of their original dial, hands, and bezels intact.

If you were a gamer back in the day, you probably have fond memories of spending hours playing video games on your Xbox or Nintendo. While they might feel old school and not worth a lot (besides the sentimental value, of course), you might be sitting on a gold mine. Case in point, a sealed hangtab copy of "Super Mario Bros" was sold for $114,000 in 2020. However, not every game is worth this hefty sum. Sealed PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox, Sega, and Atari games with their associated cartridge, boxes, and manuals are your best bet.

Your days of playing with porcelain dolls might be over, but if you're contemplating whether you should save your old friends for your children or donate them, you might want to check their value first. This is because antique dolls that are in pristine condition (mostly!) and are a hit among collectors can be worth thousands of dollars. Dolls from the late 1800s to early 1900s are also worth more. Bonus points if you possess one dressed in era-appropriate garments and fashionable accessories (think hats and footwear). The doll's manufacturer plays an important role, too, with Jumeau being a fan favorite.

If you routinely buy antique furniture for your home and enjoy the vintage trend, chances are you own a few well-loved pieces. Before you consider replacing them with their modern contemporaries to refresh your interiors, check whether they belong to the antique category since such pieces can be worth a tidy sum. Examine a piece to locate any manufacturer's mark or labels to understand more about its age and significance. The type of wood used is also a good indicator. Timbers like mahogany, elm, pine, oak, and rosewood are considered valuable. Slight imperfections, such as less-than-perfect dovetails, usually indicate your furniture is vintage.

Remember the time Gabriel gifted his omelet pan to Emily in "Emily in Paris" as a token of their relationship? Yeah, you might not want to do this with your cast iron skillet, especially if you have inherited it from your grandmother or your great-grandma since ones from reputed brands, like Griswold and Le Creuset, are quite valuable. Similarly, limited edition Pyrex dishware is worth a spot in a collector's kitchen. Your sterling silver (92.5% silver mixed with alloys; not silver-plated) tea and dining sets will also fetch you a neat sum of money

You might be used to taking high-definition pictures on your smartphone, but that doesn't mean the Polaroid camera gathering dust in your wardrobe is worthless. Depending on the model you have, it could be worth anywhere between $20 and $2000. Of course, the condition, color, and demand will determine the final price. For instance, some rare models, like the 20x24, could even fetch thousands of dollars. Fashionable accessories, like fancy straps and a leather case, will also help. Vintage cameras from other well-known brands like Fuji, Nikon, and Kodak are valuable as well.

Have a few old coins in your possession? You might want to check if they're worth anything before you misplace them or throw them in a wishing well. Although the coin's demand in the market and its history will determine its price today, all valuable coins have one thing in common: they were minted before the end of World War II. That being said, remember, not all of them are worth a fortune. You only stand to receive a valuable sum if the coin is considered a rarity among collectors and is sought-after.

Before people had the freedom to play their favorite music anytime, anywhere via apps like Apple Music and Spotify, they bought vinyl records to listen to their tunes. If you own a few limited editions, special prints (exclusive anniversary or autographed ones, for example), or rare records, you might not have to look into clever vinyl record storage solutions since you can sell them for a good price — expect to receive anywhere between a few thousand and a couple of hundred thousand dollars. Obviously, this will depend on the condition and size of your vinyl collection.

If you've been harboring boxes of old magazines, then it's worth checking if you own collectible issues. Simply put, you need coveted prints, such as Wizard: The Comics Magazine and Dragon Magazine, to get a high rate of return on your initial investment. First editions will increase your chances of piquing a serious collector's interest. This also means that magazines that were ubiquitous and found within every American household, such as Life or Newsweek, won't be worth much.

If you (or your relatives) attended live concerts back in the day decked in official band gear, thank your past self. This is because your old band t-shirts might be worth a few hundred (or thousand if the bands are experiencing a resurgence right now) dollars. The t-shirt's final value will depend on how rare they are and how popular the band is. Similarly, good-quality licensed t-shirts will be worth more than custom copies. You can also expect to get a tidy sum for your band tee if you've only worn it a few times and it looks newish.

Not a big fan of your father's "basic" leather suitcase and want to get rid of it? Well, you might change your tune once you learn the case's value. Luggage from known designers like Louis Vuitton, Asprey, Drew & Sons of Piccadilly, Goyard, Au Départ, Finnigans, Dunhill, Revelation, and Paul Romand can fetch hundreds or thousands of dollars. Check the manufacturer's label to ascertain the brand of an old trunk or suitcase. The sale value depends on the luggage's condition. While normal wear and tear is acceptable (and appreciated), torn seams or frayed edges will knock down the price.

Rotary phones will add a nice touch to your interiors when you're trying to decorate your home like "Mad Men." However, if you're over the show's aesthetic and are looking to emulate more modern styles, take a pause before giving away your old rotary phones. These dinosaur gadgets are back in vogue, and you can sell them for a higher price than you bought them for. Although some models are only worth a few ten or hundred dollars, one-of-a-kind designs in working condition and striking shades could sell for thousands.

Legos have been a building block of most of our childhoods (pun intended!). So, it stands to reason that you might have a few boxes stashed away to honor the good old days. That being said, if you ever decide to part ways with your set or gift it to the next generation, you should see if the blocks are worth more than their retail price. Rare or discontinued sets (like colored blocks and goat figures) could be valued at hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. Those in their original packaging will fetch more.

Most of us probably used Crayola's crayons to bring our childhood ideas to life. Still own a few sets? They might be in demand, and their prices may have increased from what they initially retailed at. Although broken pieces or lost crayons will negatively impact a set's value, you might be in luck if you own a complete set with retired shades, such as Dandelion, Mulberry, Magic Mint, and Lemon Yellow. The price might go up if you have sealed crayons with their packaging intact

Remember the golden days when you accused (sometimes, wrongly) your siblings of cheating the bank while playing a "friendly" game of "Monopoly"? Or, the time you learned the most high-scoring words in "Scrabble" to beat your cousins and friends? In case you still have the old games, don't toss them out. Those boards could be worth as much as the memories they evoke. For instance, the first edition of "The Game of Life" could be worth a few hundred dollars, while the black and white box versions of "Monopoly" might fetch you a few thousand dollars.

Even though you won't see kids toting around the metal, plastic, or tin lunch boxes you took to school, they are still a favorite amongst collectors and are worth hundreds to thousands of dollars. The caveat? They must be in good shape. This means dents, scratches, and chipping color is a big no-no. If you manage to find your lunch box's accompanying thermos, you might be able to secure a higher price. Sadly, not all vintage boxes are valuable, but you stand to make a tidy sum from 1954 Superman, 1962 Flintstones, 1935 Mickey Mouse, and the like.

Are you among people who keep a close eye on stunning Christmas decor trends prior to decking their house for the festive season? If yes, you might not have much use for the vintage ornaments passed down to you by your grandmother. This doesn't mean you should donate them without checking their value first. Indeed, rare and limited edition ornaments can get you tens to hundreds of dollars, depending on their condition and demand in the market. Their craftsmanship, history (particularly if the story is really juicy and moving), and material will play a key role, too.