Decluttering your home can feel incredibly rewarding, especially when you know your unwanted items are going to a good cause. However, not everything you want to discard is welcome at donation centers. Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army often have strict guidelines on what they can and cannot accept. Donating unsuitable items can create more work for these organizations, as they’ll have to dispose of them themselves. Here’s a rundown of things that thrift stores prefer you keep off their donation list—and what you can do with them instead.
Anything Damaged Beyond Repair
Before donating, ask yourself, “Would I buy this?” If an item is broken, non-functional, or heavily worn, it’s best to dispose of it responsibly. Donation centers aren’t meant to serve as junk drop-offs. Instead, focus on donating quality items that could truly benefit someone else.
Large Appliances
Big-ticket items like refrigerators, stoves, and ovens take up too much space and are often a hassle for thrift stores to manage. Additionally, appliances that aren’t thoroughly cleaned can harbor bacteria. Consider recycling them through a scrap metal facility or selling them locally instead.
Torn or Stained Clothing
While thrift stores happily accept wearable, clean clothing, items with stains, tears, or broken zippers are a no-go. If your clothes are beyond repair, try repurposing them as cleaning rags or finding textile recycling programs.
Firearms, Ammunition, or Fireworks
Items that pose safety risks—like firearms and fireworks—are off-limits for donation. Firearms can often be surrendered legally to local police departments, while fireworks should be soaked in water and disposed of safely in the trash.
Cribs and Car Seats
Due to safety concerns, most thrift stores won’t accept used cribs or car seats. These items may not meet current safety standards or could have unseen damage that compromises their functionality. If you have these items, check with local organizations that specialize in child safety equipment recycling.
Old CRT TVs
Bulky cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs are considered outdated and rarely sell, even in secondhand stores. Instead, look into e-waste recycling programs in your area, or take advantage of BestBuy’s recycling program for smaller TVs.
Mattresses
Used mattresses are rarely accepted due to hygiene concerns and storage issues. However, some organizations, like St. Vincent de Paul, may accept them if they meet specific conditions, such as being relatively new and free of damage.
Car Parts
Used tires, batteries, and other automotive parts are not accepted by most donation centers. These items can pose safety hazards and are challenging to resell. Instead, consider selling or giving them away through online marketplaces or recycling them at an auto shop.
Building Materials
Thrift stores lack the space and resources to handle construction leftovers like sheetrock, tiles, and lumber. However, Habitat for Humanity ReStores gladly accept these materials and use the proceeds to build affordable housing.
Recalled Items
If an item has been recalled, it’s unsafe to donate it. Check its recall status on Recalls.gov before passing it along. Keeping hazardous items out of circulation helps ensure no one else is put at risk.
Periodicals
Magazines and newspapers typically don’t have resale value and take up unnecessary space at donation centers. Instead, drop off your recent magazines at senior centers or use newspapers as bedding for pets at local shelters.
Sleeper Sofas
While convenient, sleeper sofas are heavy, bulky, and often difficult to sell. If you’re looking to part with one, try listing it on a freecycle site or connecting with someone who can use it directly.
Donating Done Right
While donating is a wonderful way to help others and reduce waste, it’s essential to ensure your items are appropriate. By sticking to thrift store guidelines and exploring alternative recycling options, you can declutter responsibly while making a positive impact.
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