Charity shops: what they’ll take
Charity shops want clean things in good condition that someone would be happy to buy: clothes, shoes, bags, books, DVDs, homeware and toys. St Vincent de Paul runs more than 200 Vincent’s shops across the island of Ireland, and Enable Ireland, Oxfam Ireland, NCBI, Barnardos and many local charities have shops too.
- Drop off during opening hours. Don’t leave bags outside a closed shop or next to a full clothes bank. They get rained on and picked through, the charity pays to dump what’s ruined, and leaving them can count as illegal dumping.
- No broken, stained or torn items. If you wouldn’t buy it, the shop can’t sell it.
Furniture
Not every charity shop has room for furniture. St Vincent de Paul lists the Vincent’s shops that take furniture, and some arrange collection. Other charities take furniture at some of their shops too. Ring first to check.
- It needs to be clean and in good condition: no rips, stains or broken parts. Sofas and armchairs usually need their fire safety labels.
- If no charity will take it, your council’s recycling centre may accept it, or try giving it away on DoneDeal or Facebook Marketplace. See where to sell furniture if you’d rather try selling it first.
Old phones, tablets and electricals
Even an old phone may be worth something, so check a trade-in price on the phones page first. Whatever you do with it, back it up, sign out of your accounts and wipe it, and take out the SIM.
Old electrical items, phones included, are recycled free. When you buy a new appliance, the shop must take your old one back free, and council recycling centres and WEEE collection days take them free too. Never put phones or anything with a battery in a household bin: the batteries can start fires.
Batteries
Shops that sell batteries, including most supermarkets, have a free collection box for old ones.
Books
- Charity shops take most books in good condition.
- Community book swaps and little free libraries are happy to have popular fiction and children’s books.
Bedding, towels and pillows
Animal shelters often welcome old towels, blankets and duvets for bedding. Ring your local shelter first, because their needs change.
Give it away locally
- Freecycle and local Buy Nothing groups are free giveaway groups.
- On DoneDeal, Adverts.ie or Facebook Marketplace, list it as free.
- Arrange a collection time, and don’t post your full address until you’ve agreed one.
What not to donate
- Medicines: take them back to your pharmacy, which will dispose of them safely. Don’t put them in the bin or down the toilet.
- Paint and chemicals: take them to a council recycling centre that accepts them.
- Children’s car seats: charities won’t take them, because nobody can tell if one has been in an accident.
Not sure what to sell and what to give away? The declutter list helps you score everything room by room.