Thrift stores: what they’ll take
Goodwill, The Salvation Army and local charity thrift stores want clean things in good condition that someone would be happy to buy: clothes and shoes, kitchenware, home decor, bedding, books, toys and small electronics. Most won’t take mattresses, car seats, cribs, large appliances or anything recalled. Check your local store’s list, because it varies.
- Drop off during opening hours. Don’t leave bags outside a closed store or a full donation bin. They get rained on and picked through.
- No broken, stained or torn items. If you wouldn’t buy it, the store can’t sell it.
- Ask for a receipt if you want to claim a tax deduction (see below).
Free pickups
- The Salvation Army picks up furniture and larger donations for free in many areas. Book at satruck.org.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStores take furniture, appliances, cabinets, lighting and building supplies, and many offer free pickup. Check your local ReStore’s list before you book.
- Vietnam Veterans of America picks up clothing and household goods in many areas. Book at pickupplease.org.
- If no charity will take it, your city may collect bulky items. See where to sell furniture if you’d rather try selling it first.
Can I claim a tax deduction?
Only if you itemize deductions on your tax return. If you do, you can usually deduct the fair market value of used clothes and household goods in good condition, which is roughly what a thrift store would sell them for. Keep the receipt, and for donations worth $250 or more get a written acknowledgment from the charity. If your donated goods total more than $500 in a year, you also file Form 8283. Most people take the standard deduction, so there’s no tax benefit. See IRS Publication 526.
Old phones, tablets and laptops
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.
To recycle a phone, most carrier stores and Best Buy take old phones for free, and Call2Recycle drop-off points take phones and rechargeable batteries. Never put phones or batteries in the trash: their batteries can start fires.
Glasses
Many Lions Clubs collect glasses for reuse, with collection boxes at libraries, community centers and some optical stores. Designer frames can be worth selling on eBay or Poshmark first.
Books
- Thrift stores take most books in good condition.
- Many public libraries have Friends of the Library book sales that accept donations. Ask at your branch.
- Little free libraries are happy to have popular fiction and children’s books.
Bedding, towels and pillows
Animal shelters and humane societies often welcome old towels and blankets for bedding. Call first, because their needs change.
Give it away locally
- Buy Nothing groups and Freecycle are free local giveaway groups.
- On Facebook Marketplace, list it as free.
- Arrange a pickup time, and don’t post your full address until you’ve agreed one.
What not to donate
- Medicines: use a drug take-back kiosk at a pharmacy or police station, or a DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
- Batteries: use a Call2Recycle drop-off, found in many hardware and electronics stores.
- Paint and chemicals: take them to your area’s household hazardous waste collection.
- Children’s car seats: charities won’t take them, because nobody can tell if one has been in a crash, and car seats expire. Some stores run car seat trade-in events.
Not sure what to sell and what to give away? The declutter list helps you score everything room by room.