Many people have items in their house they do not want anymore. Some have items that are in great condition! Others have items that are in decent condition, but not everyone would want. And others have items they know are on their last leg and just need to be hauled away. Aside from the last category, most would like to see their old belongings go to a new home instead of just being thrown away. With this being said, donation centers usually have fairly strict ‘we do not take’ lists. Some have been inundated with donations and will turn down items just based on them not being in ‘like new’ condition. This article should help you figure out what items can be donated.
Items That Can Be Donated
Clothing
From adult to infant, clothing is one of the most common types of donation. Local donation centers almost always take clothing. Make sure any clothes that are donated are free of stains & odors, and aren’t stretched out.
Furniture
Furniture is another common donation item. Mobile donation sites like GreenDrop typically do not take these items however. This is because they operate with a limited amount of space and furniture can take up a lot of space. Donation centers with brick and mortar buildings do usually accept furniture donations. With this being said, they typically only take common household items and not bulky items. This includes large entertainment centers, office furniture, and china cabinets. Also, furniture that is noticeably scratched or discolored is often turned down even if it’s in great condition otherwise!
Toys
This is one of our favorite donation item! The joy a toy can bring to a child is worth its weight in gold. Most donation centers will always take toys. Especially with toddlers toys, make sure they have a thorough cleaning before donating.
Household Goods
Household goods ranging from kitchen utensils to decorations are usually accepted by donation centers.
Items That Can’t Be Donated
For various reasons donation centers will not accept the following items:
- Mattresses
- Sleeper sofas
- Non-flatscreen TVs
- Air conditioners
- Building materials
- Baby furniture (including cribs)
- Cosmetics
- Cleaning products
- Firearms/weapons
- Bulky furniture
- Appliances
- Tires
Where to Donate
Goodwill
GreenDrop
Local Charity (such as Community Warehouse Project)
Salvation Army
Local Church/Religious Establishment
How To Deliver Donation Items
If you have donation items, typically you can go directly to donation centers to drop them off. It is important to call to make sure that specific donation center is accommodating drive in donations. For larger items, you will probably need to rent a truck to bring them to the donation center. Most places do not pick up items from your home anymore.
If you are looking for a paid service to donate your items however, junk removal companies are a great way to have all your items taken at once for one flat fee! Feel free to click the link below to get a free estimate on picking up your donation items!
