How to Donate to Thrift Stores: What They Take, What They Don’t
Donating to a thrift store feels simple: bag it, drop it, done. But sorting rooms run on seconds per item and razor-thin budgets, and roughly a fifth to a third of what arrives at a typical charity thrift never reaches the sales floor. Some of that is unsellable; a lot of it is well-meant but wrong for the store that received it.
This guide covers what almost every thrift store will take, what almost none can, where specific categories of items do the most good, and the mechanics of drop-off, pickup, and receipts. Rules vary by chain and even by location, so when something is borderline, the store’s page in our directory and a two-minute phone call settle it.
What most thrift stores accept
Nearly every charity thrift store — Goodwill, The Salvation Army Family Stores, St. Vincent de Paul, Deseret Industries, and the thousands of local church, hospice, and animal-rescue shops — wants the same core categories: clean clothing and shoes, books and media, kitchenware, small household goods, linens, toys, and small working electronics. If it is clean, complete, works, and another person would realistically pay a few dollars for it, it is a good donation.
Furniture is welcome at stores with the floor space and, usually, a truck; small shops in strip malls often cannot take it at all. Call before you load a sofa.
Almost always welcome
- Clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories that are clean and free of stains, tears, and pet hair.
- Books, DVDs, CDs, and video games — recent and in good condition; encyclopedias and old textbooks usually are not wanted.
- Kitchenware: pots, pans, dishes, glassware, small appliances that work.
- Home décor, lamps with working cords, picture frames, and linens that are clean and complete.
- Toys and games with all their pieces, puzzles that are sealed or counted, sports equipment in usable shape.
- Small electronics that power on — speakers, DVD players, working phones and tablets wiped of your data.
What stores usually refuse
Refusals come from three places: safety law, disposal cost, and floor space. Mattresses are restricted for resale in many states, so most stores won’t take them. Cribs and car seats carry recall and expiration liability. Big appliances and CRT televisions cost money to dispose of when they don’t sell. Exercise machines and entertainment centers eat floor space that turns over slowly.
Every refused item that arrives anyway becomes the charity’s disposal bill. A bad donation is not neutral — it costs the mission money.
Commonly refused (verify locally)
- Mattresses and box springs.
- Cribs, car seats, strollers with recalls, and other regulated baby gear.
- Large appliances, CRT televisions, and broken electronics.
- Paint, chemicals, propane tanks, tires, and anything hazardous.
- Anything with pest damage, mold, smoke saturation, or strong odor.
- Used cosmetics, underwear, and opened personal-care items.
- Weapons, ammunition, and recalled products of any kind.
Where specific items do the most good
General thrift stores take a little of everything, but some categories have specialized homes where they sell better, get used directly, or are the only place that will accept them.
| Item | Best destination | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Building materials, cabinets, doors, tools | Habitat for Humanity ReStore | The only national thrift that wants them; proceeds fund home building. |
| Sofas, tables, working appliances | Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, furniture banks | They run trucks and have the floor space; furniture banks give pieces directly to families. |
| Professional and interview clothing | Dress for Success and local job-readiness charities | Used directly by people entering the workforce rather than resold. |
| Kids’ clothing and gear in current styles | Once Upon A Child, Kid to Kid, or a charity thrift | Buy-sell chains pay you; charities pass them on cheaply to families. |
| Books | Friends of the Library sales, then thrift stores | Library sales fund your local branch and know how to price books. |
| Eyeglasses | Lions Clubs collection boxes | Refurbished and distributed through vision programs. |
| Formal dresses and suits | Prom-closet and community-closet programs | Given free to students who need them. |
How drop-off works
Most stores have a marked donation door or a drive-up lane, staffed during posted donation hours that typically end an hour or two before the store closes. Pull up, hand over the items, and ask for a receipt if you want one. Volunteer-run shops may only accept donations on certain days because they lack sorting space, so check the store page first.
Never leave donations outside a closed store. In most cities that is illegal dumping, and items left overnight get rained on, picked through, and discarded — nobody benefits.
How pickup works
For furniture and large loads, several national charities run free scheduled pickup: The Salvation Army through its donation website and phone line, many St. Vincent de Paul councils, most Habitat ReStores for furniture and appliances, and regional players in their own territories. Calendars fill one to three weeks out in busy metros, so book early. Drivers refuse items with rips, stains, odors, or pest evidence at the door, so be honest on the booking form.
Our furniture-pickup guide covers who picks up, how scheduling works, and what to do when a truck can’t come in time.
Getting a receipt
Donations to registered 501(c)(3) charities are tax-deductible if you itemize. Ask for a receipt at drop-off or pickup — it will usually be blank, because you, not the store, assign the value. Record what you gave while you still remember, photograph the load, and use the charities’ published valuation guides or our donation value calculator to estimate fair market value. Totals over $500 in non-cash gifts in a year require IRS Form 8283.
For-profit resale shops — consignment stores and buy-sell-trade chains — do not issue donation receipts. They pay you instead, in cash or store credit, and that is a sale rather than a gift.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drop donations off after hours?
No. Leaving items outside a closed donation door is treated as illegal dumping in most cities, and anything left overnight is usually damaged or discarded. Donation hours are posted at the door and often end before the store closes.
Do thrift stores take furniture?
Larger charity stores with trucks and floor space do; small strip-mall shops usually cannot. Call the specific location, or book a pickup with The Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, or a Habitat ReStore for large pieces.
Will they take electronics?
Small electronics that power on are widely accepted. CRT televisions, printers, and broken devices are usually refused because disposal costs money. Wipe personal data from phones, tablets, and computers before donating.
Is my thrift store donation tax-deductible?
Yes, if the store is run by a registered charity and you itemize deductions. Get a receipt, keep an itemized list with estimated fair market values, and file Form 8283 if your non-cash donations exceed $500 for the year.
Put this guide to work
Every store in our directory lists hours, directions, and what else is nearby. Find stores near you or browse by state.