Goodwill

Before you go

• Ask at the register which tag color is on sale this week and which is newest — the sale racks are cheap, the newest racks are where fresh donations land.
• Check garments under good light for stains and test every zipper; most thrift sales are final.
• Bring a tape measure and your key measurements — sizes vary wildly across eras and brands.
• Donating? Use the donation door during posted hours and ask for a receipt — see our Goodwill guide for what this chain accepts.

Donating at Goodwill

Most locations accept clothing, shoes, books and media, housewares, small working electronics, and small furniture at drive-up donation doors during posted hours. Most regions do not take mattresses, cribs and car seats, CRT televisions, chemicals, or large appliances.

What regular thrifters use

Give clothes a first wash before they go in the closet, take price-sticker gunk off at home, and measure before you buy.

• Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

  Goes in the rinse and sanitizes clothes, bedding and soft toys that can’t take hot water or a hot dryer.

  Find it on Amazon →

• Goo Gone adhesive remover

  Takes price-sticker residue off glass, plastic and book covers without scratching them.

  Find it on Amazon →

• GDMINLO retractable soft tape measure

  Checks inseams, chest widths and furniture against your list; label sizes vary by era and brand.

  See it on Amazon →

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