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Will they take it?

Quick answers for the things donation centers turn away most: mattresses, cribs, car seats, old TVs, worn couches, paint, medicine and more. Rules vary by location, so a quick call before you load the car is always worth it.

Usually no

Mattresses and box springs

Habitat ReStores say mattresses and box springs are not accepted, and many Goodwill and Salvation Army stores list them as items they cannot take. The Salvation Army's national pickup site lists mattresses as accepted, so policies differ by location.

Who might take it:
  • Some Salvation Army locations (call 1-800-SA-TRUCK first)
  • Some Goodwill pickup partners, where the partner accepts them
Better options:
  • Mattress retailer haul-away when buying a new one
  • Bye Bye Mattress recycling sites in CA, CT, OR and RI
  • City or county bulky-item or recycling collection

See where to donate mattresses and box springs near you →

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Usually no

Cribs

Most thrift stores refuse cribs because of safety standards and recalls. CPSC says consumers should not resell, donate or give away a crib that does not meet the federal crib standard, including drop-side cribs.

Better options:
  • Give or sell a newer crib that meets the current federal standard only after checking it for recalls
  • CPSC recommends taking an old crib apart before discarding it

Safety: Never pass on a drop-side crib or a crib that does not meet the current federal crib standard.

See where to donate cribs near you →

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Usually no

Car seats

Goodwill, Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul stores commonly refuse car seats. Safety groups say a used seat is only safe if its full crash history is known and it is not expired or recalled, which a store cannot verify.

Better options:
  • Retailer car seat trade-in events that recycle old seats (for example, Target's periodic events)
  • Pass a seat directly to someone you know only if you know its full history

Safety: Do not reuse a car seat that has been in a crash, is expired, is recalled or is missing its labels.

See where to donate car seats near you →

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Usually no

Strollers and high chairs

Several Goodwill and Salvation Army locations list strollers, high chairs and other baby gear as items they cannot accept, largely because of recall and safety concerns. Rules vary, so a call can confirm.

Better options:
  • Sell or give locally after checking for recalls at cpsc.gov
  • Ask local family-support or children's charities if they take baby gear

Safety: Check for recalls and missing parts first; CPSC warns against passing on broken or recalled infant products.

See where to donate strollers and high chairs near you →

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Usually no

Old tube (CRT) TVs

Goodwill, Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul pages commonly exclude tube, console and projection TVs. Habitat ReStores and others that take TVs generally want newer sets.

Better options:
  • Electronics recycling at a certified recycler (R2 or e-Stewards)
  • Best Buy store recycling (limits apply; CT and PA stores do not take TVs)

See where to donate old tube (crt) tvs near you →

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Sometimes - call first

Flat-screen TVs

Some stores take working flat screens, but many set limits: Habitat ReStores, St. Vincent de Paul St. Louis and the Salvation Army want TVs less than about 5 years old, and some Goodwills and ReStores take no TVs at all.

Who might take it:
  • Some Goodwill stores (working flat screens)
  • Habitat ReStores (under 5 years old)
  • Salvation Army (working, newer sets)
Better options:
  • Sell or give locally
  • Best Buy store recycling (limits apply; CT and PA stores do not take TVs)
  • Certified electronics recycler

See where to donate flat-screen tvs near you →

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Sometimes - call first

Upholstered furniture (couches, recliners, sleeper sofas)

Clean, sturdy sofas and chairs are often welcome, but stores widely refuse pieces with rips, stains, odors or pet hair, and many also turn down sleeper sofas, hide-a-beds or recliners. Some Goodwills take no large furniture at all.

Who might take it:
  • Salvation Army (unbroken furniture without rips, stains or odors)
  • Habitat ReStores (gently used; some require a photo)
  • St. Vincent de Paul stores (no sleeper sofas at some)
Better options:
  • Furniture pickup services that pass items to nonprofits (some Goodwills refer donors to these)
  • Local furniture banks
  • City bulky-item pickup for torn or stained pieces

See where to donate upholstered furniture (couches, recliners, sleeper sofas) near you →

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Sometimes - call first

Large appliances (fridges, washers, stoves)

Habitat ReStores and St. Vincent de Paul St. Louis take working appliances generally under 10 years old, and Salvation Army takes working, non-built-in units. Many Goodwills, and some Salvation Army centers, take no large appliances.

Who might take it:
  • Habitat ReStores (working, under 10 years old)
  • Salvation Army (working, not built-in, no gas)
  • St. Vincent de Paul St. Louis (clean, electric, under 10 years)
Better options:
  • Utility fridge and freezer recycling programs (some pay cash or bill credits)
  • Retailer haul-away when buying new
  • City heavy-trash pickup or scrap metal recycler

Safety: Refrigerants must be removed by a qualified recycler before a fridge or freezer is scrapped.

See where to donate large appliances (fridges, washers, stoves) near you →

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Usually no

Paint and household chemicals

Goodwill, Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul stores do not accept paint or chemicals. A few Habitat ReStores take unopened or labeled latex paint in limited amounts, while others refuse it.

Who might take it:
  • Some Habitat ReStores (labeled paint, limited amounts; call first)
Better options:
  • PaintCare drop-off sites in participating states, some with paint reuse programs
  • Local household hazardous waste (HHW) collection sites or events

Safety: Keep products in their original labeled containers and never pour them down drains or into the trash.

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Usually no

Medications

Thrift stores do not take medicines. The FDA says a drug take-back program is the best way to get rid of most unused or expired medicines.

Who might take it:
  • State drug donation (repository) programs in some states, for sealed, unexpired medicines
Better options:
  • DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events
  • Year-round pharmacy, hospital or police drop boxes
  • Prepaid mail-back envelopes

Safety: If no take-back option is available, follow FDA's trash or flush-list instructions rather than flushing medicines that are not on the list.

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Usually no

Used underwear and socks

Shelters and outreach groups commonly ask for new, unused socks and underwear rather than used ones. Thrift store clothing rules vary, so check locally before donating used items.

Who might take it:
  • Shelters and outreach programs (new, unused items)
Better options:
  • Donate new socks and underwear to shelters
  • Textile recycling where offered

See where to donate used underwear and socks near you →

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Usually no

Opened cosmetics and personal care products

Several Goodwills list personal care items, fragrances or liquids as not accepted, and shelters generally ask for new toiletries. The FDA warns that sharing makeup can spread infection.

Who might take it:
  • Shelters (new, full-size toiletries)
Better options:
  • Donate new, unopened toiletries to shelters
  • Finish or discard opened products
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Sometimes - call first

Exercise equipment

Policies vary widely: St. Vincent de Paul St. Louis takes most exercise equipment, some Goodwills take only small items like dumbbells, and others, along with some Habitat ReStores, take none.

Who might take it:
  • St. Vincent de Paul St. Louis (most types)
  • Some Goodwill stores (small items such as dumbbells and yoga mats)
Better options:
  • Sell or give locally
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Usually no

Pianos

Many Goodwill and St. Vincent de Paul stores list pianos and organs as items they cannot accept. Some Goodwills route large items like pianos through pickup partners.

Who might take it:
  • Some Goodwill pickup partners
  • Schools, churches or music programs (call first)
Better options:
  • Have a piano technician assess it before selling or donating
  • Sell to a dealer or individual
  • Piano mover or junk removal for disposal or recycling
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Usually no

Firearms and ammunition

Goodwill, Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul stores do not accept guns or ammunition.

Better options:
  • Local police turn-in or surrender programs (call ahead)

Safety: Call the police department before bringing a firearm in, and follow its instructions for transport.

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Usually no

Tires

Goodwill, Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul stores list tires and auto parts as items they cannot accept.

Better options:
  • Leave old tires with the shop when buying new ones
  • Ask your local transfer station or recycling hotline

Safety: Illegal tire dumping can bring fines in many states.

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Usually yes

Computers (with personal data)

Many Goodwill stores accept computers of any brand and condition through Dell Reconnect, and other thrift stores take working computers. Donors are responsible for wiping their own data first.

Who might take it:
  • Goodwill stores in the Dell Reconnect program (any brand, any condition)
  • Salvation Army (computers)
Better options:
  • Certified electronics recyclers (R2 or e-Stewards)
  • Manufacturer or retailer recycling programs

Safety: Back up your files and erase the drive before you donate; Dell says donors are responsible for their own data.

See where to donate computers (with personal data) near you →

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Usually yes

Stuffed animals

Several Goodwills list stuffed animals among the toys they accept, as long as they are clean and in good shape. Rules vary by store.

Who might take it:
  • Goodwill stores (clean toys)
  • Other thrift stores that take toys
Better options:
  • Give locally to friends, family or community groups

See where to donate stuffed animals near you →

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Usually no

Encyclopedias and textbooks

Several St. Vincent de Paul stores, an Ohio Valley Goodwill list and many library book sales refuse encyclopedias, and some libraries also refuse textbooks. General thrift stores often take ordinary books.

Who might take it:
  • Some Goodwill stores (books in general)
Better options:
  • Sell or give locally
  • Recycle paperbacks; many programs do not take hardcovers

See where to donate encyclopedias and textbooks near you →

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Usually yes

Holiday decor

Many Goodwills and some Habitat ReStores take holiday decorations and artificial trees year-round, then sell them in season. A few stores refuse out-of-season items or home decor, so check first.

Who might take it:
  • Goodwill stores (year-round)
  • Some Habitat ReStores (trees, lights, ornaments)
Better options:
  • Give locally
  • Ask local churches or community groups
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Sometimes - call first

Baby food and formula

Thrift stores do not take food. Food banks and shelters may accept sealed, unopened formula and baby food that is not past its use-by date, so call ahead.

Who might take it:
  • Food banks and pantries (sealed, unopened, within date)
  • Shelters that list formula as a need
Better options:
  • Ask local food pantries or family-support programs

Safety: Do not donate formula or baby food that is opened or past its use-by date.

See where to donate baby food and formula near you →

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Based on the published rules of Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStores, St. Vincent de Paul and federal safety agencies. Each local store sets its own rules.