Charity shops: what they'll take
Charity shops want clean things in good condition that someone would be happy to buy. Most take:
- clothes, shoes, bags and accessories
- books, DVDs, CDs, vinyl and games
- toys, jigsaws and board games
- homeware, ornaments, pictures and kitchenware
Most won't take used duvets and pillows, prescription glasses, children's car seats or anything broken, stained or with missing parts. Some take small electricals, but many don't, so ask first.
- Sign up for Gift Aid at the till if you pay UK tax. The charity can then claim an extra 25% on what your things sell for. It only applies to things that belong to you.
- Go on a weekday if you can. Shops are often full after weekends and bank holidays.
- Don't leave bags outside a closed shop. They often get rained on or picked through, and many councils treat it as fly-tipping.
Free furniture collection
The British Heart Foundation collects furniture and electricals for free. Enter your postcode to check it covers your area, fill in the form, and your local store will be in touch to agree a date. You'll need to be in when they come.
- Check the fire safety label. Sofas, armchairs, mattresses and padded chairs need their label still attached. Without it, charities can't legally sell them.
- It needs to be in good condition: no rips, stains or strong smells, with all its parts, and electricals must work.
- Try local charities too. Many hospices and furniture reuse charities collect for free. Search for "furniture reuse charity" and your town.
If no charity will take it, your council can collect bulky items, usually for a fee. See where to sell furniture if you'd rather try selling it first.
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 and any memory card. The phones page shows how.
- To donate a working smartphone: Community Calling, run by the charity Hubbub with Virgin Media O2, gives donated phones to people who need one. The phones are securely wiped before they're passed on. Check the eligible models on its site.
- Broken or very old devices: recycle them. Recycle Your Electricals finds your nearest drop-off point by postcode, and many shops that sell electricals will take old ones back.
- Never put them in the household bin. Their batteries can start fires in bin lorries.
Glasses
Charity shops can't sell prescription glasses, but they can still be reused or recycled.
- Opticians: many Specsavers branches and Asda opticians have a collection box for old glasses. Not every branch does, so ring first.
- Lions Clubs: many local Lions Clubs collect glasses to be reused abroad. Contact your local club before sending any.
- Designer frames can be worth selling. Try eBay or Vinted.
Books
Before you donate a box of books, scan the barcodes on an instant-sell site. It takes a few minutes, and it's free (see selling books, DVDs and games). Whatever they won't buy:
- Charity shops take most books in good condition. Oxfam has bookshops in many towns.
- Community book swaps and little free libraries are happy to have popular fiction and children's books.
- Schools, care homes and hospitals sometimes want books, but always ask first.
- Damaged books and old textbooks can go in paper recycling. Remove hard covers first if your council asks you to.
Bedding, towels and pillows
Some charity shops take clean sheets, blankets and curtains in good condition. Most won't take used duvets or pillows.
- Animal rescue centres often welcome old towels, blankets and duvets for bedding. Ring your local dog or cat rescue first, because their needs change.
- Worn-out bedding: check your council's website. Some recycling centres take textiles, but duvets and pillows usually go in general waste.
Give it away locally
For anything that's still usable but that a charity won't take, offer it free to someone nearby:
- Freegle and Freecycle are free local giveaway groups.
- On Facebook Marketplace, list it with a price of £0.
Arrange a collection time, and don't post your full address until you've agreed one.
What not to donate
- Medicines: take them back to a pharmacy.
- Batteries, paint and chemicals: take them to your council recycling centre.
- Children's car seats: charities won't take them, because nobody can tell if one has been in an accident.
Not sure what to sell and what to give away? The declutter list helps you score everything room by room.