Where to Donate All the Home Goods You've Been Dutifully Cleaning Out

Welcome to Spring Clean Your Life, your one-stop shop for gotta-try-those tips & bookmark-me inspiration to spruce up your kitchen and home this season—and well beyond.

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Has the start of the new year inspired you to tackle a home decluttering project? Whether you've actually managed to start (using the tenets of Marie Kondo or the latest in Swedish "death cleaning") or still trying to find the inspiration, you'll eventually want some help offloading the excess.

But wait—don’t just toss all of your unwanted belongings in the trash just yet. A lot of the items that have accumulated in your home are probably still in good shape and could be used by someone else, which is why you should make regular trips to donation centers part of your decluttering routine.

Not sure what can be donated and where it can go? Here’s a handy list of the organizations that will take your appliances, home goods, electronics, and more.

Kitchen Appliances

Have a slow cooker that you never use? Is there an old microwave just sitting in your basement? There are actually a number of charities that will accept appliance donations, including bigger items like stoves, washers and dryer, refrigerators, and more.

• Habitat for Humanity Restores: You can donate new or gently used appliances to Habitat for Humanity Restores, and they can usually arrange pickup service for large items. They also accept things like light fixtures, lumber, toilets, bathtubs, and much more.
• Salvation Army: This popular organization will take working appliances off your hands, and again, you can schedule a pickup so you don’t have to move them yourself.
• Goodwill Industries: Most Goodwill stores will pick up working appliances that are in good condition, but it’s best to call them ahead of time to see if there are any restrictions on the items.
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul: This nonprofit has thrift stores in many states, and you can contact your local chapter to arrange an appliance pickup.
• Vietnam Veterans of America: You can donate small appliances to this veteran-focused organization, but it’s not available in every state.

Furniture

Let someone else enjoy that dining room furniture that’s been sitting in your attic. Many charities, including the ones listed above, will accept furniture donations, but most stipulate that the items must be in good condition with no tears, stains, or pet damage.

A few additional organizations that will accept furniture include:

• Furniture Banks Association: Find local charities that accept furniture donations through this website. Some of the organizations also accept appliances, housewares, electronics, and more.
• GreenDrop: This organization, which works with a number of well-known charities, will pick up furniture that weighs less than 50 pounds.
• Savers: You can drop off small furniture items at your local Savers.

Kitchen and Tableware

What about that extra set of plates you never seem to use? Or your least favorite kitchen pan? Again, the majority of organizations listed above will accept kitchen and tableware, as long as it’s in good shape.

Additionally, you can donate these items to Big Brothers Big Sisters, which accepts bakeware, pots, pans, tableware, kitchen tools, and more.

Electronics

Old cell phones, laptops, TVs, and computers can generally be donated to electronic stores—some of which even offer a discount in return!

• Apple: Recycle your old iPhones, iPads, Macbooks, and more for in-store credit.
• Staples: The majority of their retail stores accept recycled electronics of any brand and in any condition.
• Best Buy: This retailer has both a trade-in program, as well as a recycling program that accepts many electronics for free.
• TakeBackElectronics.com: This website only serves certain states, but if your location is applicable, they’ll send you a box for electronics and ship them to a recycling center for free.

Additionally, there are other charitable organizations that will accept unwanted cell phones:

• National Network to End Domestic Violence: You can donate old cell phones from any service provider to this organization, which will then refurbish or recycle them.
• Operation Gratitude: This organization works with GRC Wireless to recycle phones and provide care packages for troops.
• Cell Phones for Soldiers: Donate cell phones of any make, model or condition—cracked screens, included!

Books

Are your bookcases overflowing? Some public libraries will accept book donations, so you may want to reach out to your local branch first.

If that’s a no-go, the following organizations will happily accept the books you’re clearing out:

• Better World Books: There are book drop boxes located around the country, or you can also ship your books to them.
• Books for Soldiers: This unique organization allows you to donate your books directly to deployed soldiers.
• Books for Africa: Send your unwanted books to African students to help improve literacy.
• Books 4 Cause: You can donate books to this organization if you’re located in New York City, Chicago, or on a college campus. They accept DVDs and CDs, too.

Still Not Sure Where to Donate?

If you’re still not certain where to donate home goods in your area, visit DonationTown. All you have to do is put in your ZIP code and the website will give you a list of local charities and let you schedule a pickup. Easy!

UPDATED (as of February 26, 2018): Operation Homefront is no longer accepting donations of furniture.

Where do you donate your well-loved home goods? Share your favorite resources with us below.