What kind of stuff does the charity shop want/not want?

than4

We are moving overseas and literally EVERYTHING has to go.
So I am sorting through at the moment, trying to work out what the charity shop will want or not want and what can go on freecycle.

I know the charity shop cant take any electrical items, so those are all on freecycle, and I know they will want good quality clothes so all those to the charity.

But what about linen, duvets, towels etc (all clean)? Or kitchen or bric-a-brac items?

Thanks for your help, I just want to send things to the most appropriate place, and not give garbage to the charity that they dont want and have to dump.

Savvy_Sue

It can vary from one shop to another: if you have a choice (and the time!) it would be worth phoning around to see who wants what. Some - the larger ones generally - can take electricals. And some will collect!

One of our local 'chains' has a shop specialising in household stuff rather than clothes, so they would be glad of the linen etc.

Local women's refuges may also be glad of the household stuff, for women arriving with nothing or moving on, and animal charities may be glad of towels, duvets, sheets etc for bedding.

GiveItBack

also some would sell on the twoels / sheets as rags - if you mark them clearly as rags it saves them time.

some shops take electrical items too, so it is worth a quick call to check..

dizzybee

I work for save the children and we take all clothes what ever the condition has what ever we cant sell through the shop we sell to the rag man,same goes for books and eclectics.best to ask the charity shop what they take.

MrsBartolozzi

Any towels, blankets etc might be gladly received by the local dog pound. I know ours is always asking for donations.

Scrumshie

The British Heart Foundation has many Furniture and Electrical stores across the country that can collect all working electrical items from irons and toasters to washing machines and fridges etc.

They also collect beds, suites, dining tables etc. Just make sure any soft furnishing items have a fire label attached. They would appreciate any donations, check website for a store nearest you.

Good luck with the move, it must be exciting and terrifying all at once!!

BexInLondon

A lot of charity shops will take electrical items but only those it's worth testing - so a £5 tesco value sandwich toaster is probably not worth it but a flat-screen TV is!

Door_knockers_will_die

When clearing my mother-in-laws house I was amazed that it was impossible to get rid of anything. Tried many charities - the only one who was able to send someone out had over a weeks waiting list (which meant an extra weeks rent being paid) but they promised to clear everything. This was a small Rotherham charity. They sent three rough looking lads and a van and they refused to take anything without being paid. A phone call to the charity just resulted in abuse.
Adverts we placed in shops offering any item £10 or less just resulted in the TV going for a bargain. Even the local council promising that their refuse contractors would take 10 items left outside was a farce. - Two single beds were 6 items (two headboards, two mattresses, two bases). The suggestion of a bonfire brought the threat of a £1000 fine.
In this throw away age, no one wants anything !