Best Charity by Item Type
| Item | Best Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing & shoes | Goodwill or Salvation Army | Both accept; Goodwill typically has more drop-off locations |
| Furniture (small pieces) | Goodwill or Salvation Army | Must be free of major tears or stains |
| Furniture (large pieces) | Salvation Army | Free pickup in many areas via 1-800-SA-TRUCK |
| Large appliances (working) | Habitat ReStore or Salvation Army | Salvation Army policies vary by location; call ahead |
| Small appliances | Goodwill or Salvation Army | Must be in working condition at most locations |
| Building materials & lumber | Habitat ReStore only | No other major charity accepts these |
| Tools (hand and power) | Habitat ReStore or Salvation Army | ReStore preferred for larger tool collections |
| Electronics (computers, phones) | Goodwill (most locations) | Flat-screen TVs accepted; older tube TVs typically not |
| Books | Goodwill | Salvation Army also accepts; no encyclopedias |
| Musical instruments | Salvation Army or Goodwill | Salvation Army music programs actively use instruments |
| Vehicles (cars, trucks) | Salvation Army | Issues IRS Form 1098-C required for deductions over $500 |
| Toys and games | Goodwill or Salvation Army | No recalled items; check CPSC list at cpsc.gov |
| Jewelry and accessories | Goodwill or Salvation Army | High-value items may qualify for a professional appraisal |
| Sporting goods | Goodwill | Salvation Army also accepts most items |
| Mattresses | Some Salvation Army locations | Most Goodwill locations and ReStore refuse them; call first |
| Car seats | None | Safety concern; no major charity accepts these |
| Paint and chemicals | None | Hazardous materials; use local HHW disposal programs |
Goodwill Industries
Goodwill operates more than 3,300 retail stores across the United States and Canada through a network of independent local chapters. Because each chapter is independently operated, acceptance policies can vary by location — the list below reflects the most common nationwide policies, but always call your local store to confirm. For a fuller category-by-category list, including where regional rules differ, see what Goodwill accepts and does not accept.
What Goodwill Accepts
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories (all sizes and seasons)
- Furniture — sofas, chairs, tables, dressers, bookshelves (must be structurally sound and free of major tears, stains, or odors)
- Household items — dishes, cookware, linens, lamps, small appliances in working condition
- Electronics — flat-screen TVs, computers, phones, gaming consoles, audio equipment
- Books (excluding encyclopedias and outdated reference sets)
- Toys and games (no recalled items; must have all major pieces)
- Sporting goods
- Jewelry and accessories
- Musical instruments
- Seasonal items and holiday décor
What Goodwill Does NOT Accept
- Large appliances — refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers (most locations)
- Mattresses and box springs — refused at nearly all locations due to hygiene concerns
- Car seats and booster seats — safety concern; may have been in an accident
- Drop-side cribs — banned by CPSC since 2011; not accepted anywhere
- Hazardous materials — paint, solvents, chemicals, pesticides, propane tanks
- Recalled items — any product on the CPSC recall list
- Tube televisions — CRT and projection TVs not accepted at most locations
- Encyclopedias — no market demand; typically not accepted
- VHS and cassette tapes — most locations no longer accept these
- Exercise equipment with moving parts — treadmills, ellipticals (varies by location; call first)
- Upholstered furniture with visible tears, stains, or structural damage
Goodwill Tax Documentation
Goodwill is a 501(c)(3) organization, making donations tax-deductible at fair market value. Goodwill staff will provide a written receipt at the time of donation listing a general description of items. The receipt does not assign dollar values — that is the donor’s responsibility. For any single donation of $250 or more, this written acknowledgment is required by IRS rules. Bring a detailed inventory of your items for your own records. For item-by-item fair market values, see our Goodwill donation value guide.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is one of the largest charitable organizations in the United States, operating thrift stores and social service programs in thousands of communities. The Salvation Army generally has a broader acceptance policy than Goodwill and is often the better choice for large, heavy items because of its free pickup service.
What the Salvation Army Accepts
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories
- Furniture — including large sectional sofas, dining sets, bedroom furniture
- Large appliances — vary by location: the national FAQ lists working washers, dryers and air conditioners that are not built in, but some Adult Rehabilitation Center commands refuse refrigerators and air conditioners, so call first
- Small appliances in working condition
- Electronics — televisions, stereos, computers
- Tools — both hand tools and power tools
- Musical instruments
- Household items — dishes, cookware, linens, décor
- Books and media
- Vehicles — cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, RVs (issues IRS Form 1098-C)
- Sporting goods
What the Salvation Army Does NOT Accept
- Car seats — safety concern; not accepted
- Drop-side cribs — CPSC-banned; not accepted
- Recalled items — check cpsc.gov before donating
- Hazardous materials — paint, chemicals, propane tanks, pesticides
- Items in poor condition — heavily damaged, broken, or non-functional items
Free Pickup Service
The Salvation Army offers free large-item pickup in many U.S. communities. Schedule a pickup at satruck.org or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825). The Salvation Army says pickup availability and scheduling vary by community, based on transportation capacity, staffing and local demand, so book early; satruck.org shows a calendar of open dates for your zip code. Items must be accessible (ground floor or items that can be carried to a truck) and in good, usable condition.
Salvation Army Tax Documentation
The Salvation Army is a 501(c)(3) organization. The Salvation Army says receipts for drop-off donations are handed out when you drop off, and that a receipt for a scheduled pickup is emailed after the pickup. It does not set a value on your donation; assigning the fair market value is up to you. For where to get a receipt, what it must show and the right tax ID (EIN), see our Salvation Army donation receipt guide. For vehicle donations, the Salvation Army issues IRS Form 1098-C, which is required to claim a deduction over $500 for a vehicle. Your deduction for a donated vehicle is generally limited to the gross proceeds from the sale of the vehicle by the charity. For item-by-item fair market values for everything else on the truck, see the Salvation Army donation value guide.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations are nonprofit home improvement stores that sell donated building materials, appliances, and furniture to the public at discounted prices. Proceeds fund Habitat for Humanity’s affordable housing construction programs. ReStore is the only major national charity that accepts building materials and home-improvement supplies — making it the correct destination for items that Goodwill and the Salvation Army will not take.
What Habitat ReStore Accepts
- Building materials — lumber, drywall, flooring (hardwood, tile, laminate), roofing materials
- Cabinets and countertops — kitchen and bathroom cabinets, countertops in good condition
- Doors and windows — interior and exterior doors, windows, sliding glass doors
- Plumbing fixtures — sinks, faucets, toilets, bathtubs (in good condition)
- Lighting fixtures
- Working appliances — refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, microwaves (must be in working order)
- Furniture — sofas, chairs, tables, dressers (in good condition)
- Tools — hand tools, power tools, garden tools
- Home décor — artwork, mirrors, rugs, curtains
What Habitat ReStore Does NOT Accept
- Clothing and shoes — not accepted at any ReStore location
- Mattresses — not accepted
- Consumer electronics — most locations do not accept TVs, computers, or phones
- Hazardous materials — paint, stains, chemicals (check for local paint recycling programs)
- Items not in working or usable condition — ReStore’s working-condition requirement is more strictly enforced than at Goodwill or the Salvation Army; a broken appliance or water-damaged lumber will be declined
- Car seats and cribs
Working Condition Requirement
ReStore’s standard is stricter than most thrift charities. All donated items must be in working order or otherwise immediately usable. A non-functional appliance, a broken cabinet, or lumber with significant rot will not be accepted. Test appliances before bringing them. ReStore staff may inspect items at drop-off and decline donations that don’t meet the condition standard.
Habitat ReStore Tax Documentation
Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donors receive a receipt documenting the donation for tax purposes. As with other non-cash donations, the donor is responsible for determining and documenting fair market value. Items with a claimed value over $500 require IRS Form 8283; items over $5,000 require a qualified appraisal.
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) operates thrift stores and social service programs primarily in the Midwest, South, and West. SVdP accepts clothing, furniture, household items, electronics, and vehicles — with an acceptance policy similar to the Salvation Army. Free furniture pickup is available in many SVdP service areas. SVdP is particularly strong in cities where Salvation Army coverage is limited. Find a local conference at svdpusa.org.
What No Major Charity Will Accept
Regardless of which charity you choose, the following categories are universally rejected by Goodwill, the Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, and virtually every other donation organization:
| Item | Reason |
|---|---|
| Recalled products | Safety liability; check cpsc.gov before donating anything |
| Car seats and booster seats | May have been in an accident; internal damage is invisible |
| Drop-side cribs | CPSC banned drop-side crib manufacture and sale in 2011 |
| Hazardous materials | Paint, solvents, pesticides, propane, pool chemicals |
| Broken or non-functional items | Creates disposal cost for the charity |
| Items without resale value | Encyclopedias (pre-2000), VHS tapes, obsolete media |
Mattresses and box springs are not on this list because policies differ. Most Goodwill locations and Habitat ReStore refuse them, but the Salvation Army varies by location: its national FAQ lists mattresses and the Central Ohio Salvation Army takes mattresses and box springs, while its Southern and Western Adult Rehabilitation Center commands refuse them.
For hazardous household materials (paint, chemicals), use your municipality’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program — most counties offer free drop-off days. For car seats, check for manufacturer take-back programs or retailer recycling events (Target and Walmart have periodically run car seat trade-in events).
How to Document Donations for Taxes
Donating to any of these charities can reduce your tax liability — but only if you document properly.
The $250 rule: For any single donation of $250 or more (cash or non-cash), the IRS requires a contemporaneous written acknowledgment from the charity, in hand by the earlier of the date you file your return or its due date, including extensions. It must name the charity, describe the items donated, and state whether you received any goods or services in return (and if you did, describe them and give a good-faith estimate of their value). See IRS Publication 526 for the full requirements.
Fair market value: The charity’s receipt does not assign a dollar value to donated goods — that’s your responsibility. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay for the item in its current condition at a thrift store. Condition matters: a good-condition shirt and a worn-condition shirt have different values. The IRS requires items to be in good used condition or better to be deductible.
Form 8283: If your total non-cash charitable donations for the year exceed $500, you must file IRS Form 8283 with your tax return. Items or groups of similar items valued over $5,000 require a qualified appraisal.
Keeping records: Photograph your donations before drop-off and keep a detailed inventory with item descriptions, conditions, and estimated values. A dedicated donation tracking app makes this significantly easier — DeductAble lets you photograph items, log donations to specific charities, matches items to catalog fair market values you review and approve, and generates a complete report at tax time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between donating to Goodwill vs the Salvation Army?
Goodwill and the Salvation Army both accept clothing, shoes, furniture, and household items, but the Salvation Army offers free large-item pickup in many areas by calling 1-800-SA-TRUCK, and some Salvation Army locations accept working large appliances. Those policies vary: the national satruck.org FAQ lists washers, dryers and air conditioners, while the Southern and Western Adult Rehabilitation Center commands refuse refrigerators and air conditioners. Goodwill typically declines large appliances and upholstered furniture with visible tears or stains. For vehicles, the Salvation Army issues IRS Form 1098-C directly; Goodwill store locations do not accept vehicle drop-offs, though Goodwill operates a separate vehicle donation program (Goodwill Car Donations) that functions independently from its retail stores. Both are 501(c)(3) organizations that provide written receipts for tax purposes.
Does Goodwill accept large appliances?
Most Goodwill locations do not accept large appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, or dishwashers. Policies vary by local chapter, so it is worth calling your nearest Goodwill store before bringing large items. For large appliances in working condition, Habitat for Humanity ReStore and some Salvation Army locations are generally better options. Call first, because Salvation Army policies vary by location. Habitat ReStore sells working appliances to fund affordable housing construction.
Does the Salvation Army pick up furniture for free?
Yes — the Salvation Army offers free large-item pickup in many areas of the United States. You can schedule a pickup online at satruck.org or by calling 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825). Pickup availability depends on your location and the current demand in your area. Items must be in good, usable condition; the Salvation Army may decline items that are broken, heavily stained, or structurally unsound. Schedule pickups at least a few days in advance, as slots fill quickly in urban areas.
What does Habitat for Humanity ReStore accept?
Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations accept furniture, working appliances, building materials (lumber, drywall, flooring, cabinets, doors, windows), plumbing fixtures, lighting, tools, and home décor. ReStore is the only major donation charity that accepts building materials and home-improvement supplies. All items must be in working or usable condition — this requirement is more strictly enforced than at Goodwill or the Salvation Army. ReStore does not accept clothing, shoes, mattresses, or most consumer electronics. Find your nearest location at habitat.org/restores.
Where should I donate building materials and lumber?
Habitat for Humanity ReStore is the only major nationwide charity that accepts building materials including lumber, drywall, flooring, cabinets, doors, windows, plumbing fixtures, and lighting. Goodwill and the Salvation Army do not accept building materials. ReStore sells these items at steep discounts to the public, with proceeds funding Habitat for Humanity affordable housing construction. All donated materials must be in usable condition. Find a ReStore drop-off location at habitat.org/restores.
Will any charity accept a mattress donation?
Yes, some do. Most Goodwill locations and Habitat for Humanity ReStore do not accept mattresses, because of hygiene concerns and bedbug risk. The Salvation Army varies by location: its national FAQ at satruck.org lists mattresses among accepted furniture, and the Central Ohio Salvation Army takes mattresses and box springs, but the Southern and Western Adult Rehabilitation Center commands refuse them. Call your local center first. Some local charities and furniture banks also accept mattresses that are clean, stain-free, and free of any signs of infestation. Check with local homeless shelters, transitional housing programs, or organizations like the Furniture Bank Network in your area. If no charity will take your mattress, look for a mattress recycling program — many states have retailer take-back requirements when delivering a new mattress.
Where should I donate a car?
The Salvation Army is one of the most straightforward options for vehicle donations — they accept cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and RVs, and issue IRS Form 1098-C, which you must have to claim a deduction over $500. Other well-known vehicle donation programs include Goodwill Car Donations (separate from Goodwill store donations) and Cars for Homes (Habitat for Humanity). Your deduction is generally limited to the gross proceeds the charity receives when the vehicle is sold, unless the charity uses or significantly improves the vehicle. For any vehicle donation deduction over $500, Form 1098-C is required; for deductions over $5,000, a qualified appraisal is also required.
Do I need a receipt for Goodwill or Salvation Army donations for taxes?
Yes — you generally need a written receipt from the charity for any non-cash donation you plan to deduct. For a gift under $250 where getting one is impractical, such as at an unattended drop site, IRS Publication 526 accepts reliable written records instead. For any single contribution of $250 or more, IRS rules require a contemporaneous written acknowledgment from the charity that describes the items donated and states whether you received anything in return. Both Goodwill and the Salvation Army give a donation receipt, but keep your own item list too: the Central Ohio Salvation Army, for example, asks donors to bring an itemized list of their donation. Neither charity assigns a dollar value to your items — you are responsible for determining the fair market value of each donated item. For total non-cash donations exceeding $500 in a year, IRS Form 8283 must be filed with your tax return.
What items will no charity accept?
Several categories of items are universally rejected by major donation charities: recalled products (any item on the CPSC recall list), car seats and booster seats (due to safety concerns after accidents), drop-side cribs (banned by CPSC since 2011), hazardous materials including paint, chemicals, and pesticides, and items with no apparent functional or resale value. Mattresses are refused by most Goodwill locations and by Habitat ReStore, but Salvation Army policies vary by location. Most charities also reject encyclopedias and VHS tapes due to lack of demand, and televisions that are not flat-screen models. If an item is broken, heavily stained, or missing key components, assume no charity will accept it — donating damaged goods creates disposal costs for the charity.
