What Clothes Can I Donate? What We Take and What We Can’t
The simple test for any piece of clothing is this: if it’s clean and someone could wear it tomorrow, we’ll take it. Most of what people clear out of their wardrobes passes easily. Here is what we collect, the few things we can’t, and why.
Clothes
For men, women and children.
Shoes
In pairs, tied together.
Bags
And hats and accessories.
Linen
Sheets, covers and towels.
Welcome in your bags
Clothes we collect
We take men’s, women’s and children’s clothes of every kind, including:
- Coats and jackets
- Jumpers, cardigans and knitwear
- Jeans and trousers
- Dresses and skirts
- Shirts, blouses, t-shirts and tops
- Hoodies and sweatshirts
- Sportswear
- Baby and children’s clothes
You can put these in with your clothes too:
Shoes, trainers and boots
In pairs, tied together by the laces or in their own bag, so they reach our warehouse as a pair. More on donating shoes.
Handbags, hats and accessories
Empty the pockets first. More on donating bags and accessories.
Bed linen and towels
Sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases and towels. More on donating linen and towels.
Please leave out
Clothes we can’t take, and why
There are only a few, and each has a reason. We only collect things another person can use, because anything that can’t be reused costs money to get rid of, and that money should be going to charity.
Socks, tights and underwear
They can’t be passed on second-hand.
Instead: worn-out ones can go in a council textile bank to be recycled.
Pyjamas, nightwear and dressing gowns
For the same reason: they can’t be passed on second-hand.
Instead: a council textile bank.
School uniform
Clothes carrying a school crest can only be worn at that school.
Instead: offer it to the school. Many run a second-hand uniform shop or a swap.
Names and company logos
Clothes printed or embroidered with a name or logo can’t be worn by anyone else.
Instead: a council textile bank.
Wet, torn or badly stained
They can’t be worn again, and wet clothes spoil everything packed with them.
Instead: a council textile bank or your local recycling centre.
Duvets, pillows and blankets
Not clothes, but people often ask: filled bedding can’t be rehomed for hygiene reasons.
Instead: animal shelters are often glad of it.
The full list of everything we can and can’t collect is on what we collect.
Before you bag up
Is it good enough to donate?
Is it clean?
Wash anything that needs it.
Is it dry?
All the way through. Damp clothes go mouldy in a sealed bag.
Could someone wear it?
No big holes, heavy stains or broken zips.
Would you give it to a friend?
If yes, it’s ready to go.
A good rule of thumb: fold each piece as if you were putting it back in your own wardrobe. If you would happily hand it to a friend, it is ready for the bag.
Unsure about one item? Leave it out. One spoiled piece can ruin a whole bag of good clothes.
Worn out?
What about clothes that are worn out?
Please don’t put them in your donation bags, but please don’t put them in the bin either. Council textile banks and household recycling centres take worn-out clothes and send them for recycling, where they are turned into things like insulation and industrial cleaning cloths. Why reuse comes first and recycling second is explained on how donating clothes helps the planet.
Ready to bag up? Our step-by-step guide, how to donate clothes from home, covers packing, booking and the day itself.
Ready to donate your clothes?
It’s free, you don’t need to be at home, and you choose the charity your donation supports.