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10+ Items Never To Donate To Thrift Stores

It’s that time of year to fall clean and clear out closets. The easy solution is to donate everything to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. But not everything you are clearing out your local thrift store will take. Here are some items to avoid donating.

BABY EQUIPMENT:
Safety standards change all the time. So a 20-year-old crib, stroller, or car seat might not meet current standards, no matter how good shape the equipment is in.

MEDICATION AND TOILETRIES
Any medication can’t be resold at thrift shops. A non-profit like a homeless shelter would welcome the toiletries you can donate.

BASKETS AND CONTAINERS
Whether from a gift basket or a shopping trip to Michael’s, containers and baskets can pile up. Thrift stores don’t want excess baskets and containers either. Recycle or repurpose them instead.

MATTRESSES, PILLOWS, BEANBAG CHAIRS, AND SLEEPER SOFAS
Besides the fact that these items are hard to clean, they can harbor bedbugs and other pests. It is better to dispose of them.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
This includes eyeglasses, walkers, braces, wheelchairs, and hospital beds. Try donating to churches, community centers, nursing homes, daycare centers or schools.