What Not to Give to Charity: A Practical Guide

You might think that if you don’t need it, someone else will. But not everything belongs in a donation bag, and charities deal with overflowing piles of unusable stuff every single day. Ever dragged a leaking box of VHS tapes or a bag of lone shoes to your local charity shop? Trust me, they see a lot worse.

Most charities have to pay to get rid of things they can’t use or sell. That means every broken toaster or stained sofa can eat into cash meant for their actual cause. So, before you toss anything in with your donations, take a minute to check what they actually want. If there’s any doubt—give them a call or check their website. It’ll save everyone a headache, and your good deed won’t backfire.

• Why Not Everything Is Welcome
• The Top Don'ts: Items You Should Skip
• Hidden Problems with Certain Donations
• Smart Ways to Make Your Donation Count

Why Not Everything Is Welcome

Picture this: you drop off a box of old gadgets and half-broken toys, thinking you’re helping out. The reality? Most charity shops spend thousands each year getting rid of stuff they can’t give to anyone. In the UK, for example, charities spend over £13 million a year on dumping unusable donations. That’s money pulled straight from their missions—less for food banks, kids’ programs, or research.

There’s a bigger problem when folks think “anything goes.” Donation centers don’t have endless storage or time. They can’t accept stuff that’s dirty, dangerous, or just plain useless. Damaged items cost them money and take up space that could go to things people actually need.

Why do so many places turn down items? There are a few real reasons behind those “no thanks” lists you sometimes see next to the drop box:

• Safety rules: Cribs, car seats, and helmets can’t be resold unless perfect, because there’s a legal risk if something goes wrong.
• Hygiene: Mattresses, pillows, and underwear? No one wants to pick through someone else’s used bedding for obvious reasons.
• What actually sells: Charities can’t stock piles of stuff no one wants (think big old TVs or out-of-date encyclopedias).
• Hidden surprises: Anything with bugs, mold, or smoke smells is a big nope—it can ruin entire shipments of clothes or books.

Here’s a quick look at what charities usually have to toss out, wasting resources they’d rather spend on their cause:

Always double check the rules for charity donations in your area. If you’re not sure, call ahead. The best way to help is to only give what’s clean, safe, and still useful. Charities want your generosity—but not your junk.

The Top Don'ts: Items You Should Skip

It feels good to clear out your closet or garage, but dropping off anything and everything at a charity isn't always the right move. Here’s a rundown of stuff your local charity just can’t take—even if you’re sure someone could use it.

• charity donations do not include stained, ripped, or moldy clothes. Shops simply toss them and may have to pay landfill fees.
• Used underwear and socks (yep, even freshly washed ones) are almost never accepted due to hygiene rules.
• Furniture that’s ripped, broken, or missing parts is out. Most charities have strict safety regulations, especially after new fire safety laws.
• Mattresses, pillows, and bedding are a big no. They can be a breeding ground for bedbugs and are illegal to resell in many places.
• Old computers, CRT TVs, and anything with a busted screen or missing parts. Recycling centers handle these far better.
• Outdated baby gear, like car seats or cribs, is a safety headache—especially since safety standards change often.
• Opened cosmetics or expired food. No one wants half-used lipstick, and food banks can’t legally accept food past its date.

Need more specifics? Here’s what some major UK and US charities said they had to discard in 2024:

If you’re ever in doubt, ask the staff before dragging something over. Some charities post “Do Not Donate” lists online or right by the entrance—trust them, they know what just clogs up their back rooms.

Hidden Problems with Certain Donations

On the surface, anything gently used seems fair game for donation. But there are hidden downsides when it comes to certain items. Let’s break down why some things, even if they look okay, are more trouble than they’re worth for charities.

First off, electrical appliances are a big headache. Most charity shops don’t have the budget or staff to check if some old blender or hair dryer really works, or if it meets current safety rules. In the UK and U.S., strict regulations mean most donated electronics end up in landfills anyway, which wastes both time and money. Even if the item functions, if it can’t be properly safety tested, it’s unsellable. That’s rough for small stores trying to raise funds.

Children’s gear like car seats, cribs, and strollers have their own complications. Safety standards change often, and recalls happen regularly. A lot of charities aren’t allowed to touch baby equipment at all because of legal risks. One UK children’s charity had to spend thousands to dump baby car seats after realizing they weren’t allowed to resell them. The same goes for helmets and other safety equipment—there’s usually no way to guarantee they haven’t taken a heavy hit or expired.

Then there are mattresses, upholstered furniture, and large items. Charities get swamped with big things that either don’t meet fire safety standards or have rips, stains, or smells. Transporting and disposing of these pieces is pricey. Especially with mattresses, many countries have health codes that block reselling used ones unless they’re practically new—and really, very few are.

Last, beware of charity donations with hidden pests or mold. Even if your stuff looks fine, soft items like clothes, bedding, and soft toys can carry bed bugs or musty smells. No charity wants to accidentally pass those on, so if there’s the slightest doubt, it’s better to toss it or handle it at a specialist recycling center.

When in doubt, ask if the item is something you’d happily give to a friend without feeling embarrassed. If not, it’s probably not donation-friendly, even if the urge to declutter is strong.

Smart Ways to Make Your Donation Count

The secret to a good charity donation isn’t in the quantity, but in the quality and the thought behind what you give. Before you bag up everything in your trunk, here’s how to make sure your gift actually does good.

• charity donations: Check what your chosen charity really needs. Most have updated lists online or even Amazon wishlists, so you can send items straight to them.
• Wash and check items for damage. Stained shirts, broken toys, and half-used toiletries just won’t cut it—nonprofits end up paying to toss these.
• Think seasonally. Coats make sense in winter, school supplies in August. Most organizations only have tiny storerooms and get overwhelmed with out-of-season stuff.
• Organize before donating. Separate clothing by type or size, bundle games with all pieces, and label electronics with chargers if possible. This makes life way easier for volunteers.
• Donate during open hours, not after. Leaving items outside can ruin them, and some places actually fine for dumping outside donation hours.

Giving cash donations or gift cards sometimes helps more than that third bag of old baby clothes. Cash lets organizations target their biggest needs or buy in bulk at much lower prices. In 2023, the Giving USA Foundation reported that cash and gift cards made up over 60% of all charitable giving in the U.S., making the biggest impact on resources.

When in doubt, call ahead. A quick check with the local charity desk can save everyone from wasted trips and wasted resources. Your effort to match your donation to their needs can turn a small gesture into real, practical help.