Where to donate all of that stuff!
If you're having trouble locating places to donate items such as strollers, books, car seats, clothing, electronics, and more, you've come to the right spot! We will explore both the common household items that are frequently donated and those that may be more challenging to give away. This guide includes major donation centers like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, along with local donation facilities in Austin.
First and foremost, I want to emphasize this point: do not donate items that are in poor condition. If it’s something you wouldn’t keep in your own home due to excessive wear and tear, please refrain from donating it. Instead, consider throwing it away or recycling it. Donating genuine trash only wastes the time of volunteers and undermines the purpose of charitable efforts.
Ok, now that that’s out of the way- let’s get started.
Hi! I’m Erin and I am the proud owner of an Austin based organizing business where we help busy families declutter and organize their space to live lighter and more effecient lives. We handle donations for all of our wonderful clients, so we have donated A LOT OF THINGS!
To make the navigation of this blog post easier, I will arrange commonly donated items in alphabetical order, along with the facilities that accept each item. If you see an asterisk (*) next to a facility, it indicates that I have additional notes below to provide more information about that organization. Please keep in mind that some nationwide centers, such as Goodwill and Salvation Army, may have slightly different regulations regarding what they can accept for donations, so all details have been updated specifically for Austin, TX.
In alphabetical order:
APPLIANCES: The following facilities will accept small appliances: Savers, Goodwill, ReStore by Habitat for Humanity, and Arms of Hope*. Salvation Army will accept all appliances as long as they are operational, clean and not a built in appliance
BABY ITEMS: Savers, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Arms of Hope*, Austin Diaper Bank (diapers only. Click here for more details) and Arms of Hope*
BOOKS: Goodwill, Austin public library (or check your local library), Savers and the Salvation Army
BLANKETS: Goodwill, Savers, Salvation Army, Arms of Hope*, Casa Marianella* and Austin Humane Society* (without stuffing)
BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Savers, Salvation Army, Goodwill, Arms of Hope, and Brides Across America*
BUILDING MATERIALS (tubs, sinks, doors, etc): ReStore by Habitat for Humanity
CAR SEATS: SAFE Alliance* or check your local family shelter. Due to safety concerns it is difficult to find a place to donate car seats. Target runs a great trade in program for car seat that you can read more about here.
CLEANING SUPPLIES: the following facilities will take unopened items that are not expired: Salvation Army, and Goodwill. ReStore by Habitat for Humanity but must be more than half full
CLOTHING: Savers, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Casa Marianella, SAFE Alliance*, ReStore by Habitat for Humanity, Florence’s Comfort House* (baby and children’s clothing), and Dress for Success (women’s clothing only)
COMPUTER MONITORS: Goodwill
CRIBS: SAFE Alliance*
DIAPERS: Florence’s Comfort House* and Austin Diaper Bank (click here for more details)
ELECTRONICS: Savers, Goodwill, ReStore by Habitat for Humanity (under 5 years old), The Settlement Home for Children*, and Arms of Hope*
EVENING DRESSES: Goodwill, Savers, Salvation Army and Arms of Hope*
EXERCISE EQUIPMENT: Savers, Goodwill (under 50lbs), ReStore by Habitat for Humanity, Arms of Hope*
FOOD: unexpired food can be donated to your local food bank, shelters, soup kitchens and pantries. In Austin, you can bring your food to the Central Texas Food Bank. Click here for more information. You can also bring unexpired food to Casa Marianella*, Florence’s Comfort House* (non perishable),
FURNITURE: Savers will take small furniture pieces, Goodwill (check with your location on if they accept all or just small items), and Arms of Hope*
HOUSEWARES: Savers, Goodwill, Casa Marianella*, and Arms of Hope*
LAWN EQUIPMENT: ReStore by Habitat for Humanity will accept lawn care chemicals as long as they are not hazardous and are more than half full, and Arms of Hope*
MATTRESSES: check your local shelters. Here in Austin you can donate twin or full size mattresses in good condition to Casa Marianella*. They will even arrange to pick up your items
PAINT: Arms of Hope*, and ReStore by Habitat for Humanity (must be more than half full)
PILLOWS: Casa Marianella*
PET SUPPLIES: Florence’s Comfort House*, Austin Humane Society*
PROM DRESSES: Goodwill, Savers, Brides Across America*, Arms of Hope*
SHOES: Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers, Casa Marianella*, Dress for Success (women’s shoes only), Arms of Hope*
SPRAY PAINT: ReStore by Habitat for Humanity (must be more than half full)
STROLLERS: Salvation Army (but may vary in your area), local women’s shelters, Casa Marianella*
TECHNOLOGY: Goodwill, Savers, SAFE*, ReStore by Habitat for Humanity (under 5 years old), Arms of Hope*
TOILETRIES: the following facilities will take unopened items that are not expired: Salvation Army, Casa Marianella, SAFE Alliance*, and Dress for Success
TOOLS: ReStore by Habitat for Humanity and Arms of Hope*
TOWELS: Austin Humane Society*
TOYS: Savers, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Arms of Hope*. Check your local children’s shelters to see if they will accept donations.
TVs: if you have a flat screen TV you can donate to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Arms of Hope*
VEHICLES: SAFE Alliance, Austin Pets Alive* , Arms of Hope*
WEDDING DRESSES: Savers, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Brides Across America*, and Angel Gowns*
Now we are going to take the larger donation centers and highlight what they do/do not accept a little bit more in detail. I have included links to help you decipher which organization is the best fit for your donation.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS: “We empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help them thrive in work and in life.” Find your local location by clicking here. For more details on the donations they will aceept, click here.
GOODWILL: does not accept furniture in disrepair or with animal hair, mattresses, non flat screen TVs, large appliances, building materials, rugs with animal hair
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE: check for a location near you! In Austin we have more than one location. Depending on your donation they will arrange for a free pick up. To see a full list of what they DO accept, click here.
SALVATION ARMY: does not accept appliances that have mechanical difficulties, missing power cord or is rusty or dirty. No gas appliances whatsoever, large console model televisions and stereos, televisions older than 5 years (the date can be found on the back of the television), built in appliances, automobile parts (tires, wheels, batteries, seats, body parts and engines), paint or chemicals of any kind, kerosene and gas heaters
SAVERS: does not accept large appliances, car parts, construction materials, damaged furniture, flammable or hazardous materials, food, baby products, mattresses, swimming pools, TV & computer monitors, weapons, and money
Organizations not as well known but worthy of your consideration:
ANGEL GOWNS: This nationwide non profit helps families that have recently lost their baby. Your dress will be transformed into a custom made gown for photos and/or burial services. Click here for more details.
ARMS OF HOPE: With locations throughout Texas, they strive “to transform the lives of disadvantaged children, youth and families by providing hope and support in a nurturing, Christian environment.” Click here for more details.
AUSTIN DIAPER BANK: Located in Austin, the “Austin Diaper Bank provides diapers and wipes to over 35,000 Central Texas families who struggle to afford diapers each month for their babies and children.” Click here for more details.
AUSTIN HUMANE SOCIETY: Located in Austin it is “The longest-standing no-kill, non-profit pet and adoption center in Austin.” Click here for more details.
AUSTIN PETS ALIVE (Austin): Located in Austin, it is a no kill animal shelter in Ausin, TX. They have a wish list of specific items they are looking for. Click here for more details.
BRIDES ACROSS AMERICA: This nationwide organization will take gowns (or special evening dresses) and gift them to a member of the armed forces or first responders. Click here for more details.
CASA MARIANELLA: Located in Austin they “welcome displaced immigrants and promotes self-sufficiency by providing shelter and support services.” Click here for more details.
FLORENCE’S COMFORT HOUSE: Located in Austin, “This house, filled with love, acceptance, and encouragement, enables Florence to reach out to the kids in her community, helping them to make the best of their lives both during their youth and beyond.” Click here for more details.
SAFE ALLIANCE: Located in Austin, “the SAFE Alliance exists to stop abuse for everyone by serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence.” Click here for more details.
I hope this blog post motivates you to donate your belongings. Consider giving them to someone or an organization that will appreciate, utilize, and be thankful for them. An item that is simply taking up space and going unused can have a positive impact on someone’s day… or life!
Please remember to donate only items that are suitable for giving. Donation centers prefer not to receive your worn-out, torn, or unusable items, as they will have to manage the disposal on your behalf. If something is trash you can always check with your local recycling center on how to best dispose of the item. In working with clients I know that a lot of us think our items have more life in them than they do. I know it is hard to throw something away instead of donate it, but it just causes more work for the donation centers. Think twice before donating an item, typically our first thought tells us if something is worthy of donation.
Do you have any thoughts, suggestions, or changes? Feel free to share them in the comments below!
