How To Donate To Goodwill: Donation Tips, FAQs And Tax Benefits

Written by Frey Chu

Last updated on December 17, 2022

Table Of Contents

How To Donate To Goodwill (In 5 Easy Steps)

Whether you’re decluttering your home, or looking to make more room for new items, donating at Goodwill is simple and easy. If you’ve ever heard of friends or family donating their used clothes to Goodwill, here’s how you can do it too.

  1. Gather your clothing and other personal items you want to donate (see below for items that are accepted and not accepted)
  2. Find a Goodwill Donation Center near you. You can find one using the official Goodwill store locator. 
  3. Drive to the Goodwill Donation Center and drop off your donations. Many locations will have separate bins for clothes, electronics, and more. Follow any signs directing you to the donation center. In many occasions, there are Goodwill thrift stores where you can drop off donations in the back of the store.
  4. (Optional) Get a donation receipt
  5. (Optional) For tax deductions, get an itemized donation receipt filled out based on the fair market value of your donated items (more details below)

At their donation centers, Goodwill accepts a wide range of products, including apparel, electronics, and household items. But did you realize that giving your things to a charity like Goodwill has a number of significant advantages?

What's An Acceptable Donation?

Goodwill’s Donation Centers will accept almost everything. You can check out this list of what items are accepted by Goodwill.

But since every Goodwill Donation Center is independently operated, there’s only one way to guarantee that your nearest Goodwill will take your items: visit the donation center in person. 

If you’re just donating clothing and general merchandise that’s in good, working condition, you should be able to drop off your donations without any issues . Any oversized items or belongings in rough shape, may be turned down.

Items That Are Accepted By Goodwill

What Donations Are Not Accepted?

It’s easy to donate an entire garage worth of stuff when you want to de-clutter or move. But there are several things that you can’t donate to Goodwill. 

Also, each Goodwill donation center may have slightly different rules with what you can and can’t donate. If your’e unsure, make sure to give your local donation center a call before your visit to confirm if they will accept your type of belongings.

Generally, if you’re donating items that are oversized, hazardous to touch, in stained or poor condition, and/or personal care items that can be contaminated, Goodwill most likely won’t accept your donation. 

And when items get donated that can’t be re-resold, Goodwill has to throw them away where they may end up in landfill. So, please think twice before donating something that is in condition (or ask your thrift store employees).

Items That Are Not Accepted By Goodwill

How Do I Get My Donation Receipt?

After you drop your items off at your Goodwill donation center, you can request a Goodwill employee provide you with a donation receipt. But depending on where you live, the process can be different.

Here’s how you can get your donation receipt, or download a general donation form for your Goodwill donations.

What's My Donation Value?

When you donate your items, you have to list the value of your items on your donation receipt.

You can use Goodwill’s valuation guide, but it’s not going to be the best way to maximize your tax deductions. Especially if you’re donating valuable clothing brands and designer name pieces.

Here you can learn how to identify your donation value, item by item.

Frequently Asked Donation Questions

Yes, underwear that is brand new, unworn and still in the package is accepted as a donation.

However, used underwear is not accepted as a donation because it’s unsanitary and difficult to re-sell. Remember, Goodwill does not wash their clothes before they sell them.

Yes, socks that are brand new and unworn are acceptable as donations.

But used socks are not accepted as a donation because it’s unsanitary and difficult to re-sell. Other thrift stores may accept used socks, just usually not Goodwill.

Yes, bras are brand new and unworn are typically acceptable as donations. However, not all Goodwill donation centers will accept used bras.

To make sure your local Goodwill accepts bras as a donation, give them a call before your visit.

No, not usually. But smaller pieces of furniture, including couches, tables and chairs, may be accepted at Goodwill donation centers. However, it’s more common for furniture to not be accepted at all.

Goodwill Outlets, a larger buy by the pound version of thrifting, does accept furniture in many cases. Find a Goodwill Outlet near you, that doubles as a donation center, and ask them if they will accept your furniture.

No, Goodwill normally does not accept contributions of mattresses.

Your best bet at getting rid of your mattress is through an online marketplace or independent thrift store.

No, large appliances like refrigerators, stoves, washer and dryer or washing machines are not be accepted by Goodwill.

These products may be be donated to smaller, independent thrift stores. Otherwise the best way to get rid of your large item may be to give it away for free on an online marketplace.

No, large car seats or any automobile parts to Goodwill may not be accepted it due to its bulky size.

But if you’re donating a small child’s seats, your local Goodwill may accept it.

Check with your local Goodwill donation center by calling ahead of your visit.

Yes, Goodwill accepts blankets, pillows, bedding, curtains and comforters.

Yes, books and other forms of media, such as DVDs and VHS tapes, are accepted at Goodwill.

However, if your books and media contains explicit or adult content, it may not be accepted.

Yes, if you’re donating a small keyboard piano that is in working condition. 

But if you’re trying to donate a grand piano, Goodwill probably won’t accept it as a donation.

Yes, kitchen knives are accepted by Goodwill as a donation.

No, food and beverages are not accepted as donations at Goodwill.

Yes, new and unworn diapers for kids and seniors are accepted at Goodwill.

Yes, bathing suits are accepted by Goodwill. But depending on the season you’re in, your local Goodwill may not accept swimwear until the Spring and Summer months.

Yes, if your breast pump is brand new and unused. However, due to the possibility that a used breast pump is contaminated, Goodwill usually doesn’t accept pumps in pre-owned condition.

No, perfume, makeup, lotions, nail polish and other personal care items are not accepted at Goodwill. 

Not if used. Medical supplies or devices that are used may not be accepted at Goodwill due to the chance of contamination. 

If you’re donating brand new medical supplies, there’s a good chance Goodwill will accept them as a donation.

Yes, your gently used rug or carpet is an acceptable donation to Goodwill. 

But condition matters. If your rug is extremely dirty or worn, chances are that your Goodwill will not accept it and will need to trash it.

No, Goodwill does not accept makeup, lotions or other personal care items as a donation.

Yes! Goodwill loves to accept toys as long as they are in gently used and clean condition.

But if you’re donating toys and dolls that are heavily worn, they may end up in the trash if you donate them to Goodwill.

Yes, gently used dishes and cookware are accepted at Goodwill.

No, used wrapping paper may not be accepted or may end up in the trash if you donate them to Goodwill. 

But if you’re donating brand new, sealed rolls of wrapping paper of gift wrap, this is accepted at Goodwill.

Yes, comforters are accepted at Goodwill.

Yes, towels that are clean and not stained are accepted at Goodwill.

Yes, military uniforms are accepted as a donation to Goodwill.

Yes, new and unused candles are accepted at Goodwill.

But used candles that are burned through will most likely be tossed or trashed.

Yes, glasses and other forms of eyewear are accepted at Goodwill.

However, if it’s missing a lens or in poor condition, it may not be accepted.

Donating Is Simple And Can Save You In Taxes

If you have any questions about donating your items to Goodwill, please comment them below. If there are some donation tips we left out, we’d also love to hear from you below. Perhaps you can help someone out who is trying to donate their items too.

Lastly, I’ll leave you with a few ways your donation is benefitting yourself and others.

5 Benefits To Donating Your Possessions

  1. Your donation is tax deductible. When you file taxes, you can reduce your tax obligations while also helping a worthy charity.

  2. You are protecting the environment. By now, we all seem to be aware that a large chunk of global garbage is made up of apparel that winds up in landfills. Instead of tossing away your gently worn belongings, consider donating them.

  3. A clutter-free space clears the mind. Donating items to Goodwill allows them to be used by others or distributed to different people, rather than being thrown away or wasted.

  4. You support career opportunities for disabled people (Goodwill’s mission). These employment opportunities include job training and that enhance community members’ quality of life.

  5. You are helping someone significantly. There is delight in knowing that the things you no longer require or desire will be used and enjoyed by someone else.