Last weekend, I helped my friend clear out her garage, and we loaded up her car with bags full of old stuff to donate. When we arrived at the local thrift store, an employee quietly pulled us aside and explained that half our items couldn’t be accepted. I was shocked! Turns out, many of us are unknowingly making thrift store workers’ jobs harder by donating things they secretly can’t stand receiving. These stores depend on our generosity, but the wrong donations can actually cost them money and waste their time.
Broken electronics that nobody can fix
We’ve all been there – hanging onto that old DVD player or printer for years thinking “maybe it just needs a new cord” or “I might fix it someday.” Then donation day comes, and off it goes to the thrift store. Unfortunately, thrift stores don’t have repair technicians on staff to troubleshoot and fix these items. When you donate broken electronics, you’re basically giving them your electronic trash to deal with, and they’ll likely have to pay to dispose of it properly.
Even working electronics can be a problem if they’re too old. That VCR from 1995 or computer running Windows XP won’t sell because hardly anyone has the equipment to use them anymore. Thrift stores are especially wary of old TVs and monitors with those bulky CRT displays – they take up valuable floor space and contain hazardous materials that require special handling to dispose of. Instead of donating outdated tech, look into electronics recycling programs in your area that can properly handle these items.
Mattresses and bedding that pose health risks
That mattress might still feel comfortable to you, but for thrift stores, used mattresses are among their most dreaded donations. Many states have laws preventing the resale of used mattresses due to health concerns. Even if selling them were legal, the risk of bedbugs, dust mites, and other allergens makes them nearly impossible to sell. The same goes for pillows, which can harbor all sorts of bacteria and allergens that can’t be easily cleaned away. Thrift store workers cringe when they see these items because they know they’ll have to pay to dispose of them.
Comforters, sheets, and other bedding items also fall into this category of items that thrift stores struggle to sell. While some stores might accept clean bedding in excellent condition, most would rather not deal with the potential hygiene issues. If your bedding is still in good shape, consider donating directly to homeless shelters or animal rescues that have immediate needs and proper cleaning protocols. For mattresses, look into mattress recycling services that can break down and reuse the materials rather than sending them to the landfill.
Baby items that might be dangerous
When my cousin’s baby outgrew her crib and car seat, her first thought was to donate them to help another family. What she didn’t know was that most thrift stores have to refuse these items, even when they look perfectly fine. Baby items like cribs, car seats, high chairs, and walkers are subject to frequent safety recalls and changing safety standards. A crib that was perfectly safe five years ago might not meet today’s safety requirements. Car seats actually expire after a certain period (usually 6-10 years) because the materials break down over time.
Thrift stores simply don’t have the resources to research every baby item’s recall status or safety record, and they don’t want to risk selling something that could harm a child. The liability is too great. Some specialized organizations do accept car seat donations for recycling programs, and certain baby equipment can be passed along through parenting groups where you can directly inform the recipient about the item’s history. But for the thrift store worker who has to explain for the tenth time that day why they can’t accept a car seat, it’s a frustrating conversation that never gets easier.
Personal care items nobody wants to buy used
Would you buy a half-used bottle of shampoo or a makeup palette that someone else’s fingers have dipped into? Probably not, and neither would thrift store shoppers. Yet somehow, personal care products regularly show up in donation bins. Used cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, and toiletries pose hygiene concerns and can’t be properly sanitized for resale. The same goes for anything with a scent – what smells wonderful to you might trigger allergies or headaches in others, making scented items difficult to sell.
Even when these products are unopened, many have expiration dates that might make them unsuitable for resale. Thrift store workers have to sort through these items one by one, checking for signs of use and expiration dates. Most end up in the trash, wasting valuable staff time that could be spent processing sellable donations. If you have unopened, unexpired personal care items to donate, consider giving them directly to homeless shelters or domestic violence organizations where they can be put to immediate use. For partially used products, unfortunately, the trash bin is usually the only option.
Worn-out clothing with stains or damage
We all have those favorite t-shirts or jeans that we’ve worn until they’re paper-thin, with little holes or permanent stains. They hold sentimental value for us, so we think someone else might appreciate them too. But the reality is that thrift stores can’t sell clothing with visible wear and tear. Those jeans with frayed hems, shirts with underarm stains, or sweaters with pilling will likely end up in the trash. Thrift store workers spend countless hours sorting through clothing donations, and it’s disheartening to throw away items that people thought were still usable.
This doesn’t mean you need to throw away all less-than-perfect clothing. Many thrift stores actually do work with textile recycling programs that can turn damaged fabrics into insulation, carpet padding, or cleaning rags. But these items should be bagged separately and clearly labeled as “for recycling,” not mixed in with your sellable donations. Some stores even make extra money by selling recyclable textiles by the pound. If you’re unsure about an item’s condition, ask yourself if you’d pay money for it in its current state. If the answer is no, consider looking into textile recycling options instead.
Furniture that won’t survive another move
That wobbly bookshelf or sagging couch might still function in your home, but thrift stores need furniture that can withstand being moved and handled multiple times. Particleboard furniture (the kind that comes flat-packed) is especially problematic because once it’s been assembled and disassembled, it rarely goes back together properly. Even small amounts of water damage can cause particleboard to swell and weaken. Upholstered furniture with pet hair, stains, tears, or odors is almost impossible to sell, yet thrift stores regularly receive sofas and chairs in terrible condition.
Furniture takes up valuable floor and storage space, so thrift stores have to be picky about what they accept. A single unsellable sofa can prevent them from displaying multiple smaller items that would sell quickly. Many stores now charge a disposal fee if you try to leave damaged furniture with them, which can range from $20 to $100 depending on the item. Before donating furniture, check all joints, test its sturdiness, and make sure it’s clean and odor-free. If it doesn’t pass these tests, consider listing it for free pickup on community sites where someone might be willing to repair it, or contact your local waste management company about proper disposal options.
Hazardous materials that create disposal problems
Most people wouldn’t intentionally donate dangerous items, but sometimes we don’t realize the risks certain products pose. Paint cans, cleaning chemicals, pesticides, and anything flammable should never be donated to thrift stores. Even if these containers appear to be sealed, they can leak during transport or storage, creating health hazards for staff and customers. Thrift stores aren’t equipped to handle hazardous materials, and disposing of them properly often requires special procedures and permits that these non-profit organizations don’t have.
Other items that fall into this category include anything containing mercury (like old thermometers), items with lead paint, and electronics containing lithium batteries that can pose fire risks if damaged. Even seemingly innocent items like propane tanks from grills or partially used cans of adhesive can create major headaches for thrift store staff. These items require special handling and disposal methods that thrift stores must pay for out of their own pockets. Most communities have designated hazardous waste collection days or facilities where these materials can be safely disposed of – a much better option than putting thrift store workers at risk.
Large appliances that eat up valuable space
When upgrading your kitchen or laundry room, you might think your old refrigerator, stove, or washing machine would be perfect for a thrift store. After all, someone looking to save money could use it, right? The problem is that these large appliances require extensive testing to ensure they’re working properly, and they take up enormous amounts of floor space that could display dozens of smaller, faster-selling items. Many thrift stores simply don’t have the facilities to test whether water lines connect properly or if heating elements work safely.
Appliances containing freon, like refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners, are particularly problematic because they require special handling and certification to service or dispose of properly. Even when large appliances are in working condition, the logistics of transporting, testing, and displaying them often makes them unprofitable for thrift stores to handle. If you have working large appliances to donate, look into specialized programs like Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore which is better equipped to handle them. Many appliance retailers also offer removal and recycling of old units when delivering new ones, which is often the easiest solution for everyone involved.
Now that you know what thrift stores secretly dread receiving, you can be a more considerate donor. By giving only items that are clean, complete, and in good working condition, you help these stores fulfill their missions of providing affordable goods and supporting community programs. Remember, if you wouldn’t give it to a friend or buy it yourself in its current condition, it probably doesn’t belong in a donation bin. Being thoughtful about what you donate isn’t just good for the thrift store – it’s good for the environment and our communities too.
