Goodwill cannot accept items that are broken, stained, hazardous, or cannot legally be resold. Due to safety, hygiene, and disposal costs, local donation centers generally reject the following:
Items Goodwill does not accept
Goodwill does not accept items that are broken, soiled, hazardous, recalled, or too large to easily resell. Because Goodwill locations operate as independent regional networks, specific restrictions vary, but most centers strictly refuse the following common items:
Avoid donating broken, stained, torn, or hazardous items, as well as outdated electronics, large appliances, and specific children's gear (like car seats/cribs) that violate safety standards. Items to skip include soiled mattresses, mattresses-toppers, old TV sets, and recalled or broken toys. Generally, if it is not in good working condition, it should not be donated.
Some items are priced for Goodwill stores, others are routed to ecommerce, outlets, or aftermarket retail. Time on the Floor – Items get roughly 3 weeks on the sales floor. If they don't sell, they may be packed into mystery bags or sent to outlet stores for sale by the pound.
Never donate clothes that are stained, torn, wet, moldy, or heavily worn. Thrift stores and shelters lack the resources to repair or clean these items, and disposing of them costs charities millions of dollars each year. Additionally, for hygiene reasons, never donate used undergarments or socks.
If your total Goodwill donation is worth over $500, you must itemize your taxes and file IRS Form 8283 with your tax return.
There isn't a single "Goodwill scandal," but rather an ongoing series of controversies, leaks, and investigations surrounding the nonprofit organization. These issues generally center on four main areas:
Games that do not comply with Consumer Product Safety Standards (1-800-638-2772 or www.cpsc.gov).
People are boycotting Goodwill primarily due to outrage over inflated pricing on free donations and a controversial labor loophole. Consumers and advocacy groups argue that the nonprofit has strayed from its charitable roots, while historic activist groups target its wage policies.
Thrift stores will reject items that are damaged, recalled, unsanitary, or costly to dispose of. If you wouldn't confidently hand it to a friend, don't donate it.
Charities ask for $19 a month instead of $20 because of consumer psychology, administrative convenience, and marketing strategy.
The most needed items to donate consistently across food banks, homeless shelters, and charities are money, protein-rich non-perishables, and essential hygiene products. Donating these goods directly provides individuals with immediate, tangible relief.
10 Things I Would Never Buy Used at Goodwill
Whether to donate or sell depends on your time, the value of your items, and how quickly you want them gone.
Items You Should Not Donate
Goodwill cannot accept items that are broken, stained, recalled, unhygienic, or pose safety and environmental hazards. This includes mattresses, large appliances, hazardous chemicals, weapons, and bulky furniture. Since guidelines vary slightly by region, always check with your local branch.
Beauty Product Donations — Together She Can. Many of our gift boxes, mini and premium, include new or gently used beauty products. These products (full and sample size) include: makeup kits, lipstick, eyeshadow, chapstick, perfume, deodorant, blush, brushes, mascara, eyeliner, foundation, and more!
While Goodwill provides job training, some people choose not to donate there due to its business model. Common concerns include criticisms over executive compensation, the use of sub-minimum wage exemptions for some disabled workers, and the fact that unsellable donations often end up in landfills rather than going directly to people in need.
No, Goodwill does not wash clothes before selling them. Because they process millions of donations annually, it is not logistically or financially feasible to launder every item.
Goodwill invests about 77% to 90% of its combined retail revenues back into its mission of providing job training, employment placement services, and community programs. The remaining 10% to 23% pays for overhead, such as employee wages, rent, utilities, and store operations.
Under current IRS guidelines, a standard 100% deduction on your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for cash donations is generally no longer available. Congress previously allowed a temporary 100% AGI cap during the pandemic, but deductions now return to standard limits ranging from 20% to 60% depending on the organization and donation type.
The most overlooked tax break depends on your situation, but the Saver’s Credit (Retirement Savings Contributions Credit) and out-of-pocket charitable/medical expenses consistently top the list. These breaks reduce your tax bill dollar-for-dollar without requiring you to itemize.
The best time to donate to Goodwill is weekday mornings between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. This ensures you avoid weekend rushes and long donation lines.