Some things seem donation-worthy, but they actually cause more harm than good.
Donating old items feels like a responsible and generous thing to do. It keeps things out of landfills and helps people in need, right? Not always. Charities and thrift stores are flooded with donations they can’t use, and many of those items end up in the trash anyway. While your intentions might be good, some things just aren’t fit for donation.
Organizations spend time and money sorting through piles of unusable items, and many of them get thrown away, clogging up their resources. Some donations can even be harmful—spreading bacteria, creating safety hazards, or costing more to clean and repair than they’re worth. If you’re planning to declutter, make sure you’re donating things that actually help.
Here are the items you should stop donating immediately because they’re better off being tossed, recycled, or disposed of properly.
1. Used undergarments are unsanitary and almost never resold.
You might think that thrift stores and shelters can use donated bras, underwear, and socks, but most of these items go straight to the trash. Even if they’ve been washed, personal hygiene items like these aren’t typically accepted due to health concerns. No one wants to wear someone else’s worn-out undergarments, and organizations can’t take the risk of passing along unsanitary items.
Instead of donating, consider repurposing or recycling, as stated by the writers at Knix. Old bras can sometimes be taken to specialty donation programs that distribute them to women in need. Socks can be used for cleaning rags or even pet toys. If they’re too far gone, the best option is to toss them.
2. Broken or heavily damaged furniture is a burden for thrift stores.
It might feel wasteful to throw away a couch or table just because it’s a little wobbly, but if it’s broken, thrift stores won’t be able to resell it. Donated furniture needs to be in good condition—no major stains, missing parts, or structural damage. If it’s falling apart, charities have to spend money disposing of it, which defeats the purpose of donating.
If the piece can be repaired, consider fixing it before donating. Otherwise, see if it can be repurposed for another use in your home, or check if your city offers bulk trash pickup for large items. Leaving broken furniture at a donation center just shifts the problem onto someone else, instead try finding a service that will dispose of it for you, as reported by Ava Johns at Turbo Tenant.
3. Expired food donations create more waste than they help.
Food pantries appreciate donations, but expired items are a huge problem. Many well-meaning people clean out their pantries and drop off old canned goods, but expired food can’t be distributed. Sorting through unusable food wastes time and resources, and a lot of it ends up getting tossed.
If you wouldn’t eat it yourself, don’t donate it. Instead, donate non-perishable foods that still have plenty of shelf life left. If you have expired items, check to see if they’re still safe to consume and use them up yourself to avoid waste, according to the writers at Feeding America.
4. Used mattresses and pillows are a health hazard.
Mattresses and pillows absorb sweat, dust mites, and bacteria over time, making them one of the worst items to donate. Many states have laws against reselling used mattresses, and even if a charity accepts them, they often can’t be given to people in need.
If your mattress is still in decent shape, check if your area has a recycling program for it. Some companies offer mattress disposal services, and in some cases, local shelters might accept lightly used mattresses if they meet strict health guidelines. Otherwise, it’s best to follow your city’s bulk trash disposal rules.
5. Electronics that don’t work just create more e-waste.
A thrift store isn’t a tech repair shop. If you’re donating old TVs, computers, or small appliances that don’t turn on, you’re giving someone else the responsibility of disposing of them. Charities can’t resell broken electronics, and most don’t have the resources to repair them.
Instead of donating, look for an electronics recycling program in your area. Many retailers and cities offer e-waste drop-off events where old electronics can be safely disposed of or refurbished by professionals.
6. Magazines and outdated textbooks have little to no value.
Stacks of old magazines might seem like a nice donation, but they rarely get reused. Libraries, schools, and thrift stores don’t have the space for endless piles of outdated reading material. Textbooks are even worse—most are updated so frequently that older editions become useless.
If the magazines are in great condition, some art programs or community centers may accept them for crafting projects. Otherwise, they belong in the recycling bin.
7. Baby gear can be dangerous if it doesn’t meet safety standards.
Car seats, cribs, and other baby items have strict safety regulations, and many older models don’t meet current guidelines. Car seats, in particular, have expiration dates, and donating an expired one can put a child at risk.
If baby items are still in good condition, check with local family shelters or parenting groups to see if they accept them. Otherwise, dispose of them according to safety guidelines.
8. Old makeup and personal care items are unhygienic.
Half-used lipstick, old foundation, or expired skincare products should never be donated. These items collect bacteria over time, and no one wants to use someone else’s leftover beauty products. Even unopened products can expire, making them unsafe to use.
Toss old makeup and personal care items in the trash unless they’re still brand new and within their expiration dates. Some beauty brands have recycling programs where you can return old packaging for proper disposal.
9. Torn or stained clothing won’t help anyone.
Thrift stores receive more clothing than they can handle, and they have to sort through piles of donations to weed out the unwearable ones. If an item is heavily stained, ripped, or falling apart, it’s not going to get sold—it’s just going to take up space before being thrown away.
If clothing is still wearable but just needs a wash, clean it before donating. If it’s too far gone, repurpose it into cleaning rags or check if any textile recycling programs are available in your area.
10. Outdated medical supplies and prescription medications can’t be reused.
Many people don’t realize that medical supplies, even unused ones, can’t be donated unless they meet very specific guidelines. Prescription medications, expired over-the-counter drugs, and even old medical equipment often can’t be legally distributed.
If you have medical supplies to get rid of, check with a local health clinic or organization that specializes in medical donations. For prescription drugs, pharmacies and police stations often have drop-off programs for safe disposal.
11. Holiday decorations that are broken or missing parts won’t be resold.
Thrift stores are already overloaded with holiday decorations, and the last thing they need is broken or incomplete sets. If you have tangled lights with missing bulbs, half-missing nativity scenes, or cracked ornaments, they’re better off being tossed.
If the decorations are in good shape but you just don’t use them anymore, consider donating them to a local community center, school, or thrift store well before the holiday season. Anything damaged beyond repair should go in the trash.