What Items Can Be Donated Instead of Thrown Away?
A lot of what people throw away still has plenty of life left. Donating keeps usable items out of the landfill and helps San Diego families. Here's what's typically welcome.
Commonly accepted donations
- Furniture in good condition — sofas, tables, dressers, chairs
- Working appliances — microwaves, small kitchen appliances
- Electronics that still function — TVs, computers, speakers
- Clothing, shoes, linens and bedding (clean)
- Kitchenware, dishes and small household goods
- Building materials — cabinets, doors, fixtures (reuse centers)
What charities usually can't take
- Stained, torn or heavily worn furniture
- Mattresses (most decline for hygiene reasons)
- Broken or non-working appliances and electronics
- Recalled items, hazardous materials, or anything unsafe
When we do a cleanout, we set aside donatable items and take them to local charities for you — so the good stuff gets reused automatically.
Doing a cleanout? We'll donate the good stuff for you — get a quote.
(619) 999-3565Frequently asked questions
What household items can be donated instead of thrown away?
Furniture in good shape, working appliances and electronics, clean clothing and linens, kitchenware, and reusable building materials are all commonly accepted by San Diego charities and reuse centers.
Can I donate a mattress or broken appliance?
Usually not — most charities decline mattresses for hygiene reasons and won't take broken appliances or electronics. Those should be recycled instead, which we handle.
Will you donate items from my cleanout for me?
Yes. During any cleanout we set aside usable items and deliver them to local charities, so donatable goods are reused rather than landfilled — at no extra step for you.
