Where to donate clothing, furniture & household items in Charlotte

If you're clearing out a closet, getting ready for a move, or just trying to get some things out of your house, there are plenty of places to donate unwanted items in Charlotte. From clothing and household goods to furniture and appliances, local organizations can give the things you no longer need a second life.

Before you start filling boxes and bags, make a plan for where everything is going. You don't want to create a new pile of clutter by leaving bags of donations in your garage or car trunk for months. And not every donation center accepts every type of item!

Below are a few places to donate in the Charlotte area, along with what they accept and what they don't. Whether you're looking for somewhere to donate clothing, furniture, household items, or a mix of things, this list can help you figure out where your unwanted items should go.

Where to donate unwanted items in Charlotte

Crisis Assistance Ministry

500-A Spratt St., Charlotte, NC 28206

Best for: Clothing, linens, personal care items, and everyday household goods

Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Free Store provides clothing, household items and other essentials free of charge to individuals and families in Mecklenburg County. There are no income qualifications to receive items from the Free Store.

This is a particularly good option if you're clearing out practical items that could be useful to someone setting up or maintaining a home, from clothing and bedding to kitchenware and personal care products.

Accepts: Clothing, school uniforms, shoes/socks, new underwear, bedding and linens, towels, kitchenware, luggage, backpacks, hygiene products and small household goods such as lightbulbs, batteries, umbrellas and coffeemakers.

Doesn't accept: Furniture, mattresses, toys, books and magazines, computers and electronics, food or medicine, baby equipment, large appliances, gardening tools, medical equipment, or exercise and sports equipment.

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont

Multiple drop-off locations around Charlotte, including Dilworth, Myers Park, SouthPark, Ballantyne and other parts of the city.

Best for: A broad mix of clothing, household items, and electronics

Goodwill has lots of drop-off locations around Charlotte, including in Dilworth, Myers Park, SouthPark, Ballantyne and other parts of the city.

With drop-off locations throughout the Charlotte area, Goodwill is a convenient option for a wide range of everyday items. It's especially useful when you're clearing out several different categories at once and want to make one donation drop-off.

Goodwill sells donated items through its retail stores, with proceeds supporting its mission of providing job training and employment services in the community.

Accepts: Clothing, shoes, books, housewares, décor, textiles, furniture, small appliances, electronics, sports equipment, toys and more.

Doesn't accept: mattresses/box springs, bed pillows, hazardous materials, children's car seats, drop-side cribs, non-flat-screen TVs and recalled items.

The Salvation Army

Various drop-off locations around Charlotte

Best for: Furniture, appliances, clothing, and household goods

The Salvation Army is a good option when you're clearing out some of the bigger items in your home. In addition to clothing and everyday household goods, many locations accept furniture, mattresses and working appliances.

Accepts: Furniture, mattresses, working appliances, clothing, shoes, bedding, dishes, cookware, books, computers, phones, bicycles, sports equipment and toys.

Doesn't accept: Broken or dirty appliances, gas appliances, built-in appliances, older/large console TVs, paint and chemicals, kerosene/gas heaters and automotive parts.

Habitat for Humanity Charlotte Region ReStore

Dropoffs available at ReStore locations in Charlotte, Cornelius, Gastonia, Mooresville, Pineville and Statesville

Best for: Furniture, home decor, appliances, and home improvement materials

Habitat for Humanity Charlotte Region ReStores accept a wide range of household items and resell them to support Habitat's affordable housing work. They're a particularly good option when you're clearing out larger items from your home.

Habitat offers free pickup for qualifying large donations, so you don't necessarily need to figure out how to get a sofa or other bulky items to the ReStore yourself. Pickup should be scheduled in advance, so plan accordingly if you're working toward a move or a larger home cleanout. You can schedule a free pick up for large items (schedule 1-2 weeks out). 

Accepts: Sofas, chairs, tables, dressers, bookshelves, desks, bed frames, home décor, dishes, cookware, media, game tables and certain sporting goods. They also accept select larger household and home improvement items.

Doesn't accept: Clothing, linens, toys, baby items, luggage, mattresses and box springs, large executive desks, entertainment centers and several other categories.

Ask yourself: would someone else actually want this?

If something is stained, broken, missing pieces, recalled, unsafe, or otherwise unusable, putting it in a donation bag doesn't make it a donation.  If you're unsure whether something is worth donating, think about what you'd feel comfortable giving to a friend. If you’re not, it’s best to consider trash, recycling, or another disposal option instead. 

Need some help decluttering?

If you've been meaning to declutter your home but aren't sure where to start (or what to do with everything once you've made your decisions) Edit & Organize can help. 

As part of your home organizing session, your organizer will take one car full of donations per day, so you don't have to figure out how to get everything to a donation center yourself. It's one small way we can make the process of letting go a little easier, and to help make sure those bags and boxes don't end up sitting in your garage for the next six months.

Get in touch and we'll work with you to sort through what you have, decide what stays, and create a plan for everything that's ready to leave your home.

Note: Donation policies change, so please check each organization's current guidelines before making a trip!