🎁 How to Identify Donation-Ready Items: A Guide for Bay Area Homeowners
Salvation Army · St. Vincent de Paul · Habitat ReStore · keep usable goods local
Before you haul items to the curb, take a moment to consider whether they could have a second life.
Across the Bay Area—from Solano to Contra Costa, Alameda to San Francisco—local charities rely on donations of gently used items to support their missions.
But not everything can be accepted. This easy‑to‑use guide helps you quickly decide what to donate, what to recycle, and what belongs in the trash, keeping usable items in our communities.
JUNK180 also offers donation pickup for items you'd like to give away.
Furniture
Donate if: Clean, no rips, stains, or odors. All drawers and doors function. No pet damage.
- Sofas, tables, dressers
- Bed frames (no missing parts)
- Stained mattresses
- Broken or wobbly items
Wipe down first
Clothing & textiles
Donate if: Clean, no holes, stains, or missing buttons. Gently worn or new.
- All seasons clothing
- Shoes (pairs tied together)
- Belts, hats, bags
- Soiled or torn items
Bag or box them
Appliances
Donate if: Working, clean, with all parts. Refrigerators must have doors removed.
- Stoves, microwaves
- Washers, dryers (working)
- Non‑working units
- Units with missing knobs
Call ahead
Electronics
Donate if: Working, less than 7 years old. No broken screens.
- TVs (flat screen)
- Computers, printers
- CRT (tube) TVs
- Broken electronics
Remove batteries
Bay Area charity partners
- Salvation Army (multiple locations): Accepts furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances. Must be clean and working. They offer donation receipts and sometimes pickup.
- St. Vincent de Paul (San Francisco, Contra Costa, Solano): Takes furniture, appliances, and household goods. Serves local families directly. Call ahead for large items.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore (East Bay, San Francisco, Napa): Accepts building materials, appliances, furniture, and home goods. Proceeds fund affordable housing.
- Goodwill (Bay Area wide): Clothing, furniture, electronics. Funds job training programs. Many locations offer donation drop‑offs.
- JUNK180 (Benicia): Offers donation pickup—they'll collect your usable items and transport them to local charities, saving you time. They serve Solano, Contra Costa, Napa, Alameda, Marin, SF, and Sonoma.
Quick donation tips
- Call ahead: Charity hours and acceptance policies can change. A quick call saves a trip.
- Clean items: Wipe down furniture, launder clothes. Items sell better and are appreciated.
- Check for recalls: Cribs, car seats, and some electronics may be recalled—donate only if safe.
- Tax receipts: Ask for a receipt; you may be able to deduct the value on your taxes.
- When in doubt, ask: If you're unsure about an item, charities are happy to advise.
80%+ SF diversion rate
707-377-3221 JUNK180 contact
When to dispose
Items that are broken, stained, ripped, or non‑working generally cannot be donated. Mattresses with stains, torn sofas, and old CRT TVs are examples. For these, professional junk removal (like JUNK180) ensures they are disposed of responsibly, with recycling where possible.