What can be donated and what cannot

Short answer: Donate whole, clean items with no holes or stains. Worn clothing, underwear and odd socks belong in textile collection instead. A quick check and a wash make sure what you drop off can actually be used by someone else.

It must be usable by someone else

A donation is only a real donation if someone can actually wear the item without repairing it first. That applies to a bamboo tank top for men and everything else you drop off. Look through the clothes in good light and set them aside if you find holes, stains or loose seams. Those belong elsewhere.

Wash first

Dirty clothes are sorted out at the receiving end and end up as waste, even if the item is intact. Wash everything before dropping it off, including bamboo socks given in pairs. Let the clothes dry fully before bagging them, so they do not smell or turn damp. Clean clothes have the best chance of being used.

The rest goes to collection

Worn clothing can still be recycled, but it belongs in textile collection, not the charity shop. That also applies to items from best sellers for men that are worn out. When worn clothes end up in a shop, someone has to spend time sorting them out again. In collection, they go straight to recycling.

Socks go in pairs

Nobody can use a single sock as it is. Pair up socks before dropping them off, and tie or fold them together so they do not get separated in the bag. Any odd socks left over belong in textile collection. The same goes for socks with holes in the heel or toe, even if they are clean.

Underwear only if unworn

Used underwear cannot be donated, however neat it looks. Only unworn underwear in its original packaging can be passed on. If you have a pack in the wrong size that was never opened, it makes a good donation. All used underwear belongs in textile collection, where it can be recycled as fibre.

Fold and gather the clothes

Fold the clothes neatly and gather them in a bag or box that closes. Keep similar items together, for example all T-shirts in one pile. That helps the people receiving them sort quickly. A closed bag also protects the clothes from rain and dirt if it has to wait a while.

Find the right place

Charity shops and collection bins accept different things. Some want only whole, clean items, while others also take worn clothes for recycling. Read the sign on the bin or ask in the shop if you are unsure. That way the clothes end up in the right place from the start.

Do it regularly

It is easier to donate a little at a time than to clear a whole wardrobe in one day. Keep a bag somewhere for things you no longer wear. When it is full, drop it off. That way clothes are passed on while they are still in good shape and someone else can enjoy them.

Frequently asked questions

Can you donate underwear

Only unworn and in its original packaging. Used underwear belongs in textile collection, where it can be recycled as fibre instead of being passed on.

Do clothes need washing first

Yes, otherwise they are sorted out. Let them dry fully before they go in the bag, so they do not turn damp or start to smell.

Where do you drop off worn clothes

In textile collection at a recycling centre or in a dedicated bin. Read the sign on the bin so you know whether it also accepts worn clothing.