Cleaning out your garage or decluttering your home? Donating usable items keeps them out of landfills and supports our neighbors in need. But knowing what local charities accept — and in what condition — can be confusing. This guide covers major Houston-area organizations like The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStore, plus tips to prepare your donations so they can be used again.
Accepts clothing, furniture, appliances, vehicles. Items should work and be clean. They offer pickup for larger donations.
call for pickupClothing, housewares, electronics, small furniture. Must be in sellable condition. Multiple Houston donation centers.
no large appliancesBuilding materials, appliances, furniture, tools. Great for construction leftovers, cabinets, windows, doors.
they often pick upBe My Neighbor (furniture for refugees), Star of Hope (clothing), local animal shelters (towels, blankets).
call aheadOur city sends millions of tons to landfills each year — but many items could be reused. Donating supports job training programs (like Goodwill's) and affordable housing (Habitat). And after storms like Harvey, donated goods helped thousands recover. Even when you hire Dumpster rental for a major cleanout, you can set aside donations for a separate pickup. Every bit counts.
| item category | salvation army | goodwill | habitat restore | condition needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 👕 clothing | yes | yes | no | clean, no rips/stains |
| 🪑 furniture | yes (large ok) | small/medium only | yes | no major damage, no bed bugs |
| 📺 electronics | working, recent | working | select items | test before donating |
| 🔧 tools | yes | yes | yes | working, no rust |
| 🏚️ building materials | no | no | yes (doors, windows, lumber) | usable, no rot |
| 🍽️ kitchenware | yes | yes | select | clean, no chips/cracks |
A few minutes of prep makes your items more likely to be resold or used — and keeps them out of the trash.
Most charities have drop-off centers with posted hours. For large furniture or multiple items, many offer free pickup — but you may need to schedule weeks ahead. When you're doing a major cleanout, you can combine donation pickup with a find us service: have pros haul away trash while donations are set aside for charity. This saves time and ensures items go where they're needed.
For these items, check with the City of Houston's environmental service or a Dumpster rental company for proper disposal.
Donating is a win‑win: you clear space, help neighbors, and reduce waste. By knowing what local charities accept and prepping items well, you make the process smooth for everyone. And when items truly can't be reused, responsible disposal — sometimes with a professional Dumpster rental — ensures they don't harm our bayous and bays. Every thoughtful choice adds up.