Declutter, Donate, And Do Some Good
6 Local Places to Donate Your Gently Used Items in The Wake Forest, Raleigh & Surrounding Areas
You did it. You cleaned out the closet, tackled the cluttered cabinets, and finally opened that box that’s been sitting for who knows how long. Now you’re staring at a pile of bags and boxes labeled “donate”.
Now comes the question we hear all the time from our clients at The Orderly Sort: “Where should I take all of these donations?”
Luckily, there are some wonderful organizations in and around Wake Forest and Raleigh where your gently used belongings can get a second life, as well as support a great cause.
Durham Rescue Mission
This is a great option when you have a little bit of everything. Durham Rescue Mission accepts many types of gently used clothing, furniture, housewares, toys, books and other household items through its thrift stores. Their proceeds help support programs for people experiencing homelessness and those working toward greater stability.
Specific items they DO NOT accept:
Bicycle or motorcycle helmets
Broken furniture or any well-used items with rips, missing parts, stains, bugs, pet hair, or odor
Tube TVs (only flat screen accepted)
China cabinets
Visit their website - Durham Rescue Mission
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree accepts quality home décor, kitchenware, books, seasonal items, furniture and more. Their proceeds from donated items help support educational and extracurricular programs at participating schools in Wake Forest and Youngsville. It's a great way to give things you no longer need a new home while helping local students along the way….and you get to choose the school that the donation goes to help! Talk about a win-win!
Specific items they DO NOT accept:
Clothes and shoes
Small kitchen appliances such as coffee makers and toaster ovens are only accepted if brand new, never used
Electronics such as computers, printers, TVs, radios and VHS
Baby items & toys in the 0–2 year old range
Large appliances such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers
Encyclopedias, magazines, and books in poor condition/writing on the inside
Bed frames, headboards, and foot boards
Mattresses, futon pads, used bed sheets, and used towels
Large gym equipment, skis, and pendant lights/chandeliers
Visit their website - Donate – The Giving Tree Foundation
Safe Space Inc.
Sometimes the things you no longer need can mean so much more to someone else. Safe Space Inc. supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, providing resources, advocacy and a safe place for women and families as they work toward a new beginning.
Donating gently used clothing, household items and other needed goods through their thrift store is a simple way to support that mission. The items taking up space in your home could help provide comfort, resources and a fresh start for someone in our neighboring community. That makes letting go feel especially meaningful.
Be sure to check their website for donation drop off hours.
Visit their website - Safe Space Inc. in Louisburg, NC
ReTails Thrift Store
Animal lovers, this one's for you! ReTails Thrift Shop in Raleigh is operated by AnimalKind, and proceeds help provide affordable spay/neuter services and other veterinary care for pets in our community.
ReTails accepts a variety of gently used clothing, furniture, home décor, kitchenware and other household items. So that lamp that no longer matches your style or the stack of décor you've been storing “just in case”? It could be time to let it go, all while helping a furry friend in the process. Now that's decluttering you can feel good about!
Visit their website - ReTails Thrift Store | AnimalKind.org
Dress for Success
Are you ready to part with professional/business attire you aren't wearing anymore? Dress for Success accepts select current, interview and workplace appropriate women's clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories to help women prepare for employment and career opportunities. You’re giving a woman the confidence, dignity, and readiness she needs to take the next step in her career.
Please note: An appointment isn’t required. However, individual clothing donations are accepted only during the scheduled Clothing Donation Days listed on their website.
Visit their website - Home - Dress for Success Triangle NC
Anything With A Plug Recycling
What about the electronics and small appliances that have officially reached the end of their useful life? Anything With a Plug Recycling accepts a wide variety of electronics and items with cords or plugs for responsible recycling. Think old computers, TVs, printers, small appliances, cables, cords and other electronics that have been taking up space because you simply weren’t sure what to do with them.
It’s a great reminder that decluttering doesn’t always mean donate or trash. Sometimes recycling is the best next stop and getting that box of old electronics out of the closet feels pretty good, too!
Specific items they DO NOT accept:
Styrofoam
CRT tube type TVs and monitors
Projection type TVs
Lightbulbs
Wood items
Smoke alarms
VHS or magnetic films
Photographic films
Mattresses or air mattresses
Furniture
Visit their website - Electronics Recycling | Anything With A Plug Recycling
Before You Load Up The Car
Here's my favorite donation test: “Would you feel good handing this item directly to another person”?
If yes, in the donation box it goes!
If that shirt has stains, holes, picks, odor or has simply seen much better days, it's probably time to consider textile recycling instead. The same applies to broken, heavily stained, incomplete or unusable household items.
In other words, donating should be about passing something along—not passing along your trash.
And remember, some items aren't appropriate for donation due to safety concerns. Most organizations will NOT accept car seats, cribs, pack n plays, helmets, life jackets, or any recall products. Always check an organization's current guidelines before loading up the car.
Decluttering feels even better when the things leaving your home can do a little good along the way. Whether helping a local family, supporting students, giving a woman a fresh start, helping an animal in need, or being responsibly recycled, taking a few extra minutes to choose the right destination can make a difference.
And if figuring out what stays and what goes feels a little overwhelming - that’s where we come in!
The Orderly Sort offer professional home organization services throughout Wake Forest, Raleigh and surrounding areas, and we’re here to help with whatever your home needs—from decluttering and organizing a single space to whole-home projects, unpacking and home setup, holiday and event decorating, and more.