What Does the Salvation Army Accept? Full 2026 Donation List
✍️ LargestCharities Editorial Team|📅 Last updated: June 2026
The Salvation Army takes a wide range of gently used goods for its Family Stores, and the resale funds its social-service programs. But it also turns away a long list of items, usually for safety, health, or resale reasons. This guide gives the full accepted and not-accepted lists for 2026, plus a quick lookup table for the most common "does the Salvation Army take this?" questions.
What the Salvation Army accepts
At Family Store donation centers, the Salvation Army generally accepts gently used:
Clothing, shoes, and accessories for all ages and sizes, clean and wearable.
Furniture that is structurally sound and clean: sofas, chairs, tables, dressers, bed frames.
Small appliances that work and have all parts: microwaves, toasters, coffee makers, blenders.
Electronics like flat-screen TVs, computers, and phones (policies on older electronics vary by location).
Toys that are clean, complete, and functional.
Linens and bedding: towels, sheets, blankets, in clean condition.
What the Salvation Army will not accept
These are commonly refused, mostly for safety, health, or resale reasons:
Mattresses and box springs (most locations, due to health rules)
Car seats and helmets (safety-history and liability concerns)
Cribs made before 2011 (federal safety standards changed)
Recalled items of any kind
Clothing or furniture with holes, stains, or major damage
Large console TVs and TVs more than about five years old; non-working or cordless appliances; gas appliances
Car parts, tires, and batteries
Paint, solvents, chemicals, and other hazardous materials; broken glass
Medical supplies (capacity limits at thrift stores)
Old magazines (recycle these unless vintage or collectible)
Worn-out clothing is not a donation. Heavily stained or damaged textiles go straight to waste and add cost for store staff. Send those to a textile-recycling program (many H&M and Patagonia stores, plus municipal programs) instead.
Does the Salvation Army take ___? Quick table
Item
Accepted?
Notes
Couches and sofas
Yes
Clean, structurally sound; call ahead for pickup.
Mattresses / box springs
No
Refused at most locations on health grounds.
Flat-screen TVs
Usually
Working flat screens yes; console or old (5+ yr) TVs no.
Clothing
Yes
Clean and wearable; no holes or stains.
Sheets, towels, bedding
Yes
Clean condition.
Books, DVDs, CDs
Yes
Resold in stores.
Small kitchen appliances
Yes
Must work and have all parts.
Tools
Often
Hand and power tools in working order; confirm locally.
Policies vary by local command, so call your nearest store before bringing large loads. To donate big items without hauling them, schedule a Salvation Army pickup, and use our donation value guide for the tax receipt.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Salvation Army accept?
Gently used clothing, furniture, small working appliances, kitchenware, books and media, flat-screen electronics, toys, and clean linens. Items must be in resale condition.
What will the Salvation Army not take?
Mattresses and box springs, car seats, cribs made before 2011, helmets, recalled items, damaged or stained goods, old or console TVs, car parts and tires, paint and chemicals, and medical supplies.
Does the Salvation Army take mattresses?
No, most locations cannot accept mattresses or box springs because of health regulations. Check with your local store, but plan on this being a no.
Does the Salvation Army take TVs?
Working flat-screen TVs are usually accepted. Large console TVs and televisions more than about five years old are not.
Does the Salvation Army take furniture with stains or damage?
No. Furniture must be clean and structurally sound. Torn, stained, or broken pieces are refused because they cannot be resold.
Sources: Salvation Army Family Store and Adult Rehabilitation Center donation policies (satruck.org), and reporting from Waste Removal USA, Yahoo, and AOL on items the Salvation Army cannot accept. We are not affiliated with the Salvation Army. Errors: [email protected]