Dorothy House
As of , Dorothy House publishes donation guidance covering 57 of the 110 items in this directory: 41 they can't accept, 6 they may accept in some cases and 10 they accept.
Disposing of donations that don't meet the guidelines costs Dorothy House £70,000 a year; donors are encouraged to call their local shop if unsure.
Baby & children
4-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Baby carries, car seats , buggies and prams”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Baby/toddler beds and cots”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“High chairs”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Baby carries, car seats , buggies and prams”
Toys & games
4-
Can't accept
Applies to all toys without a CE/UKCE mark
Their wording
“Toys without a CE or UKCE label”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“We welcome books, toys (soft, metal, wooden and plastic), complete jigsaw puzzles and board games, outdoor toys, and action figures, to name just a few.”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“books, toys (soft, metal, wooden and plastic), complete jigsaw puzzles and board games, outdoor toys, and action figures”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“books, toys (soft, metal, wooden and plastic), complete jigsaw puzzles and board games, outdoor toys, and action figures”
Furniture
5-
Can't accept
Glass TV stands specifically named
Their wording
“Glass TV stands”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Pianos”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Upholstered furniture that has no fire label”
-
Check first
Flat packed/dismantled furniture only accepted if instructions are included
Their wording
“Flat packed furniture without instructions”
- Check first
Homeware & household
5-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Carpet remnants”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Old coat hangers”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Candles without warning labels”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“quality donations of homeware accessories such as cushions, lamps, decorative pieces and ornaments, kitchenware, photo frames and mirrors”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“quality donations of homeware accessories such as cushions, lamps, decorative pieces and ornaments, kitchenware, photo frames and mirrors”
Electrical
8-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Electric blankets”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Electric showers”
-
Can't accept
Includes gas cookers, patio heaters, and oil/gas Agas
Their wording
“Gas appliances – mains or bottled”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Sun-beds and tanning equipment”
-
Can't accept
Also excludes plasma TVs
Their wording
“Older style CRT TVs (deep back)”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Waste disposal units”
-
Check first
Computers/laptops only if hard drive professionally cleaned or removed; mobile phones only if factory reset
Their wording
“unless the hard drive has been professionally cleaned or removed”
-
Check first
Oil filled radiators only accepted if fitted with a thermostat; mobile oil heaters not accepted
Their wording
“Oil filled radiators without thermostats”
DIY & garden
1-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Chainsaws”
Safety equipment
3-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Safety harnesses of any sort”
-
Can't accept
Covers cycling, motorcycle and riding helmets
Their wording
“Safety helmets – cycling, motorcycle and riding”
-
Can't accept
Also excludes inflatable dinghies
Their wording
“Buoyancy aids, lifejackets and inflatable dinghies”
Mobility & medical
1-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Medication including vitamins”
Health & beauty
2-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Prescription spectacles”
-
Can't accept
Only sealed toiletries accepted
Their wording
“Unsealed toiletries”
Sharps & weapons
3-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Fireworks”
-
Can't accept
Includes real or imitation firearms, swords, crossbows, air rifles and BB guns
Their wording
“Firearms –real or imitation”
-
Check first
Only accepted as part of a complete cutlery set
Their wording
“Knives of any kind unless in a complete cutlery set”
Hazardous materials
2-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Cleaning agents, solvents and Adhesives”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Petrol or diesel fuelled garden tools”
Food & drink
3-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Alcohol”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Perishable goods, food and drink”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Perishable goods, food and drink”
Media & books
3-
Can't accept
Also excludes non region 0/2 DVDs, R18-rated DVDs and home-recorded software
Their wording
“Home recorded DVDs, video and audio tapes”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“books, toys (soft, metal, wooden and plastic), complete jigsaw puzzles and board games, outdoor toys, and action figures”
-
Accepted
Page explicitly welcomes vinyl records; no explicit general statement about CDs was found (only a narrow exclusion for 'CDs and DVDs given away free with publications').
Their wording
“We also welcome pre-loved vinyl of all genres.”
Restricted materials
4-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Counterfeits or fakes of any type”
-
Can't accept
Ivory goods dated after 1947 and clothing with real fur
Their wording
“Clothing with real fur”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Lighters”
-
Check first
Only ivory goods produced after 1947 are refused.
Their wording
“Ivory goods after 1947”
Bedding & textiles
1-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Used duvets and pillows”
Clothing & accessories
6-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Hooded clothing with a draw cord”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“Nightwear without fire warning labels”
-
Can't accept
Used underwear is refused; only brand-new underwear and socks with tags are accepted.
Their wording
“Donated underwear and socks must be brand-new with tags.”
-
Accepted
School uniform is separately listed as not accepted.
Their wording
“men's, women's and children's clothing and shoes”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“accessories such as belts, bags and jewellery”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“men's, women's and children's clothing and shoes”
Sport & outdoor
2- Can't accept
-
Can't accept
Also excludes inflatable dinghies
Their wording
“Buoyancy aids, lifejackets and inflatable dinghies”
Other things they mention
More rules from their donation guidance, in their own words — these don't have their own page on this site yet:
- Can't accept Soft furnishings from before 1988
- Can't accept Baby carriers
- Can't accept Patio heaters
- Can't accept School uniform
- Can't accept Clothing marked with name tags
- Can't accept CDs/DVDs given away free with publications
- Can't accept Used computer software
- Can't accept Computer games without original packaging/age labels