Shelter
As of , Shelter publishes donation guidance covering 23 of the 110 items in this directory: 12 they can't accept, 5 they may accept in some cases and 6 they accept.
General shops and dedicated Furniture Shops have different rules — furniture and some electricals go to the Furniture Shops.
Furniture
5-
Can't accept
Their wording
“damaged or broken furniture”
-
Can't accept
Applies at Furniture Shops, the only Shelter locations that take furniture; required by law.
Their wording
“upholstered items without a fire label (this is required by law)”
-
Check first
Accepted at Shelter's dedicated furniture shops, with collection available. Upholstered pieces need a fire safety label.
Their wording
“furniture (everything from beds, sofas, mattresses, chests of drawers, tables etc.)”
-
Check first
Only accepted at Shelter's dedicated furniture shops (Erdington, Sunderland, Preston) as part of furniture donations/collection service
Their wording
“furniture (everything from beds, sofas, mattresses, chests of drawers, tables etc.)”
-
Accepted
Listed under 'What we accept' on the Erdington furniture shop page.
Their wording
“furniture (everything from beds, sofas, mattresses, chests of drawers, tables etc.)”
Homeware & household
1-
Accepted
Their wording
“good quality ceramic tableware”
Electrical
2-
Can't accept
White goods are excluded even at Furniture Shops.
Their wording
“white goods”
-
Check first
Small electricals (lights, lamps, kettles) accepted only at Furniture Shops and only in good condition.
Their wording
“electrical items such as lights, lamps and kettles”
Health & beauty
1-
Can't accept
Their wording
“opened cosmetics and toiletries”
Sharps & weapons
1-
Can't accept
Their wording
“knives of any sort”
Food & drink
2-
Can't accept
Their wording
“food and drink”
-
Can't accept
Their wording
“food and drink”
Media & books
3-
Can't accept
Their wording
“adult or explicit material”
-
Check first
Listed under 'We're especially in need of' — vinyl records are explicitly welcomed. However, the same page separately states 'We can't accept: CDs or DVDs', so CDs are excluded while vinyl is accepted.
Their wording
“vinyl and laserdisc in working condition”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“any genre of books”
Bedding & textiles
2-
Can't accept
Their wording
“used bedding, blankets, duvets, pillows or towels”
-
Check first
Only used bedding, duvets and pillows are refused.
Their wording
“used bedding, blankets, duvets, pillows or towels”
Clothing & accessories
6-
Can't accept
Underwear/pyjamas need new tags; swimwear needs new tags plus a hygiene strip.
Their wording
“underwear or pyjamas without new tags”
-
Can't accept
Underwear/pyjamas need new tags; swimwear needs new tags plus a hygiene strip.
Their wording
“underwear or pyjamas without new tags”
-
Can't accept
Underwear/pyjamas need new tags; swimwear needs new tags plus a hygiene strip.
Their wording
“underwear or pyjamas without new tags”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“premium quality branded clothes and shoes – new or preloved”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“jewellery – either modern or vintage”
-
Accepted
Their wording
“premium quality branded clothes and shoes – new or preloved”
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 CDs and DVDs (all, regardless of rating) — “CDs or DVDs”