All items · Electrical
Working small electrical items
Also covers: working electricals, small electricals, kettle, toaster, lamp, radio, hairdryer, PAT tested
Can you donate working small electrical items to a UK charity shop? It depends.
Before donating
Working small electricals are accepted by some charity shops, but the shop must be able to inspect and electrically safety-test them before sale.
Prepare it like this
Clean the item, include its lead and accessories, and check that it works. Ask first because testing facilities and the types accepted vary by shop.
Charity by charity
81 mentions-
Can't accept
Ardgowan Hospice category-wide rule
Whole "electrical items" category listed as currently not accepted.
Their wording
“Currently we CANNOT accept: -Toys, large furniture or electrical items.”
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Can't accept
Claire House Children's Hospice category-wide rule
Blanket exclusion of electrical items, though brand-new factory-sealed hard drives, SD cards or USB sticks are excepted.
Their wording
“Electrical items”
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Can't accept
Cransley Hospice Trust category-wide rule
Listed under 'Unfortunately, we are unable to accept some items' ('Electrical items, Kitchen equipment and utensils, Used baby equipment including car seats and prams/pushchairs, Bikes') with no exceptions stated.
Their wording
“Electrical items”
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Can't accept
Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland category-wide rule
Applies to all electrical items
Their wording
“Electrical and medical items”
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Can't accept
Katharine House Hospice, Banbury category-wide rule
Listed under 'Unfortunately, we're unable to accept' on the shop donations page.
Their wording
“Electrical items or any furniture.”
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Can't accept
Phyllis Tuckwell category-wide rule
No electrical items are currently accepted, with one exception: old mobile phones and tablets are welcomed.
Their wording
“Unfortunately we are currently unable to accept any electrical items or suitcases.”
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Can't accept
St John's Hospice (London) category-wide rule
Applies to all electrical items
Their wording
“Electrical items”
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Can't accept
St Raphael's Hospice category-wide rule
Stated on the Our Shops page for shop/Donation Centre drop-off. The separate Furniture Collections page still refers to collecting 'large items of furniture or electrical items' via its home-collection service, so this blanket refusal may be specific to walk-in shop donations rather than the large-item collection route.
Their wording
“We are no longer accepting any electrical items or pet toys, sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
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Check first
Small electricals only accepted in good working condition and boxed as new.
Their wording
“Small electricals in good working condition and boxed as new”
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Check first
Electrical items with no plug attached are not accepted.
Their wording
“Small electrical items which have a plug attached and are in good clean working condition”
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Check first
Must be in working order
Their wording
“Small electrical appliances in working order”
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Check first
Accepted only if in working order with no damage to the item, cord or plug; PAT tested before sale.
Their wording
“We are happy to take electrical items as long as they are in working order and have no damage to the item, the cord or the plug.”
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Check first
'Small home electricals' are listed as an accepted donation category on the how-to-donate page, but electricals must carry a CE mark for safety.
Their wording
“Toys and electricals must have the CE mark for safety.”
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Check first
Electrical items sold have been PAT tested and passed.
Their wording
“Furniture & electrical (all electrical items are PAT tested and passed)”
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Check first
Electrical donations must have a plug and be in working order to be accepted.
Their wording
“Electrical items with a plug that are in working order”
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Check first
Accepted but donor must check with their local shop before donating electrical items.
Their wording
“electricals (but please do check with your local shop before you donate these)”
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Check first
Only some electrical goods are taken — radios, CD and DVD players, lamps, cameras and flat-screen TVs with a remote control.
Their wording
“Our charity shops take some electrical goods such as radios, CD and DVD players, lamps, cameras, and flat screen TVs with a remote control.”
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Check first
Only accepted at certain stores.
Their wording
“Electrical items (certain stores only)”
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Check first
Most shops don't take mains-powered electrical goods, but a few shops do accept them - check with your local shop before donating.
Their wording
“Electrical goods that run off the mains (a few shops do accept these, so please check before donating)”
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Check first
must be working, undamaged (including cord/plug); PAT tested on donation
Their wording
“We are happy to take electrical items as long as they are in working order and have no damage to the item, the cord or the plug. We PAT test any electrical items we are donated to ensure that the wiring is safe.”
-
Check first
Unless new or sealed; covers any electrical item with a plug.
Their wording
“Electrical items (i.e. with a plug)”
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Check first
Save the Children category-wide rule
Exception: accepted at selected stores — donors are told to check first.
Their wording
“We're unable to accept electrical goods (except in selected stores - please check first)”
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Check first
All electricals need staff pre-approval and must pass PAT safety and functionality testing.
Their wording
“Electrical items must undergo safety (PAT) and functionality testing”
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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”
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Check first
Accepted only if in saleable condition with a current CE marking; from the 'Kettle' entry, and the same wording is reused for most working electrical items.
Their wording
“Yes, please — we’d love your donation! However, please ensure that all electrical items are in saleable condition and have a current CE marking to show they meet safety standards.”
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Check first
Accepted only if fully working; Martlets lists a number of specific small electrical items it will not sell.
Their wording
“Smaller electrical goods – such as kettles and TVs (in full working order)”
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Check first
Accepted only in working condition; electrical goods that haven't been PAT tested are listed separately as not accepted.
Their wording
“Small electricals: Including flat-screen TVs, DVD/Blu-ray players, radios, hi-fis, lamps, kettles, toasters, and hair styling tools (all in working condition)”
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Check first
Not all shops can accept electronic goods due to Health & Safety regulations
Their wording
“not all of our shops can accept electronic goods, due to Health & Safety regulations.”
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Check first
Lamps and working mobility scooters are the accepted examples (lamps need a plug attached and no damage). Small kitchen and AV appliances — kettles, toasters, radios, irons and similar — are on their cannot-accept list.
Their wording
“✔️ Electrical items e.g. lamps, working mobility scooters”
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Check first
Only selected small electrical items are accepted, and they must be in working order.
Their wording
“Selected working small electrical items”
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Check first
Only sold in some shops, and only if PAT tested
Their wording
“Some of our shops also stock good quality electrical equipment which have been 'PAT' tested.”
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Check first
Stated specifically for the Hartford Mini Donation Centre only; electrical goods are not listed among the items welcomed on the main shops donating page.
Their wording
“We welcome a wide range of items including clothing, books, bric-a-brac, small homeware, and electrical goods.”
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Check first
Accepted electrical items per guide-to-donating page: kitchen appliances (kettles, toasters, mixers, blenders, liquidisers, food processors, coffee makers, juicers) and small household electricals (lamps, hairdryers, hair straighteners, CD players, consoles) — but only accepted at selected shops: Barbican (small electricals only), Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, North Prospect, Saltash, Sugar Mill, Tavistock, Torpoint, Transit Way, Charles Cross.
Their wording
“Please note only some of our shops are accepting electrical donations.”
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Check first
Accepted only if under 5 years old and carrying a CE/UKCA mark; the converse is separately listed as refused: 'Electrical items that are more than 5 years old or without a CE/UKCA mark'.
Their wording
“Working electrical items that are less than 5 years old and have a CE/UKCA mark”
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Check first
Condition: must be clean and in good working order.
Their wording
“We also accept electrical items that are clean and in good working order”
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Check first
Only accepted if in good working condition and with a plug attached.
Their wording
“We accept electrical items* that are in good working condition as well as a range of kitchenware (crockery, glasses, pots and pans). Examples of electrical items you can donate are listed below: • Kettles • Toasters • TVs • Gym equipment • Washing machines • Microwaves • Fridge and freezers • Hairdryers and styling irons *Please note: All electrical items must have a plug attached.”
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Check first
Only accepted at selected stores.
Their wording
“High quality small electricals (Selected stores only)”
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Check first
Strathcarron Hospice category-wide rule
Donors are asked to check with their local shop before donating electrical items.
Their wording
“Electricals (but please do check with your local shop before you donate these).”
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Check first
Condition: check with your local shop before donating, as storage space is limited at some shops.
Their wording
“Small electrical items (please check with your local shop before donating)”
- Check first
-
Check first
Electrical items accepted only if in good condition and working order.
Their wording
“Furniture, homewares, electrical and white goods that are in good condition and working order”
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Check first
Listed under 'Small Appliances'. A similar 'must be in full working order' condition also applies to Lamps ('Table lamps, floor & desk lamps in working order'), Headphones ('clean and in good working order or unused') and Fans ('complete with all parts and in full working order').
Their wording
“Small kitchen electricals, clean and descaled if they have been used. In good working order. Include instructions, manuals, parts, cables & original box if possible.”
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Check first
Only electricals that work and carry the relevant safety labels are accepted.
Their wording
“Electricals that work with the relevant safety labels”
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Check first
Electrical items are only accepted if they are PAT-tested.
Their wording
“Electrical items, providing they are PAT-tested”
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Accepted
Accepted only in working condition.
Their wording
“We do accept most electrical items in working condition.”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Electrical items”
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Accepted
Listed under 'Types of Donations we appreciate'.
Their wording
“Small electrical items”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Electrical items, such as working lamps, functioning kitchen appliances.”
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Accepted
The Furniture Hub instead excludes all electricals except audio or lighting items.
Their wording
“Working electricals”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Small electrical items in working order”
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Accepted
Must be in working order.
Their wording
“Small electrical items in working order”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Small electrical goods”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Small electricals like lamps, toasters and CD players”
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Accepted
Small, functioning appliances welcomed.
Their wording
“Homeware: Decorative items, kitchenware, and small, functioning appliances.”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Small household electricals”
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Accepted
Must be in good working condition.
Their wording
“Electrical appliances (in good working condition)”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Small Electrical Items”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Electrical items such as lamps, stereos etc”
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Accepted
Electrical items accepted only in working condition.
Their wording
“We can take donations of furniture & electrical items in saleable condition. ‘Saleable’ means that upholstered furniture must have a fire certificate label, electricals must be in working condition, and all items must not be stained, torn, marked or damaged.”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Electrical items”
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Accepted
Accepted only if in working order.
Their wording
“Electrical items in working order - cameras and audio-visual or computing equipment”
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Accepted
Listed as an item of particular interest for donation.
Their wording
“Small electrical goods”
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Accepted
Only electrical items in full working order are accepted.
Their wording
“We will gladly accept most electrical items that are in full working order.”
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Accepted
Accepted only in clean, working condition.
Their wording
“Small electrical goods (clean working condition)”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Small Electricals”
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Accepted
Listed under "What can you donate?"
Their wording
“Small electrical items”
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Accepted
"smaller electrical items" only, distinguishing from the larger appliances the now-closed Furniture Store used to take.
Their wording
“Please note we’re no longer able to accept furniture donations – but our other 31 shops are more than happy to accept quality clothes and accessories, books, collectables, bric-a-brac, toys and smaller electrical items.”
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Accepted
Excludes white goods; site also separately lists 'Hoovers' as accepted alongside this bullet.
Their wording
“Small electrical items (not white goods).”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Good quality electrical items”
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Accepted
Covers HiFis, cameras and similar small electricals in this bullet.
Their wording
“Electrical items eg. TVs, HiFis, cameras etc.”
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Accepted
Their wording
“✅ Electrical items – TVs, HiFi's, Amps, Vacuum cleaners, Fridges/Freezers, toasters etc”
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Accepted
Listed under 'Items We Love to Accept' at the Furniture Warehouse.
Their wording
“Sound and vision equipment”
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Accepted
Must be in good working order.
Their wording
“Electricals: these should be in good working order.”
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Accepted
Must be in full working order and PAT tested before sale.
Their wording
“Lamps, stereo equipment, some small TV’s, digital TV’s, vacuum cleaners, fridges, fridge/freezers, freezers, washing machines, tumble driers, microwave ovens, clocks etc. In order to be sold the above must be in full working order and fridges and freezers must be defrosted and emptied before collection. All items are PAT tested before going on sale.”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Homeware and electrical items”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Small Electricals: Flat screen tv's, radios, hifi's, kettles, toasters, table lamps, small heaters and hair styling appliances.”
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Accepted
Must be in full working order.
Their wording
“Radios, CD and DVD players, lamps, cameras, flat screen TVs with a remote control – all in working order”
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Accepted
Must be working and safe.
Their wording
“Electrical items (working and safe)”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Electrical goods (e.g. kettles, TVs, lamps).”
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Accepted
Their wording
“Electrical items”
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Accepted
Electrical items must be in good working order to be accepted.
Their wording
“Electrical items must be in good working order”
Not mentioned in 72 charities' guidance
Absence from a charity's list doesn't mean they accept it — it just isn't singled out. Ask your local shop.
- Accord Hospice
- Age UK
- Ayrshire Hospice
- Barnardo's
- Blythe House Hospice
- Bolton Hospice
- British Heart Foundation
- British Red Cross
- Cancer Research UK
- Children's Hospice South West
- Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS)
- Cornwall Hospice Care
- Crisis
- DEBRA
- Derian House Children's Hospice
- Dogs Trust
- Dorothy House
- Douglas Macmillan Hospice
- East Lancashire Hospice
- Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria's Children's Hospice
- Ellenor
- Emmaus
- FARA Charity Shops
- Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity
- Forget Me Not Children's Hospice
- Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
- Hope House & Ty Gobaith Children's Hospices
- Hospice Isle of Man
- Keech Hospice Care
- KEMP Hospice
- Lewis-Manning Hospice Care
- LOROS Hospice
- Marie Curie
- Mountbatten Isle of Wight
- Octavia Foundation
- Overgate Hospice
- PDSA
- Pendleside Hospice
- Primrose Hospice
- Princess Alice Hospice
- Queenscourt Hospice
- Rotherham Hospice
- Rowans Hospice
- Royal Trinity Hospice (London)
- Saint Francis Hospice
- Salvation Army (SATCoL)
- Scope
- Sense Scotland
- Shooting Star Children's Hospices
- St Catherine's Hospice (Crawley)
- St Christopher's Hospice
- St Clare Hospice
- St Giles Hospice
- St John's Hospice (Lancaster, Morecambe, Kendal & Garstang)
- St Luke's Hospice (Harrow & Brent)
- St Margaret's Hospice Care (Somerset)
- St Peter's Hospice
- St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
- Sue Ryder
- The Children's Trust
- The Myton Hospices
- The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice
- The Shakespeare Hospice
- Traid
- Treetops Hospice Trust
- Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
- Wales Air Ambulance
- Weldmar Hospicecare
- Willen Hospice
- Willow Wood Hospice
- Willowbrook Hospice
- Wirral Hospice St John's