As winter turns to spring and spring cleaning is fully underway, odds are you’ll be making a trip or two to the local thrift store to drop off those items that you simply don’t need anymore. So, to help you declutter with purpose, we’ve spoken to an industry expert about the most wanted spring donations at thrift stores, plus how you can better prep items before donating them, to ensure they get sold rather than discarded.

Lisa Rusyniak is the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake.

1. Seasonal Clothing

Lisa Rusyniak, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, says that seasonal clothing always moves quickly at thrift stores. In springtime, this means lighter layers, spring dresses, activewear, and comfortable shoes.

"We’re actively looking for lightweight clothing and shoes for the transition: spring jackets, raincoats, work-appropriate layers, jeans, khakis, dresses, and everyday tops that people can wear right away," she explains, adding that they also see a strong demand for children's clothing.

Another springtime need that Rusyniak draws attention to is workforce clothing. "We’re always thinking about the job-seeker who needs to look and feel confident for an interview, and spring often brings hiring surges," she explains. "That means business casual clothing, interview-ready attire, and dependable footwear are consistently valuable."

2. Housewares and Kitchen Basics

Rusyniak says that housewares and kitchen basics tend to be top sellers at thrift stores in spring, as people reorganize, set up new living spaces, and tackle home projects. "Good-quality pots and pans, bakeware, mixing bowls, storage containers (especially matching sets), and clean dishware are all steady performers," she notes.

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3. Home Decor Items

Rusyniak says spring is a great time to donate home decor items, as people often clean out and rejuvenate their space after winter. "Thrift stores are looking for lamps, wall decor, mirrors, small furniture that’s easy to transport, and neutral, clean textiles like curtains and throw pillows in good shape," she says.

4. Sports Gear and Outdoor Equipment

Rusyniak says her stores see a consistent surge in demand for outdoor items in spring. "Spring is when people start spending time outside again, so outdoor and recreation items can be especially helpful, like bikes in good working order, helmets, sports equipment, camping gear, patio items, and gardening tools," she offers.

Rusyniak says that the items that tend to sell the quickest aren't usually the trendy items, but rather the most usable.

Items Thrift Stores Wish People Would Discard Rather Than Donate

Rusyniak says that, though most donors are genuinely trying to do the right thing, she respectfully acknowledges that some items should be discarded rather than donated.

"When unusable items come in, it creates significant cost and safety challenges," she explains. "Those costs don’t just affect our retail operation; they can limit how much we’re able to invest in job training and support services." Below are three common categories of items that Rusyniak says should probably be tossed.

Broken Items

Rusyniak says that people should consider discarding rather than donating if their items meet the following criteria:

• Broken
• Heavily damaged
• Missing essential parts

"For example, electronics that don’t power on, appliances without cords, furniture with structural damage, or anything that can’t be used as intended," she explains.

Exceptionally Dirty Items

Additionally, she explains that they cannot responsibly sell items that are dirty and cannot be safely cleaned, including the following:

• Moldy items
• Mildewed items
• Infested items
• Heavily soiled items
• Items with strong odors
• Stained mattresses
• Wet or damp items

Dangerous Items

Rusyniak says that some donations might be well-intentioned but present handling risks for employees that necessitate careful discarding, such as the following:

• Used hygiene items
• Opened personal care products
• Old pillows
• Worn undergarments
• Hazardous materials

"My simple rule of thumb is this: If you wouldn’t feel comfortable giving it directly to a neighbor or friend because of the condition or safety, it’s probably not a good donation. When donors use that lens, it protects our staff, respects our shoppers, and strengthens the mission," she explains.

When in doubt, check with your specific thrift store location about acceptable items before discarding them.

Pre-Donation Prep Tips

While you don't have to prepare your items before donating them to a thrift store, doing so can be very helpful and ensure they're sold rather than discarded. Below are the pre-donation preparation tips that Rusyniak says are typically helpful.

• Clean dirty items. Rusyniak recommends donating clean, dry, odor-free items. If they're dirty, taking time to clean them beforehand can help ensure they can be sold.
• Ensure items in sets are complete. She advises donating complete sets whenever possible, saying, "If you’re donating a board game, include all pieces. If it’s a small appliance, include the lid or attachments and the power cord. If it’s furniture that needs hardware, tape the screws and small parts in a labeled bag and secure it to the item. Those small actions can be the difference between an item being sold versus discarded."
• Bundle items thoughtfully. Rusyniak says that bundling items can help workers keep track of them, such as pairing shoes with rubber bands or boxing matching dishware.
• Package fragile items. If you’re donating anything fragile, padding it so it won’t break in transit is extremely helpful.