Thrift Store Donations: What to Donate That Actually Sells | The Spruce

Key Points

• Small appliances and working electronics consistently sell well at thrift stores.
• Mismatched tableware, jewelry, and unique art are high-demand, often-overlooked donations.
• Classic, work-ready women’s clothing sells way better than trendy, fast fashion.

When you’re decluttering and want to see your unwanted but in-good-condition items go to a new home, it’s easy to assume that only gently worn, in-vogue clothes and trendy home accessories will be popular thrift store finds. However, thrift shoppers are often hunting for hard-to-find, quirky, or practical pieces that might not be on your donate list. Just because you no longer need or aren’t interested in an item, it doesn’t mean someone else won’t be.

We asked thrift store pros what categories of contributions consistently fly off the shelves that you might overlook. You never know, the treasure that someone else is hoping to find could already be sitting in your “toss” pile.

Meet the Expert

• Helen Murphy is the SVP of Development, Communications, and Marketing for Goodwill of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey.
• Shannon Cancino-Schrader is the Thrift Store Manager at Delivering Dreams of Arizona.
• Lisa Rusyniak is the President and CEO at Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc.

Kitchen Appliances

Most people automatically think of clothes when donating to thrift stores. However, Lisa Rusyniak, the President and CEO at Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, Inc, says that more than a third of their sales come from wares, particularly small kitchen appliances like air fryers, coffee makers, and blenders.

With rising retail prices and new models constantly hitting the market, many shoppers turn to thrift stores for affordable basics. According to Rusyniak, this is especially true for young adults setting up their first apartments. 

“As long as they’re clean and they’re tested, we’ll take them, and they’ll fly off our shelves,” Rusyniak says.

Before donating, follow good thrift store etiquette and ensure any working appliances are thoroughly cleaned. And if you’re thinking about buying an appliance from a thrift store, be assured that most stores test them before putting them out for sale. 

“In Maryland, there is also a law that if something doesn’t work, we’ll take it back in our stores, no questions asked,” Rusynkiak says.

Other Electrical Goods

It’s not just kitchen appliances that are sleeper hits. Donors often assume other outdated electronic devices have no resale value, but that’s not necessarily true.

Certain goods, like vintage audio equipment, gaming consoles, and small media players, can appeal to collectors, hobbyists, or shoppers looking for budget-friendly options, depending on condition and local demand.

Helen Murphy, the SVP of Development, Communications, and Marketing for Goodwill of NY/NJ, says that all electronics are tested at Goodwill to determine whether they power on and function. 

“If a device does not power on, we remove hard drives and any components that contain recoverable value before routing the remaining item to a responsible e-waste vendor who will upcycle, repair, sell, or recycle the goods,” Murphy explains.

Mismatch Silverware and Glassware

Have you got a drawer full of odd forks and a shelf of clashing wine glasses in your cabinets? Shannon Cancino-Schrader, Thrift Store Manager at Delivering Dreams of Arizona, recommends not tossing them, as mismatched sets are more desirable than many thrift store donors realize.

“Think of a whimsical mad hatter-style table and taking unique individual sets of silverware for each setting,” Cancino-Schrader says. “Plus, customers who like to flip and sell items may find that just a few pieces from a vintage silverware set can be worth reselling, especially hard-to-find sets.” 

She also says that it’s popular to have mismatched vintage glassware at weddings or other events.

Again, thrift stores hate receiving damaged and dirty items, so make sure your wares are free from chips and cracks. 

Jewelry

When I asked Murphy what one category of items she would encourage donors to start bringing more of, she didn’t hesitate to say jewelry. 

“Even if it’s broken or incomplete, someone else may love it, and in some cases, materials can be recovered and reused,” Murphy says. “It’s helpful for donors to remember that just because you don’t like it, wouldn’t wear it, or wouldn’t have it in your home, someone else probably will love it, will wear it, and will proudly hang it up.”

Place small pieces of jewelry into sealed bags before donating to prevent them from getting tangled, damaged, or lost.

Art

According to Murphy, donors may think a piece of art is too funky, too specific, too original, or just too ugly to hand in to a thrift store.

However, she points out that art is subjective, and distinctive pieces can be a major draw. Art can be a valuable thrift store find, offering something far more interesting and coveted than mass-produced prints. 

“Finding a funky, unique, one-of-a-kind piece of artwork is part of the thrill of the treasure hunt that is thrifting,” Murphy says. “It’s often something a shopper didn’t come in looking for, but that catches their eye in the moment.”

Work-Ready Women’s Clothes

While high-volume fast fashion isn’t as easy to sell in thrift stores because of the low-quality fabrics, Rusyniak notes that essential professional attire is consistently in demand.

“Many folks who are just getting their first job or they’re interviewing, always need the basic kinds of classic styles that really outperform trendy stuff,” Rusyniak says.

This includes suits, basic dresses, blazers, and work-ready shoes.

Your thrift store will thank you for freshly laundered, stain-free items that are in wearable condition. Classic cuts in neutral colors tend to have the widest appeal.