Vocal Voices

I have been doing a bit of a clear out and some of the things I no longer need are some duvet covers. I had loads from when my brother and his kids were very regular visitors but that hasn't been the case anymore for some time. Anyway, the duvets are in good condition and I'd still use them for myself if I had need but I have others for myself (mine are all plain white so they can be washed at 90 degrees because of the cats)

I'd rather donate them to charity or to someone that can make use of them vs just putting them on freecycle, but so many charities I've look at the websites all state the goods have to be in excellent condition. Now there's nothing wrong with them, but they're not new - so how does one define excellent condition? It's not as though I'm expecting them to take my 'rubbish' but it's fast becoming more and more difficult to donate to charities unless it's brand new stuff or cash?

or is it just me?

No, it's not just you Ria. When both MrsC's and my mother died we tried to give stuff away, and they won't or can't take some stuff. From memory soft furnishings, mattresses and the like.

When we last moved house, we offered a couple of computer desks to a local charity which takes furniture. They looked at them, found some small blemishes - and refused to take them. We eventually brought them with us (they are a decent size, not too large, not too small) - and they're still in use.

Something like clothes or duvet covers, we wouldn't bother with a charity, TBH, we'd just put them in the local council textile recycling bin.

I suppose it depends on the charity....

I use a local charity shop for small thing as it will take almost anything. It is a one-off and the lady who runs it says that any fabric goods not fit for display still get recycled and she gets paid for them.

They are pretty fussy. We tried a few charities to take our dining suite before we moved here - a nice pine table with padded seat ladderback chairs to match - but because there were a few puppy chew marks at the bottom of one of the table legs they wouldn't take them

I put them on Freecycle, and had three offers within hours - the young couple who ended up with them were delighted!

My local forums often asking for stuff from people who have just got first homes and need stuff or salvation army it's a nightmare to be honest my neighbour has taken stuff of me for her kids when they move homes aswell

We have a homeless centre and they will take any bedding, that might be an option?