If you’re renovating your house or have excess materials for whatever other reason, you must be aware that dropping them off at a landfill isn’t the best idea. To help the environment and give your used possessions a second life, we suggest you instead donate to Habitat for Humanity ReStore. It’s a great way to declutter your home and help the environment as well. You can donate many things to ReStore, and it’s a very quick and straightforward process. If this sounds interesting to you, we invite you to read the rest of this article as we proceed to explain how to donate to Habitat ReStore, what exactly you can contribute, and which of your unnecessary belongings may be rejected.

How to Donate to Habitat ReStore

Before you decide to donate to ReStore, please ensure whether your donation would be a good fit. We will go more in-depth on that matter in a moment, but there’s also a detailed guideline on our website that you can check whenever. If you aren’t sure whether we will accept your item, you can always contact the Habitat for Humanity of Broward ReStore by filling out the donation form or simply calling us.

There are two ways of donating. You can either drop off your donation by the ReStore itself (during working hours) or order a FREE pick-up – simply use the online scheduling feature on our website. In the latter case, however, your donation must be pre-approved. Fill the donation form, attach photos of the item you wish to donate, and then send them to donate@habitatchicago.org. Once your donation gets pre-approved, the ReStore team will contact you to discuss the time and location of the pick-up.

As you can see, it’s rather simple and easy to donate to Habitat for Humanity ReStore!

Top 14 Best Things to Donate to ReStore

Any item you wish to donate must be of good quality. This means that it must still be in good working condition and free of any stains, chips, or rust marks. Remember: you can donate both used and new possessions. So, what sort of stuff can you donate to ReStore? 

1. Home Appliances

When it comes to home appliances, you can donate basically anything; from refrigerators and microwaves to dishwashers and water heaters – you name it, and you can likely donate it. Of course, you should also keep in mind that all appliances should be in good working condition and have all the necessary parts.

2. Cabinets

If you’re remodeling your house, consider donating your old cabinets to ReStore instead of taking them to a landfill. Please donate complete, functional cabinets only. They should also be free of any scratches, mold, or mildew.

3. Lighting & Light Fixtures

You can donate chandeliers, lamps, wires, switches, fuses, and so much more! Old, unused light fixtures are likely to clutter your house. You can get rid of them in a socially responsible way when you opt to donate to Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Classic Lamp Shades at Market

4. Tools

Are your drawers cluttered with tools? Donate some of your screws, hammers, bolts, or wrenches to ReStore and free some space! Remember that each donation you make is for a good cause and will make somebody else’s life a little easier.

5. Windows and Doors

Please keep in mind that you can only donate new windows and doors to ReStore. You can, however, donate both interior and exterior doors, as well as insulated glass windows. Unfortunately, we cannot accept old and used doors or windows.

6. Artwork

If you have any artwork that you no longer feel fits nicely on your walls, donating them to ReStore is THE choice to make. Of course, any artwork you donate should be of good visual quality and free of any damage. Damaged paintings also won’t be accepted. 

7. Tables and Chair Sets

Feel free to donate any good-quality tables and chair sets you might have. Keep in mind, however, that they should be clean and free of any scratches or stains. Don’t worry about taking the furniture to ReStore on your own; as previously mentioned when we talked about how to donate to Habitat ReStore; you can always order a free pick-up.

8. Bed Frames

Got any unnecessary bed frames you’re not sure what to do with? Instead of dumping them at a landfill, we recommend you donate them to ReStore. Even if you don’t need them anymore, there indeed are many people who do!

9. Furniture

Habitat for Humanity of Broward ReStore is always willing to accept any furniture, including couches, mattresses, coffee tables, box springs, or complete bedroom sets. Before donating, make sure that the items are not scratched, ripped, stained and that they have been appropriately cleaned from pet hair. 

10. Toilets and Plumbing Accessories

You can donate toilets, sinks, vanity sets, and much more. The only condition is that they are less than five years old and are completely functional. You can only donate items in good visual condition, so no rust marks, chips, or stains.

11. Garden Accessories

Habitat for Humanity of Broward ReStore accepts new bags of soil and seeds, various kinds of stones, as well as working lawn equipment. You can also donate plants, flowers, and trees. It’s up to you what to choose and remember – any profit made from selling your items will be, in turn, donated to people in need.

12. Lumber and Building Materials

You can only donate NEW items from this category. This is to make sure they are still usable and in good condition, and not expired or damaged – when it comes to lumber and building materials, this can, unfortunately, happen quite often. So, what can you donate? ReStore will happily accept any unopened shingles, packaged insulation, or lumber. Keep in mind that any wood you donate must have no nails in it.

13. Flooring & Tile

When it comes to this category, there are various possessions you can donate, from new carpet rolls to ceramic tiles and hardwood flooring. You are very likely to find such items in your house; if they are not stained or otherwise filthy, feel free to donate them to ReStore.

Suitcases and Rugs

14. Office Supplies

Are you running a home office? There may be various items that are of good quality yet completely unnecessary to you anymore. By donating to ReStore, you can also declutter your office at the same time.

What Can You NOT Donate to ReStore?

Even if ReStore accepts many kinds of items, there are some possessions you won’t be able to donate for various reasons. Please remember, however, that this list changes from time to time, which is why we once again recommend you view the detailed guideline on our website. Even if you can’t donate a particular item right now, there is a possibility you’ll be able to do so at some other time.

So, which items can’t you donate right now? These include:

  • Armoires
  • Gym Equipment
  • Baby Furniture … or items
  • Wall Ovens
  • Musical Instruments
  • Window Blinds
  • Kitchenware
  • Jacuzzis
  • Ladders
  • Clothing
  • Books
  • China Cabinets
  • Wallpaper

Everyone can donate to restore – both individuals and companies. We recommend you do this as often as you can, as it also benefits you in different ways:

  • it helps you keep your house and office clean and uncluttered
  • it’s a very eco-friendly solution
  • it’s a form of charity and caring for others

Donating to restore is considerably more socially responsible than just dumping trash at landfills, no questions asked! We at Habitat for Humanity of Broward encourage you to participate in our cause; feel free to check our website and see if you can help out your community through donations or potential volunteering.