Savers is a popular thrift store chain that accepts donations of gently used clothing, accessories, shoes, books, media, and household items. Many people have items around their home that they no longer need or use and are looking for places to donate them. Savers provides an option to keep these items out of landfills by accepting them for resale at their thrift stores. But what exactly does Savers accept for donations? Here is a quick overview of the main categories of items you can donate at Savers.
Clothing
One of the primary categories that Savers accepts is clothing. They take gently used clothing items for babies, kids, women and men. This includes:
- Shirts
- Pants
- Dresses and skirts
- Sweaters and sweatshirts
- Jackets and coats
- Socks and hosiery
- Undergarments
- Swimwear
- Sleepwear
- Activewear
- Costumes
The clothing should be clean and in good condition without stains, tears, or excessive wear. Savers does not accept clothing with defects that would prevent reselling.
When donating clothes to Savers, it’s best to check items carefully for defects beforehand. Sort through and set aside any clothing that is stained, torn, missing buttons, has broken zippers, or shows obvious signs of wear. Savers is unable to resell these items.
For clothing you plan to donate, launder or dry clean the items first. Clothing free of odors and neat and folded are more likely to be accepted.
Shoes
Footwear is another main category Savers welcomes. The types of shoes they accept include:
- Athletic shoes
- Boots
- Heels
- Sandals
- Slippers
- Sneakers
- Flats
- Oxfords
- Loafers
The shoes should be in good shape with no major signs of wear on the soles or damage that would prevent wearing them. As with clothing, clean, odor-free shoes are best for donating. Savers does not accept shoes that are badly scuffed, have torn linings, or have broken heels, straps, or closures.
Accessories
Savers accepts a wide range of accessories including:
- Handbags
- Backpacks
- Belts
- Scarves
- Ties
- Hats
- Gloves
- Jewelry
- Wallets
- Sunglasses
The accessories should be in good, working condition without damage or defects. For accessories like jewelry and sunglasses, inspect items closely before donating to make sure they are intact and working properly. Very worn or broken accessories may not be accepted.
Household Items
Many common household goods can also be donated to Savers. Some examples of accepted household items include:
- Small appliances – blenders, toasters, coffee makers
- Kitchenware – plates, cups, utensils, pots and pans
- Knickknacks and decor
- Bedding and linens
- Towels
- Curtains
- Lamps and lighting
- Rugs
The household items should be clean and in working condition without major damage or defects. Appliances should be tested before donating to make sure they power on and operate properly.
Savers does not accept very large appliances like refrigerators, stoves/ovens, washers/dryers, or air conditioners. Call ahead to your local Savers store if you are uncertain about donating a specific household item.
Media
Gently used books, movies, music, and video games can be donated to Savers in sellable condition. Accepted media includes:
- Books – both hardcover and paperback
- DVDs and Blu-ray discs
- CDs
- Vinyl records
- Video games – cartridge, disc, and boxed
Inspect all media for damages before bringing items for donation. Cracked cases, scratched discs, missing artwork, water damage, or other defects could cause your items to be rejected. Media should be clean with no sticky residue or dirt on cases and discs.
Toys
Savers accepts donations of gently used toys and games including:
- Action figures
- Dolls
- Stuffed animals
- Blocks and building sets
- Board games
- Puzzles
- Educational toys
- Outdoor toys
Make sure all parts and components of the toys are present before donating. Toys that are incomplete or have damage that affects playability may not be accepted. Savers does not accept toys that pose safety hazards due to breakage or missing safety labels.
Sporting Goods
Savers takes sporting goods donations including:
- Balls – footballs, soccer balls, basketballs, etc.
- Bats, gloves, and mitts
- Racquets
- Nets
- Helmets and pads
- Bicycles and scooters
- Camping gear
- Exercise equipment
Inspect sporting goods for defects prior to donation. Items should be cleaned and in working order without cracks, tears, or other damage. Make sure items like bicycles, scooters, and exercise equipment function properly before bringing them to Savers.
What Savers Does Not Accept
While Savers accepts a wide range of goods, there are some items they are unable to take:
- Hazardous materials
- Large appliances
- Tube TVs
- Mattresses and box springs
- Sleeper sofas
- Car seats
- Cribs
- helmets
- Pianos
- Food
- Opened personal care items
- Broken furniture
If you are not sure whether an item would be accepted for donation, call your local Savers store first. It’s also a good idea to check the Savers website, which provides full details on their current donation guidelines.
Finding a Savers Near Me
Locating a Savers store to make your donations is easy:
- Use the Savers store locator on their website – Enter your zip code to find stores in your area.
- Search on Google Maps – Search for “Savers near me” to find the closest locations.
- Check your local directory – Many phone books and online directories list businesses by category.
- Look in shopping centers – Savers stores are often located in strip malls and shopping plazas.
- Search while driving – Scan commercial areas for Savers signage as you drive around town.
Once you’ve identified your closest Savers, call the store first to verify their address, hours, and donation guidelines. This will ensure you have a quick and easy donation experience.
Savers Donation Process
Donating to Savers is a fast and streamlined process. Here are some tips for smooth Savers donations:
- Gather items at home and sort into categories – clothes, shoes, books, etc.
- Pack items neatly into bags and boxes – This keeps donations organized.
- Transport items to Savers in your vehicle – Most donations will fit in a car trunk or backseat.
- Bring donations during open store hours – Most Savers are open 9am to 9pm.
- Alert staff you have donations – An attendant will guide you through the process.
- Place bags and boxes in donation area – Savers provides carts for large loads.
- Fill out any necessary paperwork – You may need to briefly list donation contents.
- Leave the premises – Savers staff takes it from there!
Savers makes it fast and easy to donate used goods. In some cases you may even be eligible for a tax receipt for the value of your donations. Contact a specific store for details on their donation receipt policy.
Alternatives to Savers
In addition to Savers, there are many other thrift store chains that accept used goods in the U.S. Some top alternatives include:
Goodwill
- One of the largest thrift store operations
- Accepts similar categories of items as Savers
- Many convenient donation centers
- Goodwill International website lists locations
Salvation Army
- Operates thousands of thrift stores nationwide
- Accepts wide range of household goods
- Offers free local pickups for furniture donations
- Find nearest drop-off site on SalvationArmyUSA.org
AmVets
- Veterans organization operating retail thrift stores
- Accepts clothing, books, electronics, furniture
- Some locations offer car donations
- Store locator at amvets.org lists 600+ stores
St. Vincent de Paul
- Catholic society managing thrift facilities
- Accepts wide variety of usable household items
- Many stores provide vouchers to assist the needy
- Find local Society of St. Vincent de Paul councils via svdpusa.org
Along with donating, shopping thrift stores supports charitable causes. Buying secondhand goods also gives items new life rather than sending them to landfills.
Conclusion
Savers makes the donation process quick and easy. Their stores accept a wide range of like-new used merchandise including clothing, shoes, accessories, media, household items, toys, and more. Useful goods can be reused or repurposed rather than being discarded. Contact your nearest Savers location for their hours, drop-off procedures, and any current donation guidelines. Savers provides community members an environmentally friendly way to keep quality used items circulating.