7 Things the Thrift Store Doesn't Want From You

Expiration dates, recalls and the possibility of the car seat having been in a crash has lead many thrift stores to say no to this donation. Though you can find some charities that take recently-purchased car seats, you should probably plan on recycling your old one for safety's sake. Consumer Reports has a list of organizations that offer recycling programs for car seats, along with how to prep your car seat for recycling. 

That pile of nature magazines might be in great shape, but they're likely not the best fit for your thrift store. (Housing Works in NYC does not accept these, along with other dated materials like old travel guides and textbooks that are over a year old.) Instead, recycle the magazines, or look for charities that use magazines for things like collage projects, like the Catholic Charities - Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Yes, good books are a welcome donation for most thrift stores, but keep in mind that they do take up a lot of shelf space. If you have a small library's worth of donations, it might be better to seek out another recipient of your generosity. For example, most public libraries have Friends groups who can use large donations for their book sales, which puts money back into your community — funding not just the library, but also many services and events that benefit you and your neighbors. 

While some thrifts (like Eco-Thrift in Colorado and Acts Thrift Store in California) offer e-waste recycling, others have to pay for the proper disposal of outdated electronics. In this case, you're better off finding a proper e-waste recycling service.

Some charities accept furniture made of this lightweight material, which is often used in inexpensive designs. Others, like the Salvation Army in the Modesto area of California, won't accept particle board furniture. It's difficult to repair, and often breaks during transportation.

You probably know not to donate a chair with broken legs, but a chair with a stained cushion might make your donation pile. After all, it's still intact, right? Wrong. Stained furniture is a no-go for most charities, who have to then spend extra money to properly dispose of it — which takes much-needed money away from their causes.

A caveat for those motivated by the idea of someone less fortunate being able to enjoy those never-worn designer jeans: While thrift stores will happily sell high-end items, they might charge a premium. The money does go to a great place, but if you wanted the item in question to go directly to someone who might not be able to afford the item, take it directly to a shelter or other charity.