How to Donate to The Closet
The Closet is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and financially supports a variety of locally-based charities with profits from the operation of our thrift store. We have been blessed with the generosity of the local community since we started in 1974 and your merchandise donations are essential to our continued success!
When to Donate:
The Closet accepts donations from 8AM-12PM Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday. We do not accept donations on Thursdays.
Occasionally, extreme weather conditions may require The Closet to close or to stop accepting donations. In the event of inclement weather you can get up-to-the-date store status by checking The Closet’s home page, checking The Closet Facebook Page, or calling the store at (703) 437-7652.
We make donating to The Closet as easy as 1,2,3
Step 1: Gather your donations
Look around and identify things that you no longer want. Clothing that does not fit your lifestyle anymore or has been tucked away in your closet; household items that you no longer use: kitchen items, linens, or lamps; toys that your children have outgrown; or books which you have read and no longer need.
While we accept most clothing and household items, there are a few things we can’t accept – such as items that have been recalled, banned or do not meet current safety standards. In addition, see our list below of items we cannot accept because we do not have space for them in our store and for condition requirements for those items we do accept.
Step 2: Evaluate your donation items
Give your donations a closer look to ensure that they are still in working condition, contain all of their pieces and parts, and are free of stains, rips and damage. We ask that you donate clean, usable items as we do not have the ability to clean, mend or repair items. Donating unsellable items costs us $$$ yearly! Please help us curb these costs by recycling items that we cannot sell.
Step 3: Drop off at The Closet
Ready to drop off your items? We ask that you place clothing, bed linens, and table linens in large plastic bags or boxes that have lids. This enables your donated items to stay clean and secure in our processing area.
The Closet accepts donations from 8AM-12PM Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday. A member of our intake team will help you get your donations out of your car and provide you with a donation receipt. Hang on to the receipt and use it to claim a tax deduction for clothing and household items that are in good working condition.
What We Accept
Clothing – Men’s, women’s, children’s and baby clothing, shoes, purses, belts that are clean and free of stains & odors: vintage through new.
Linens – bed/bath/table linens, decorative pillows clean and free of stains or pet hair.
Electronics – small appliances, in working order, no missing parts, hardware and small tools with cords. TVs 21″ or less; we do not have space for larger flat screen TVs. Please make sure that data and passwords are removed from electronic items such as smartphone and tablets.
Housewares – glass, and dining ware, home décor, lamps, knickknacks, artwork, antiques/collectibles
Jewelry – all jewelry including watches (working order-note if battery needed), eye glasses, like new beauty & hair care products
Media – records/CDs/DVDs, greeting cards – boxed.
Books – we can especially use children’s books, cook books, and recent fiction. Please, no encyclopedias, textbooks, or Readers Digest Condensed books. Limit of one box donated per car per day.
Luggage – suitcases, brief cases & backpacks – zippers work, lightly used condition
Sporting goods – bicycles, pet supplies, lightly used helmets. We may be unable to accept during certain seasons based upon storage limitations.
Craft – yarn, fabric, kits
Toys – games (complete), small musical instruments, small stuffed animals (12” or less)
Seasonal – We do not have space to store seasonal items and would appreciate it if you could donate items not more than 90 days prior to holiday and 30 days after the holiday.
Computers – working condition less than 5 yrs old