What to Donate Before Moving in Los Angeles

After helping thousands of families relocate across Los Angeles, our Green Moving team has learned that the most efficient moves share one trait: aggressive decluttering before packing begins. Donating before your move benefits everyone—you reduce moving costs, items find new homes with people who need them, and charities receive goods they can use or sell.

This guide shares the donation resources we recommend to clients, organized by item type with specific LA contacts and pickup options.

Why Donate Before Moving

Every item you donate is an item you don't pay to move. Our data shows that clients who declutter before moving save an average of 20-30% on their final bill.

The math is simple: Moving a typical dresser costs approximately $50 in labor time and truck space. If that dresser is worth less than $50 to you, donating it makes financial sense—plus you help someone who needs it.

Beyond cost savings, donating creates space for a fresh start. Many clients tell us their new home feels cleaner and more organized because they moved only what they truly wanted to keep.

Pro Tip: Start the donation process 4-6 weeks before your move. Charity pickup schedules fill quickly, especially for furniture. Last-minute donation attempts often fail, leaving you with items you don't want to move but can't easily discard.

Furniture Donations

Large furniture items offer the biggest decluttering impact and the greatest moving cost savings.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Accepts furniture, appliances, building materials, cabinets, and home improvement items in good condition. Free pickup available for large items throughout Los Angeles County.

Contact: 310-323-4663

Website: habitatla.org

Schedule: Book pickup online, typically 1-2 week wait

What they take: Furniture, appliances, cabinets, doors, windows, lighting, plumbing fixtures

What they don't take: Mattresses, upholstered items with stains or damage, particle board furniture, anything requiring repair

Salvation Army: Takes furniture in good, usable condition. Free pickup with 48-72 hour notice for donations valued at $100 or more.

Website: satruck.org

Schedule: Book online or call, typically 3-5 day wait

What they take: Furniture, appliances, household items, clothing, electronics

What they don't take: Large entertainment centers, sleeper sofas (difficult to transport), items requiring two-person teams for safety

Goodwill Southern California: Accepts furniture at many locations, though some have size restrictions. Both drop-off and pickup available.

Website: goodwillsocal.org

Best for: Smaller furniture items you can transport yourself

Note: Pickup availability varies by location—call ahead

Preparing furniture for donation:

- Clean thoroughly before pickup

- Note any damage honestly—charities appreciate transparency

- Remove personal items from drawers and compartments

- Disassemble if possible (keep hardware in labeled bag)

- Have items accessible—ground floor or elevator access required for pickup

Clothing and Textiles

Clothing donations are the easiest to execute and most widely accepted.

Out of the Closet: Thrift stores supporting AIDS Healthcare Foundation. All clothing accepted regardless of condition—even stained or damaged items can be recycled for textile value.

Locations: Multiple throughout LA (outofthecloset.org)

Best for: Large clothing donations, items in any condition

Bonus: Proceeds directly fund AIDS healthcare services

Dress for Success: Accepts professional women's clothing for job seekers entering the workforce. Items must be in excellent condition and currently stylish.

Best for: Business suits, professional dresses, blazers, work-appropriate shoes

Not accepted: Casual clothing, outdated styles, items with visible wear

H&M Garment Collection: Any brand, any condition accepted at all H&M stores. Receive a discount coupon in exchange for your donation.

Best for: Worn-out clothing that other charities won't accept

Bonus: Clothing is recycled, not landfilled

Planet Aid: Yellow donation bins throughout LA accept clothing and shoes in any condition.

Best for: Convenient drop-off without scheduling

Note: No pickup available, drop-off only

Pro Tip: Don't underestimate textile recycling. That stained t-shirt or holey sock can still be recycled into industrial rags or insulation rather than occupying landfill space. Out of the Closet and H&M accept items other charities reject.

Electronics

Responsible electronics disposal prevents toxic materials from entering landfills while potentially providing tax deductions.

Best Buy: Accepts TVs (up to 32"), computers, tablets, phones, small electronics, cables, and accessories at all locations. Free drop-off, no purchase required.

What they take: Most consumer electronics, cables, chargers, ink cartridges

What they don't take: TVs over 32" (these have a $29.99 fee), appliances

Limit: 3 items per household per day

Apple Trade-In: Apple devices can be traded for credit toward new purchases or recycled responsibly if no trade value remains.

Best for: iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches

Process: Online estimate, then mail in or visit Apple Store

LA County E-Waste Events: Free collection events scheduled throughout the year accept all electronics regardless of size or condition.

Website: lacsd.org for schedule

Best for: Large electronics, multiple items, business cleanouts

Note: Events fill up—arrive early

Goodwill: Many locations accept working electronics. Items are tested, refurbished if needed, and sold in stores.

Best for: Working electronics that still have useful life

Food Donations

Don't throw away unopened pantry items—food banks need them.

LA Regional Food Bank: Accepts non-perishable food items at multiple drop-off locations throughout LA County.

Website: lafoodbank.org

What they take: Canned goods, dry pasta and rice, cereal, cooking oils, spices, sealed condiments, baby food

What they don't accept: Opened packages, expired items, homemade foods, items requiring refrigeration

Donation tips:

- Check expiration dates—most food banks accept items up to 6 months past "best by" date

- Keep items in original packaging

- Group similar items together for easier sorting

Pro Tip: Start "eating down" your pantry 4-6 weeks before your move. Plan meals around what you have rather than buying more groceries. Items that won't be consumed can be donated.

Books and Media

Books are heavy—donating them significantly reduces your moving weight.

LA Public Library: Accepts book donations for library sales that fund programs. Drop-off at most branch locations.

Best for: Books in good condition, current titles

Note: Some branches have periodic donation drives rather than continuous acceptance—call ahead

Better World Books: Partners with libraries and literacy programs worldwide. Free shipping labels available online for mail-in donations.

Website: betterworldbooks.com

Best for: Larger book collections, convenience of shipping from home

Bonus: They pay shipping, books support literacy programs globally

Half Price Books: Will purchase books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl in good condition. Items not purchased can be donated on-site.

Best for: Potentially getting cash for valuable books while donating the rest

Powell's Books: Mail-in program for books, offers store credit for titles they want.

Best for: Quality books that might have trade value

Real-World Example

Last month, we moved a family from a 4-bedroom home in Sherman Oaks to a 3-bedroom in Pasadena—a downsize requiring significant decluttering.

Their donation results over 6 weeks:

Furniture donated to Habitat ReStore:

- Dining room set (table + 6 chairs)

- Two dressers

- Desk and office chair

- Patio furniture set

Estimated moving cost avoided: $350-$450

Clothing donated to Out of the Closet:

- 8 large bags of clothing and shoes

- Reduced packing by approximately 12 boxes

Estimated moving cost avoided: $100-$150

Electronics recycled at Best Buy:

- Old TV, two laptops, box of cables and chargers

- Avoided improper disposal of toxic materials

Books donated to LA Library:

- 6 boxes of books

- Weight reduction: approximately 200 lbs

Estimated moving cost avoided: $75-$100

Total estimated savings: $525-$700

Tax deduction value: Approximately $1,200 (with itemized receipts)

Their move: Originally quoted for 26-foot truck, completed with 20-foot truck. Final cost 22% below initial estimate.

Maximizing Your Donation Impact

Get tax deductions: All donations to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits are tax-deductible. Keep itemized receipts listing each item and its estimated fair market value. IRS Publication 561 provides valuation guidelines.

Document condition: Photograph valuable donations befor

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