If you've got a pile of clothes you no longer wear, you're not alone. The average UK household holds onto around 26 items of clothing they never use. The good news is that donating them is easier than ever, and your unwanted items can make a real difference to charities that rely on second-hand goods to raise funds.

Here are the main ways to donate clothes in the UK, and what to consider when choosing between them.

Charity Shops

Dropping bags into your local charity shop is probably the most familiar option. Most high street charity shops accept good quality clothing, shoes, and accessories. It's free, straightforward, and your donation goes directly to the charity running the shop.

The downside is that you need to physically take the bags there during opening hours, and many shops have become more selective about what they accept. Large volumes of items can also be tricky to transport if you don't have a car.

Clothing Banks

Clothing banks are the large collection bins you'll find in supermarket car parks and recycling centres. They're convenient if you're passing by, but they tend to go to textile recycling companies rather than directly to charities, so the charitable benefit can be less direct.

Post a Bag Schemes

Some charities post you a collection bag, you fill it and leave it on your doorstep, and they arrange a pickup. These schemes can be hit and miss in terms of reliability, and the bag is often sent before you've committed to donating, which some people find a bit pushy.

Free Doorstep Charity Collection

This is where Bag2Charity comes in. We offer a completely free doorstep collection service across Yorkshire, the North East, Greater Manchester, and beyond. You book online, choose your collection date, pack your items into bags, and leave them outside by 8am on the day. You don't even need to be in.

The proceeds from everything we collect go to your chosen charity partner. We work with organisations including Human Appeal, Children's Air Ambulance, Your Local Air Ambulance, Funzi and Bodo Trust, Kidney Research Yorkshire, and several others, so you can choose the cause that means the most to you.

It takes under two minutes to book and there's nothing to drop off, carry, or arrange beyond packing the bags.

What Can You Donate?

We collect a wide range of items, not just clothes. You can include shoes, handbags, belts, bed linen, towels, books, toys, kitchenware, and bric-a-brac. The main things we cannot accept are wet or damaged items, duvets, pillows, and furniture.

For a full list of what we collect, visit our what we collect page.

Which Option Is Right for You?

If you have a small amount to donate and a charity shop nearby, dropping it in on your next trip is perfectly fine. But if you have several bags, bulky items, or just want to avoid the trip out, a free doorstep collection is the most convenient option by some distance.

It also means your donation stays together and goes to the charity you've chosen, rather than being sorted and distributed by a third party.

Ready to Donate?

If you're in one of our collection areas, booking takes less than two minutes. Enter your postcode to check availability and choose a date that works for you.