Donations Guidelines

Clean, quality items in good, salable condition are always gladly accepted and appreciated! They can be dropped off at our convenient Donation Drive-thru during donation hours. 

Furniture pick-ups will be provided for a $25 service fee.
  • Appointments are Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons 
  • Pick-ups available for the following communities: ​Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Solon, West Branch, West Liberty, Tiffin, Riverside and Kalona (generally within 20 miles or less from the shop).
  • Due to safety and liability, Crowded Closet staff do not enter donors' homes. 
Thank you for your donation! When you partner with Crowded Closet, your contributions make an impact in the lives of people locally and globally. Learn more about the mission of Crowded Closet and where we are making a difference, together!
 Donation Hours: M-F 9:30-4:30, Sat 9:30-3:30, Sun Closed
Please donate your clothes in a separate bag from other items.
  • Antiques & collectibles
  • Bedding & linens
  • Books, CDs & DVDs
  • Clothing & shoes - for women, men & children
  • Fabric, craft & sewing items
  • Furniture
  • Hardware
  • Holiday decor - accepted year round
  • Household goods
  • Jewelry & accessories
  • ​Plants - must be in pots (no bare roots)
  • ​Sporting goods
  • ​Toys
  • Because we value your donation, please bring them to Crowded Closet only during donation hours. 
  • Donation items must be complete at time of drop off. Items that are missing parts will be turned away.
  • We are unable to fix broken items. 
  • Please remember--the donation of unsaleable items incurs expenses for Crowded Closet and deters us from assisting those in need. Thank you for understanding!
  • Tax receipts for donations are available. ​
Please do not donate broken, torn or dirty items.
Please do not donate hazardous materials (e.g. aerosols, household cleaners, liquids). They are not salable so we must pay to dispose of them, reducing the dollars we can share with our community and abroad.
  • A/C units, humidifiers & dehumidifiers
  • Appliances - large (e.g. dishwashers, stoves)
  • Automobile parts
  • Baby furniture (e.g. cribs, high chairs, strollers)
  • Bed frames, headboards & footboards
  • Bicycle  helmets
  • Car seats & booster seats
  • Carpet scraps
  • Cassette tapes & VHS tapes
  • Ceiling fans
  • Computers, monitors & accessories
  • Construction material
  • Encyclopedias
  • Entertainment centers
  • Exercise equipment - large (e.g. treadmills, stair steppers)
  • Flammable products
  • Florescent lights & fixtures
  • Food products
  • Gas-powered items​
  • Hazardous waste, including paint
  • Household cleaning products
  • Humidifiers & dehumidifiers
  • Incomplete games & puzzles
  • Lighting fixtures - hardwired, mountable
  • Liquids of any kind
  • Luggage - without wheels
  • Mattresses & waterbeds
  • Mirrors - unframed and/or oversized
  • Personal care products (e.g. makeup, shampoo)
  • Pianos & organs
  • Quilt frames
  • Recalled & banned items
  • Recyclable items (e.g.  glass jars, plastic & paper bags, plastic cartons, takeout containers, water bottles)​
  • Sewing machines
  • Technology - outdated (e.g. slides & projectors)
  • Televisions
  • Window blinds with cords
  • Wire hangers 
For Income Tax Purposes: The IRS advises that it is the responsibility of the contributor to estimate the fair market value of contributed items. These non-cash items must be in "good" or "workable" condition or better to receive a tax deduction. Check the MCC web site for fair market value on thrift shop items.