Spring Cleaning? What Goodwill Stores in Maine Will Not Accept

Listen, we get it, we want to get rid of our clutter too, but for whatever reason, Goodwill won’t accept any of these items as donations.

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Spring cleaning in Maine is a great way to freshen up your home after a long winter, even if this winter was a unique one for us.

Whether you're clearing out extra holiday items or items you no longer need, it's a chance to declutter and make space for new things.

With longer days and warmer weather, many Mainers find motivation to tackle cleaning tasks. It's a tradition that can signify a fresh start and bring a sense of accomplishment; it’s the busy work that gets done now, so you can have worry-free fun when it’s nicer out. So, out with the old and in with the new—right?

And there are many ways to get your unwanted junk out of your space and into the proper hands.

You can host a yard or garage sale to sell unwanted items or rent a dumpster for larger cleanouts. Donating items to stores that accept them is another great option, though some places may have restrictions, like what we’re focusing on today: Goodwill.

While Goodwill does accept a lot of inventory, there are, however, limitations on what they can accept. Legal and liability risks, safety concerns, hazardous/universal waste issues, and recycling or disposal fees are factors that may lead Goodwill employees to decline a donation. This could also be the case if the item is not in a clean or 'saleable' condition.

Additionally, Goodwill store employees frequently assist with unloading donations. However, they are unable to provide assistance if, in their judgment, doing so may potentially damage a vehicle or pose a safety risk to themselves or others.

Annually, Goodwill updates its 'Cannot Accept List,' and we bring you the latest updates from the 'Goodwill's 2024 Cannot Accept List.'