Used underwear is not accepted at most Goodwill locations due to hygiene and resale concerns.
You just pulled a decade-old pair of socks from your dresser, along with a stack of bras and underwear that have seen better days. They’re clean. They’re folded. Surely someone could use them, right?
The honest answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no. Most Goodwill locations have strict rules about used underwear, but some branches say yes under certain conditions. Here is what the policies actually look like and what you can do instead.
Why Most Goodwill Locations Say No
Used underwear presents a hygiene problem that most thrift stores simply aren’t equipped to handle. The average shopper is unlikely to buy something that has been worn against someone else’s skin, even if it appears clean and freshly laundered.
Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago explicitly states it does not accept donations of socks or underwear, period. This policy is fairly standard across the organization, though it is not universal.
The logic is straightforward. Thrift stores operate as retail outlets, not recycling centers. If an item cannot reasonably be resold, accepting it creates disposal costs and wasted staff time sorting through unsellable textiles.
Why The Confusion Sticks
The reason people keep asking about used underwear donations makes sense. Generous intentions meet conflicting information online, and the policies are far from consistent.
- Regional variation is real: Goodwill is a network of independent regional organizations, each setting its own donation rules. What one branch rejects, another may accept.
- Clean items feel fine: Most donors assume that freshly washed underwear in good condition should be reusable, but thrift stores operate on customer comfort, not just cleanliness.
- Forum stories are mixed: Some users report their local Goodwill takes underwear and puts salable items on the sales floor, while others were turned away immediately.
- Unwritten rules exist: Some regional Goodwill locations, like Goodwill of Washington state, list general textile guidelines without specifically mentioning underwear, leaving the decision to individual store managers.
- Packaged new items are different: Unopened, new-in-package underwear is almost always accepted, which is the main exception to the rule.
So when people ask about donate underwear goodwill, the answer comes down to location and luck. Checking with your specific branch before driving over is the only reliable way to know.
What To Ask Before You Drop Off
Before you bag up a donation run, take two minutes to call or visit the website of your local Goodwill. A quick check saves you the awkward moment of being turned away at the donation door.
Per the source at Goodwillgreatermc, the Greater Milwaukee and Chicago region makes its rule clear: no socks or underwear. You can expect similar policies in many metro areas, though rural locations may be more lenient.
| Region or Branch | Used Underwear Policy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago | Not accepted | Explicitly stated for socks and underwear |
| Goodwill Alberta, Canada | Accepted if clean and in good condition | Accepting new or gently used items |
| Goodwill Washington State | Not specified | General guidelines; ask store manager |
| Goodwill Southeastern Wisconsin | Not accepted | Same policy as Milwaukee region |
| Most other U.S. Goodwill locations | Likely not accepted | Check your branch directly |
The key takeaway: if the item is used and not in its original sealed packaging, the odds are against you at most locations. Packaged new underwear is a different story — that is almost always welcomed.
Better Alternatives For Used Underwear
If Goodwill says no in your area — or even if it says yes — there are several more reliable ways to give your used underwear a second life. Some are charitable, some are recycling, and all are straightforward.
- The Bra Recyclers: This social enterprise specifically accepts used bras and underwear to extend their life and distribute them to families and nonprofits. They handle the sorting and hygiene vetting for you.
- I Support the Girls: A nonprofit that collects new and used bras in good condition plus unused menstrual hygiene products for people experiencing homelessness. Underwear is accepted as part of the program.
- Subset Recycling Program: A commercial program that accepts all types of intimates via the Trashie Take Back Bag, including underwear, bras, and holey socks. You pay for the bag, and the textiles get recycled.
- Clothing banks and rag merchants: Unlike charity shops, clothing banks accept used underwear because items are sorted for recycling or sold by weight. Check for local textile drop-off bins that explicitly say they take all fabrics.
- St. Vincent DePaul or Savers: Some locations accept all textiles, including old underwear, for either resale or recycling. Call ahead to confirm the policy at your closest store.
Each option has different rules about condition. The Bra Recyclers and I Support the Girls want clean, intact items with no stains or tears. Clothing banks are the most lenient, accepting even damaged pieces for recycling.
What About New Or Packaged Underwear?
New underwear, still in its original sealed packaging, is a completely different donation category. Most Goodwill locations and nearly all charity shops welcome sealed packages. The hygiene concern disappears once the item has never been worn.
This is where policies shift from restrictive to generous. Even locations that explicitly refuse used underwear will accept packs of new undershirts, boxers, briefs, socks, and bras if the packaging is intact and unopened. The source for Goodwill Alberta accepts used underwear adds that even gently used items are okay there, but for most U.S. branches, new and sealed is the safe bet.
| Condition | Likely Accepted By |
|---|---|
| New, sealed package | Most Goodwill locations, most thrift stores |
| Clean, gently used | Goodwill Alberta, The Bra Recyclers, I Support the Girls, clothing banks |
| Worn, stained, or torn | Clothing banks only (for recycling), Subset Trashie Bag |
If you have a mix of new and used pieces, separate them. Donate the sealed packages to any thrift store, and send the used items to a dedicated program or recycling service instead.
The Bottom Line
Used underwear is not accepted at most Goodwill locations, but the rule is not absolute — some regional branches and alternative programs will take clean, gently used items. The easiest path forward is to donate new, sealed packages to any thrift store and direct used pieces toward The Bra Recyclers, I Support the Girls, or a local clothing bank that handles textile recycling.
Calling your local Goodwill before a donation trip saves you the hassle of a rejected bag and keeps your clothes out of the landfill.
If you are unsure what a particular shelter or thrift store in your area accepts, a quick phone call to that specific organization is the fastest way to get a reliable answer — policies shift, but the person at the donation door always knows the current rule.
References & Sources
- Goodwillgreatermc. “Donate Items” Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago explicitly states it does not accept donations of socks or underwear.
- Ab. “Can I Donate Underwear” Goodwill in Alberta, Canada, accepts new or gently used underwear as long as it is clean, dry, and in good condition.