You have replaced your pillows, the old ones are clean and still usable, and throwing them in the trash feels wasteful. So you load them into the car and drive to Goodwill, where a donation attendant politely declines them. It is one of the most common frustrations in the whole business of getting rid of bedding, and the reason behind it is straightforward once you know it.
Here is what actually happens with used pillows, and where they can genuinely go.
The short answer
Most Goodwill locations do not accept used bed pillows. Goodwill is not one national organization but a network of independent regional affiliates, each setting its own donation policy, so there is no single rule that applies everywhere. In practice, the large majority decline used pillows for the same reason they decline used mattresses: items that sit directly against a sleeper's face and skin are difficult to resell under state health and sanitation rules, and stores cannot verify how they were stored or cleaned.
New pillows still in their packaging are a different matter and are often welcome. Decorative throw pillows and pillow shams, which are washable and are not slept on, are usually accepted too.
Because the policy varies by affiliate, call the specific store before you drive over. A one-minute phone call saves a wasted trip and, more importantly, saves the store from having to pay to dispose of something they cannot sell.
Why used pillows get turned away
It is not squeamishness. Three practical things are going on:
- Health regulations. Several states restrict the resale of used bedding, and where resale is allowed it often requires sanitizing and labeling that a thrift store is not equipped to do.
- Disposal cost. Charities pay to haul away what they cannot sell. Bulky, unsellable donations are a direct cost to the organization, which is why the good ones are firm about their lists.
- Nobody buys them. Even where resale is permitted, secondhand pillows sell poorly. Shelf space in a thrift store is finite and goes to items that move.
The same logic applies to mattresses, which is why we wrote a separate guide on whether Goodwill takes mattresses and what to do instead.
What Goodwill usually does accept from your bedroom
Policies differ, but these tend to be on the yes list at most locations:
- Sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers, clean and without tears
- Comforters, quilts and blankets in good condition, freshly laundered
- Decorative throw pillows, cushion covers and shams
- New pillows and mattress protectors in unopened packaging
- Curtains, bedspreads and bed skirts
Comforters and blankets are the ones people are most often surprised about. They are generally accepted where used pillows are not, because they are washable, they hold up to resale, and they do not carry the same regulatory baggage. Wash them first and bring them folded rather than stuffed in a bag; donation attendants sort faster and the items are more likely to make it to the floor.
Where used pillows can actually go
Animal shelters and rescues
This is the single best destination for a clean used pillow, and the one most people never think of. Shelters, rescues, boarding facilities and wildlife rehabilitators use old pillows, blankets and towels as bedding for kennels and crates. They do not need them to be pretty, only clean and free of loose stuffing that an animal could swallow. Call ahead, because a shelter that is already overflowing with donated linens will tell you so, and some have specific requirements about what they can use.
Homeless shelters and transitional housing
Many shelters need pillows constantly, but almost all of them require new ones for the same health reasons the thrift stores cite. Some transitional housing programs and family services organizations accept gently used bedding when they are furnishing an apartment for someone leaving a shelter. Ask what they need rather than what you have; the answer is often sheets, towels or new pillows rather than used ones.
Textile recycling
Pillows that are past saving do not have to become landfill. Textile recycling programs accept worn fabric goods and process them into insulation, carpet padding and industrial rags. Some municipal programs and clothing-collection bins take them; check whether yours accepts pillows specifically, as many are limited to clothing and shoes.
Repurpose them at home
Before you donate or discard, consider the obvious uses. An old pillow becomes a pet bed, a knee cushion for gardening, packing material for fragile items in a move, floor cushions for kids, or stuffing for a decorative cover. Down and feather fill in particular is worth salvaging, since it can be washed and reused inside a new shell.
How to prepare bedding for donation
Whatever the destination, a little preparation dramatically raises the odds your items are accepted:
- Wash everything. Sheets, blankets and comforters should be freshly laundered. Nothing gets rejected faster than a bag that smells stored.
- Check for damage. Tears, stains, broken zippers and missing buttons mean the item cannot be sold. Set those aside for textile recycling rather than donation.
- Fold and bag by category. Sheets with sheets, blankets with blankets. Loose, mixed bags slow sorting down and some get discarded unsorted.
- Call first. One call confirms both the current policy and the drop-off hours, which are often shorter than the store's retail hours.
A note for Los Angeles
If you are clearing out bedding because you are replacing the whole bed, the mattress is the harder problem. California funds a statewide mattress recycling program through a fee collected at purchase, which means recycling an old mattress is generally free at participating collection sites. We cover how that works on our mattress recycling fee page, and our guide to donating a mattress in Los Angeles lists the routes that actually work locally.
When we deliver a new mattress, we can take the old one away at the same time, which spares you the trip entirely. Details are on our delivery page.
Frequently asked questions
Can you donate pillows to Goodwill?
New pillows in unopened packaging are usually accepted. Used bed pillows are usually not, though policy is set by each regional Goodwill affiliate rather than nationally, so a small number of locations do take them. Call the specific store you plan to visit and ask before loading the car.
Where can I donate pillows?
Animal shelters and rescue organizations are the most reliable destination for clean used pillows, since they use them as kennel bedding and do not have resale restrictions to work around. Beyond that, some transitional housing programs accept gently used bedding, and textile recycling handles pillows that are too worn to reuse. Homeless shelters typically need new pillows rather than used ones.
Can you donate used pillows at all?
Yes, to the right places. The restriction is on resale, not on use. Organizations that will use a pillow rather than sell it, such as animal shelters and some community programs, can generally accept clean used ones. Thrift stores that depend on reselling donations usually cannot.
Where can I donate pillows and blankets together?
Animal shelters take both and are usually glad to have them. For blankets specifically you have more options than for pillows, since thrift stores, family services organizations and warming centers all accept clean blankets. If you are dropping off a mixed load, call the shelter first and ask what they are short of that week.
Does Goodwill take comforters?
Generally yes, provided they are clean and undamaged. Comforters, quilts and blankets are washable and resell reasonably well, so they sit on the accepted list at most locations even where used pillows do not. Launder yours before dropping it off and fold it rather than bagging it loose.
How often should pillows be replaced?
Most pillows need replacing every one to two years, sooner for softer fills that flatten quickly. If yours no longer springs back when folded in half, or you wake with neck stiffness that eases as the day goes on, it has stopped doing its job. See our guides on when to replace a pillow and how to wash pillows to get the most out of the ones you keep.
Replacing more than the pillows?
A new pillow only solves so much. If you are waking up sore and the pillow was the thing you changed most recently, the mattress underneath it is usually the real variable. Take our sleep quiz for a firmness recommendation, or visit one of our five Los Angeles showrooms and test the difference in person. We offer same-day delivery across much of LA, old-mattress removal on delivery, and a free 120-night comfort guarantee. Start with our pressure-relief mattresses if shoulder and neck pain is what got you searching in the first place.
