All items · Electrical
Large appliances and white goods
Also covers: fridge, freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, tumble dryer, cooker
Why shops refuse it
Most shops can't collect, test or store white goods — though some charities with electrical stores do take them.
What to do instead
When selling a like-for-like replacement, retailers must provide a free take-back route, though collection on delivery is not always the service offered. Councils also provide local WEEE or bulky-waste routes.
Charity by charity
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Can't accept
Barnardo's
Also microwaves listed among small electricals not accepted.
Their wording
“White Goods such as washing machines or fridge freezers”
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Can't accept
British Red Cross
Microwaves are costly to test — standard appliance testers may not be qualified for the radiation tests.
Their wording
“Microwaves”
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Can't accept
Cancer Research UK
Also washing machines, tumble and washer dryers, and large garden appliances (e.g. lawnmowers).
Their wording
“Fridges and freezers”
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Can't accept
Claire House Children's Hospice
Their wording
“White goods”
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Can't accept
Cornwall Hospice Care
Ovens with glass fronts; white goods; refrigerators and freezers
Their wording
“Kitchen and Utility White goods”
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Can't accept
Crisis
Household appliances specifically excluded.
Their wording
“larger furniture items or household appliances”
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Can't accept
DEBRA
Their wording
“White goods (e.g., fridges/freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers)”
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Can't accept
Dogs Trust
Their wording
“white goods”
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Can't accept
Emmaus
Specifically excludes American-style, commercial, glass-fronted and integrated fridge freezers.
Their wording
“American style fridge freezers, commercial fridge freezers, glass fronted fridges, integrated fridge freezers”
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Can't accept
FARA Charity Shops
Their wording
“white goods (e.g. fridges, cookers, freezers)”
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Can't accept
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
Their wording
“White goods”
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Can't accept
Keech Hospice Care
Microwaves also not accepted.
Their wording
“washing machines, dishwashers, cookers”
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Can't accept
LOROS Hospice
Their wording
“White goods and large electrical items”
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Can't accept
Octavia Foundation
Their wording
“Large electrical items (including fridge/freezers and washing machines)”
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Can't accept
Oxfam
Their wording
“White goods (cookers, washing machines etc)”
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Can't accept
Phyllis Tuckwell
broad category rule
No electrical items of any kind currently accepted
Their wording
“Unfortunately we are currently unable to accept any electrical items or suitcases.”
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Can't accept
Shaw Trust
Includes built-in appliances, ovens with glass doors, tumble dryers, washer dryers and recalled Whirlpool/BEKO models.
Their wording
“2019-2020 Whirlpool washing machines”
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Can't accept
Shelter
White goods are excluded even at Furniture Shops.
Their wording
“white goods”
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Can't accept
St Barnabas Hospice (Lincolnshire)
Their wording
“Fridges, freezers, or fridge-freezers”
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Can't accept
St Giles Hospice
Includes fridges, tumble dryers, washing machines, ovens and microwaves
Their wording
“Fridges, tumble dryers, washing machines, washer dryers”
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Can't accept
St Peter's Hospice
Also ovens with glass front/doors
Their wording
“Tumble dryers”
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Can't accept
St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
Includes cookers, ovens with glass doors, tumble dryers and washer dryers.
Their wording
“Cookers and ovens with glass doors”
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Can't accept
Sue Ryder
White goods plus microwaves.
Their wording
“donated white goods - e.g. fridges, freezers or washing machines”
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Can't accept
The Children's Trust
Their wording
“White goods.”
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Can't accept
Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
Microwaves; white goods; fridges/freezers (Fleetwood shop may make exceptions - call ahead)
Their wording
“White goods: washers/dryers/dishwashers/cookers/”
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Can't accept
Wales Air Ambulance
Their wording
“Donated white goods and microwaves”
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Check first
British Heart Foundation
General white goods (fridges, washing machines, cookers) are typically only accepted/sold at BHF's dedicated Furniture & Electrical (Home) Stores, not regular shops. Not accepted anywhere: built-in kitchen appliances, tumble dryers, washer dryers, waste disposal units, ovens with glass doors, and specific recalled models (selected Whirlpool washing machines 2019-2020, selected Beko fridge/freezers).
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Check first
Overgate Hospice
Accepted only if less than five years old and fully working. Cookers (electric or gas) only if brand new in original packaging.
Their wording
“Large and small electrical appliances (less than five years old and in fully working condition)”
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Check first
Princess Alice Hospice
Full-size electric cookers, washing machines and tumble dryers not accepted; fridges/freezers only if under 5 years old, clean, defrosted and undamaged; hot plates and small electric cookers accepted if mains-plug powered
Their wording
“Hot plates and small electric cookers are accepted providing they are powered using a mains plug.”
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Check first
Save the Children
broad category rule
Exception: accepted at selected stores — donors are told to check first.
Their wording
“unable to accept electrical goods (except in selected stores - please check first)”
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Check first
Scope
Washing machines and fridges only accepted at the Wakefield and Grimsby shops (other shops take small electricals like kettles, TVs, lamps).
Their wording
“TVs, washing machines and fridges.”
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Check first
Willen Hospice
White goods must be in new/nearly new condition
Their wording
“White goods must be in new/nearly new condition”
Not mentioned in 12 charities' guidance
Absence from a charity's list doesn't mean they accept it — it just isn't singled out. Ask your local shop.
- Not mentioned Acorns Children's Hospice
- Not mentioned Age UK
- Not mentioned Dorothy House
- Not mentioned Marie Curie
- Not mentioned PDSA
- Not mentioned Salvation Army (SATCoL)
- Not mentioned Samaritans
- Not mentioned Sense Scotland
- Not mentioned St Christopher's Hospice
- Not mentioned Traid
- Not mentioned Woodgreen Pets Charity
- Not mentioned YMCA (England & Wales)