If you're clearing out a garage, basement, or doing an estate cleanout in Fort Collins, Habitat for Humanity ReStore is often the best first call for usable items. They resell donated building materials, appliances, and furniture at below-retail prices, and every dollar goes toward Habitat for Humanity builds in Larimer County. You get a tax receipt. They get inventory. Someone in need gets affordable housing. It's a good deal all around — but only if you bring the right stuff.
What ReStore Fort Collins Accepts
ReStore is focused on building materials and home goods — not general thrift goods. Here's what they're generally looking for:
- Furniture: Sofas, chairs, dining sets, dressers, beds — must be in good, clean condition without major structural damage or heavy staining
- Working appliances: Refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges — must be in working order and reasonably clean
- Cabinets: Kitchen and bathroom cabinets in good shape are among their most popular items
- Doors and windows: Interior and exterior doors, windows (must be intact, no broken glass)
- Hardware: Door hardware, cabinet pulls, hinges, locks
- Lighting: Light fixtures in working condition
- Flooring: Hardwood, tile, laminate — must be enough for a usable quantity
- Plumbing fixtures: Sinks, faucets, toilets in good condition
- Power tools: Working power tools are often accepted
- Building materials: Lumber, drywall, insulation (unused or lightly used)
Generally Accepted
- Working appliances
- Solid wood furniture
- Kitchen cabinets
- Doors & windows
- Lighting fixtures
- Hardware & plumbing
- Power tools (working)
- Flooring materials
Generally Not Accepted
- Mattresses
- Clothing & shoes
- Particle board furniture
- CRT televisions
- Broken appliances
- Hazardous materials
- Heavily stained items
- Encyclopedias / VHS tapes
Call ahead for large items. ReStore sometimes has limited floor space and may need to schedule large appliance or furniture donations. Their Fort Collins location is on E. Harmony Rd — confirm current drop-off hours on their website or by phone before loading up your truck.
The Drop-Off Process
Donations are typically accepted at their donation door, separate from the main store entrance. Pull up, let a staff member look at the items, and they'll make a call on what they can take that day. If they're overstocked in a category, they may decline even acceptable items — that's normal, not a judgment on your stuff.
When they accept items, they'll issue you a donation receipt with a description of what was donated. For tax purposes, you determine the fair market value — they don't assign a dollar amount. See our guide on how the donation tax deduction works for the IRS rules on valuing your items.
What to Do With Items ReStore Won't Take
ReStore turns away a lot of items — mattresses, clothing, anything in poor condition, particle board furniture. Here are the Fort Collins alternatives:
ARC Thrift — Fort Collins
ARC is much less selective than ReStore. They accept clothing, shoes, small appliances, household goods, books, toys, and most general thrift items. They have multiple Fort Collins locations. Good for the wide-net donation when you're not sure what's worth keeping. ARC supports services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Colorado.
Goodwill — Multiple Fort Collins Locations
Goodwill accepts clothing, household goods, small electronics, toys, and books. They don't take large appliances or furniture at most locations, but they're a reliable drop for mixed-bag donations. Look for the donation drive-through — quick and easy.
Matthews House / Local Nonprofits
Matthews House in Fort Collins sometimes accepts furniture and household goods for families transitioning out of poverty. Worth a call if you have quality furniture that ReStore might decline due to style rather than condition.
Tax Deduction: What's Worth Keeping Track Of
Any donation to a 501(c)(3) organization — ReStore, ARC, Goodwill — is potentially tax-deductible if you itemize on your federal return. The key steps:
- Always get a written receipt from the organization at drop-off
- For donations totaling over $250 in a single contribution, a written receipt is required by the IRS (a cash register receipt won't do)
- You assign the fair market value — what the item would sell for at a thrift store in its current condition
- For donations over $500 total for the year, you'll file IRS Form 8283 with your return
A typical garage cleanout donation run — working appliances, furniture, tools — can easily reach $200–$500 in deductible value. That's real money.
How Easy Garage Cleaning Handles Donations For You
When we do a garage cleanout, we sort donable items during the job and run a drop-off at ReStore (and ARC or Goodwill for items ReStore won't take) as part of the service. You don't need to make a separate trip, load your own car, or wait in the donation line.
After the drop-off, we bring you the itemized donation receipt in your name. The fair market value assessment is yours to make (we can help you think through it), but the receipt is ready for your tax preparer. This is included in our flat-rate price — no extra charge for the donation run.
Questions? Our FAQ covers donation and tax receipt specifics, or call us at (970) 999-1818.
EASY GARAGE CLEANING — FORT COLLINS, CO
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