
Goodwill is a charitable organization that accepts donations of gently used items in good and clean condition. They have strict policies on what they can and cannot accept, with some items being refused due to safety concerns or because they are non-recyclable. While they do accept a wide variety of items, including vehicles and boats, they generally do not accept used personal care items such as perfumes, nail polish remover, shampoo, shaving cream, and hairsprays. However, there are reports of certain Goodwill locations, such as in Chicago, accepting used perfumes. When it comes to donating used perfumes, it is best to check with your local Goodwill store or explore alternative options, such as giving them away or donating them to other charitable organizations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Accept used perfumes | No |
| Reasons | Considered hazardous waste, not in clean and sellable condition |
| Alternative charitable organizations that accept used perfumes | Salvation Army, local shelters, other charitable thrift stores |
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What You'll Learn

Goodwill does not accept used perfumes
Perfumes, colognes, and other partially used or open personal care items, such as nail polish remover, shampoo, shaving cream, and hairspray, are among the items that Goodwill donation centers typically do not accept. This is because these items are considered hazardous materials or may not be in a clean and sellable condition, as required by Goodwill's donation policy.
Goodwill's focus is on accepting gently used items that are in good, clean, safe, and resalable condition. Items that are not in compliance with current safety standards or are difficult to transport or sell may also be declined. These restrictions help ensure that donations can be safely handled, easily resold, and used to fund Goodwill's job training and placement programs.
If you are looking to donate used perfumes, there are alternative options to consider. Some other charitable thrift stores and organizations, such as the Salvation Army, do accept used perfumes. You can also offer them to friends, family, or neighbors, or list them online for sale or giveaway. Shelters may also accept perfume donations, although it is best to check with them beforehand.
While Goodwill does not accept used perfumes, there are still many ways to find new homes for these items and ensure that they are enjoyed and appreciated by others.
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Other charitable thrift stores do
Goodwill does not accept used perfumes, but there are other charitable thrift stores that do.
Several charities accept new or gently used makeup, skincare, hair, and body products, including perfume. For example, Beauty Bus delivers support to terminally ill patients and caregivers through beauty services and products. They accept new, sealed products that are at least six months from their expiration date but do not take used perfumes. Give and Makeup, a UK-based charity, supports women and children who have experienced domestic violence and accepts secondhand makeup. Share Your Beauty Family-to-Family is another organisation that accepts new, unopened, and unexpired cosmetics, hair and skincare products, nail polish, perfume samples, and personal care items.
Local women's shelters and girls' programs also often accept self-care products, so calling nearby organisations to coordinate a drop-off is an option. Additionally, Anglo Doorstep Collections offers a unique service, collecting used toiletries, perfumes, and gift sets from people's doorsteps to donate to their partner charities.
These organisations provide an avenue to recycle and repurpose gently used items, reducing waste and providing essential products to those in need.
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Give them away to friends or family
While Goodwill does accept donations, they will not accept partially used or open personal care items, including perfume. If you have perfume that you no longer want, one option is to give it away to friends or family.
Giving perfume as a gift can be a thoughtful way to show your love and care for someone. It can be luxurious, accessible, and budget-friendly option for birthdays or other special occasions. However, it is important to keep in mind that selecting the right perfume as a gift can be tricky. Guessing someone's taste is difficult, and even if you know they like a particular scent, there is no guarantee that they will like the fragrance you choose. It is also important to consider whether the recipient is a fragrance person at all. Many people do not wear perfume or cologne regularly, and giving them a bottle may imply that you think they need to improve their scent.
If you know your friends' and family's favourite scents, you could give them something from that line, such as soaps or scented confectionery. You could also introduce them to your favourite lines by making a set of perfume samples. However, it is important to be mindful of budget limitations and avoid giving expensive samples that your friends or family may feel obligated to repurchase.
When giving perfume as a gift, it is essential to consider the potential implications. You don't want to accidentally imply that you think the recipient doesn't smell good or that your gesture is too romantic. It is also worth thinking about the long-term implications; you wouldn't want your friend to feel obligated to wear a perfume they don't like just to please you. Additionally, allergies and physical reactions to fragrances are possible, so it is a risk to give someone a perfume they haven't chosen themselves.
Overall, while giving away your used perfume to friends or family can be a kind gesture, it is important to be thoughtful and considerate in your approach to avoid any potential mishaps or misunderstandings.
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$24.85

Sell them online
While Goodwill does accept used items, there are certain restrictions on the types of products that can be donated. Partially used or open personal care items such as perfumes are not accepted by Goodwill. However, if you're looking to sell your used perfumes online, there are several platforms and marketplaces available to you.
One option is to utilise online retailers and marketplaces such as Amazon, Mercari, Rakuten, OnlinePerfumeStore, Scentiments, and Perfume.com. These websites provide a platform for sellers to connect with buyers from around the world, offering competitive prices and a wide reach.
Another option is to create your own online store through platforms like Ecwid. Ecwid allows you to create a dedicated perfume store or add a shopping cart to your existing website. You can then sell your perfumes on social media, Google, or through marketplaces like Amazon or eBay. Ecwid also offers features such as automatic shipping label generation and easy payment and tax options, making the process more convenient.
Additionally, you can explore niche communities and Facebook groups dedicated to fragrances, such as r/fragrance on Reddit or groups like "The Fragrance Guru Nation" and "Fragrance Marketplace." These communities often allow members to buy and sell fragrances, providing a targeted audience for your products.
When choosing a platform, consider factors such as reach, quality, pricing, and ease of use to determine which option best suits your needs and preferences.
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Donate to a women's shelter
While Goodwill does not accept used perfumes, there are other options for donating these items. Women's shelters often accept donations of perfume samples, as well as other beauty products. Local women's shelters are almost always looking for self-care products, and you can call the ones near you to see what items they will accept. You can then coordinate a drop-off for the applicable items.
One such shelter is Give and Makeup, a UK-based charity that supports women and children who have been victims of domestic violence. They accept secondhand makeup (although lip glosses and mascaras must be new). Their website states: "If you would be embarrassed to give it to a friend, please do not send it to these women."
Project Beauty Share is another organization that donates personal hygiene, beauty products, and makeup to women and families who are overcoming hardship. They accept unused products ranging from moisturizers and deodorants to foundation and new makeup brushes.
Another option is to host a beauty product swap party with your friends. This way, you can pass on your unwanted items to friends who will make use of them, and you can also get new products that are better suited to your needs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Goodwill does not accept used perfumes. However, they do accept a wide variety of other items, including vehicles and boats in all conditions.
Used perfumes are considered hazardous waste and cannot be dumped into the trash as is. Goodwill will not accept any items that are non-recyclable or contain hazardous materials.
You can try donating your used perfume to a women's shelter or a charity organisation that won't sell your perfume for profit. You can also give them to friends, family or neighbours.
Yes, you can sell your used perfume online. Resellers tend to snap them up quickly.











































