Clothes banks
Clothes banks and clothes donation
Give clothes you no longer wear to a charity shop or put them in a clothes bank. Worn out clothes can go in a textile bank too, so none of them need to go in the bin.
Clothes banks
Clothes and textile banks stand in many supermarket and local car parks. Many take clothes, towels, sheets and shoes in pairs.
In 2026 the Salvation Army began removing its clothing banks across the country. A bank may have gone, so check before a special trip.
Charity shops
Charity shops need clothes they can sell. The British Heart Foundation cannot take nightwear without a fire warning label, or worn underwear or swimwear without a hygiene strip.
Shops that take clothes back
Some high street shops, such as Primark and M&S, have clothing donation banks in store.
Collection and post
Some charities, such as the British Heart Foundation, collect from your home. The BHF also has a free postage label you can use at a Collect+ point.
Half of unwanted textiles are binned
Recycle Now says about 49% of unwanted textiles in the UK go in the rubbish bin. That is around 35 items per person each year.
Key facts
- Binmap lists 3,530 places that say they take clothes, including 196 tips.
- Another 104 places may take clothes, but they do not say so. Check before you go.
Last updated: 15 October 2026
Written by Binmap using guidance from Recycle Now and the British Heart Foundation.
Pages from the organisations involved
Advice from national bodies
What to do
- Sort clothes that someone could wear from ones that are worn out.
- Make sure everything is clean and dry.
- Tie shoes together in pairs.
- Put it all in a bag and tie it shut.
Mistakes to avoid
- Wet or dirty clothes cannot be sold and can spoil the rest of the bank.
Kinds of place that take it
- Clothes and textile banks
- Charity donation points
- Reuse shops
- Local recycling sites
Guides for similar items
Other kinds of place
Schemes and collection services
Binmap is independent and is not run by any council.