Where to Donate Bedding – 5 places that will accept your old bedding and help those in need this winter

The weather is forecast to be freezing this week, so I’m sure we’re all feeling extra grateful for our cozy bedding sets. However, this is not the reality for everyone, and with the colder nights coming, we must extend a helping hand to our neighbors, and that is where bedding donation comes into play.

IBedding isn’t the easiest thing to get rid of, and if you’re trying to figure out what to do with your old comforter. Even the best pillows and best comforters have their day, but fortunately, there are plenty of charities, shelters, and community programs that are in desperate need of your old bedding this winter — provided it’s in good condition, free of rips and stains.

“Throughout the winter months it can get very cold, so it’s important that instead of throwing away old bedding you donate it to charity shops, second-hand stores and homeless shelters so it can be reused by those who need it most.” Lee Trethewey is an in-house expert at the sustainable furniture company.

Here’s how you can help those in need this winter.

1. Take your old mattress to the charity shop

Charity shops and second-hand stores are a great place to donate old bedding so it can be resold and reused. This extends the life of the mattress as well as contributing money to charitable organizations. Before donating, it is a good idea to check with the charity shop to ensure they accept bedding, as some items are not accepted in some charity shops. In addition, it is important to ensure that the bedding is in good condition without holes or tears before donating it.

Charities accepting bedding as donations include The Salvation Army, Oxfam, British Red Cross and Crisis and Shelter. You can also reach out to find out if charities are looking for a particular type of bedding – such as brushed cotton, thicker blankets or warmer clothing.

2. Donate to your local homeless shelter

During the winter, homeless shelters will also look for additional beds and blankets to help support street homeless people during cold weather.

“This ensures that individuals who do not have a stable home will have a warm mattress,” Lee says.

You can contact your local homeless shelter directly to see if they need extra beds, or alternatively contact charities focused on ending homelessness such as St Mungo’s. Online tools like Homeless Link can be used to find local shelters looking for donations.

3. Use Dunelm’s textile recovery plan

“At The Fine Bedding Company, we suggest you use Dunelms’ in-store recycling program – they accept all brands,” recommends Laura Keay, Sustainability Director at The Fine Bedding Company.

Dunelm has partnered with The Salvation Army to create a Textile Take Back Scheme, where you can donate your old textiles (including bedding) either in store or by post. Items that reach zero will be donated to charitable causes and reused, or if the bedding is not reusable, it will be recycled. The planner is free and ensures your bedding will be for a good cause.

4. Take old bedding to animal shelters

It’s not just people who benefit from a beautiful bedding set, our furry friends can benefit from some extra warmth too.

“Many local animal shelters use pillows as bedding for their furry friends – they’re the perfect size as a comfy bed for cats and small dogs, so this would be a great option if you’d prefer to donate pillows,” says Mark. Tremlett, founder of Naturalmat.

You can also contact us to see if they are also expecting extra blankets. Charities such as the RSPCA, Battersea Cat’s and Dog’s Home and the National Animal Welfare Trust accept bedding donations. Alternatively, you can contact local vets who will be able to guide you or even accept donations themselves.

5. Try your local community

They say charity begins at home, so why not reach out to your local church, community center or youth ministry to ask about donations? Many of these organizations will run fundraising campaigns where they push for specific donations.

Your local community center will have plenty of information online and in person about local charities in your area.

Moreover, Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree are also good sites to donate old bedding. You can also try your local Facebook group to see if a neighbor needs bedding.

Your old mattress will have a huge impact on those who need it most. Instead of taking it to a landfill, give your mattress a second chance at life and benefit society at the same time.