Where to donate bedding and doonas in Melbourne

There is nothing quite like fresh new linen on your bed, but if you acquire new stuff, you also need to declutter. The minimalist’s mantra is “one in, one out”.

A lot of people ask me where to donate bedding and doonas in Melbourne, so here goes. 

As-new pillows and doonas

The last time we checked, Savers, (Melbourne-wide) RIMERN (inner suburbs) and EERN (in the east) were accepting pillows and doonas as long as they were in newish condition with no discolouration.

You can also try free on Facebook Marketplace or in your local Buy Nothing or Good Karma group.

Old, yellowing pillows and doonas

Would you smush your face into a pillow someone else was discarding? Or snooze under a dusty old doona? Surplus pillows and doonas are often yellow and malodorous, and the best place for them is the bin. 

Even animal shelters can’t use feather products due to safety reasons (but may accept synthetic quilts). 

But good news about feather products – if you can rip open the fabric, genuine feathers are compostable or can be put in your council FOGO bin.

Blankets, sheets, washable quilts, pillow cases and other bedding

Most op shops take bedding in donatable condition, which means items you would feel okay about giving to a friend. 

Diabetes Victoria still collects linen and household items, which is a huge bonus.

Sacred Heart Mission collects in proximity to their stores and Salvos also – but there may be a several-week turnaround with the latter. 

Anything with stretched-out elastic, holes or stains is not donatable – but it could be useful for animal rescues and veterinary clinics, to handle animals and line their pens. Blankets, sheets and towels in particular.

The RSPCA in Burwood has a small room dedicated to donations, and I find CARE in Collingwood and Lort Smith in North Melbourne and Campbellfield to be willing recipients. There is also the Bundoora Vet Hospital, and plenty more – do a search for what’s in your area.

Also don’t forget that your local vet usually treats injured native animals, so has a need for old sheets and blankets too. And no matter who you are donating to, dumping on their doorstep in the dead of night is not ideal. Please ask first, as storage space is always a finite resource. 

Lastly, shabby (but clean) fabric bedding is eligible for recycling programs like those offered by Upparel,  H&M and Zara. 

Remember also, that you don’t have to update your bedding every year to match the seasonal Pantone colours. Fabric waste is a huge issue, and although governments and retail have a lot to answer for, you can vote with your (non) spending power and slow down consumption.

If you need hands-on help, get in touch.