When you downsize, sort belongings by where they can actually go. ReStore takes furniture in very good condition after inspection, the Barnstable Swap Shop takes small household goods but not furniture, and Massachusetts bans mattresses from disposal. Keep a written acknowledgment for donations of $250 or more.
Key points
- Habitat ReStore accepts furniture in new or very good condition and inspects every donation. It does not accept mattresses.
- The Barnstable Swap Shop takes small items like dishes, tools and bicycles, and does not take furniture, clothing or televisions.
- Mattresses are banned from disposal in Massachusetts, effective November 1, 2022, so they need their own route.
- For any contribution of $250 or more, the IRS says you need a written acknowledgment from the charity describing the property.
- Noncash deductions over $500 require Form 8283, according to IRS Topic 506.
How should you sort when downsizing?
Most downsizing stalls on the same question: what do I do with all of it? A useful way to cut it down is to sort by destination instead of by room. Keep, give to family, donate, sell, and dispose. Each destination has its own rules, and some of them reject things people assume they will take.
What will a donation site actually take?
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ReStore: furniture | Accepted in new or very good condition. Upholstered furniture is accepted in new or excellent condition, with no stains, damage or odor. All donations must be inspected and approved by staff.Source: Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod, retrieved 2026-11-10 | Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod retrieved 2026-11-10 |
| ReStore: not accepted | Mattresses, box springs, sofa beds, bedding, household linens and kitchenware, among others.Source: Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod, retrieved 2026-11-10 | Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod retrieved 2026-11-10 |
| Barnstable Swap Shop | Takes small household goods such as dishes, tools, bicycles and games in fair condition. Furniture, mattresses, clothing, televisions and appliances are listed as not accepted.Source: Town of Barnstable DPW, retrieved 2026-11-10 | Town of Barnstable DPW retrieved 2026-11-10 |
The full detail is in where to donate furniture on Cape Cod. Call before you load a vehicle, because inspection is the norm and a charity can say no.
What about the things nobody will take?
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Disposal ban | Mattresses are banned from disposal, incineration or transfer for disposal at a solid waste disposal facility. Effective November 1, 2022.Source: MassDEP via Cornell LII, retrieved 2026-11-10 | MassDEP via Cornell LII retrieved 2026-11-10 |
See how to get rid of a mattress in Massachusetts and what Massachusetts bans from the trash for the full list.
Do you need a receipt?
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $250 or more | For any contribution of $250 or more, you must obtain and keep a contemporaneous written acknowledgment from the qualified organization, with a description of any property other than cash contributed.Source: IRS, retrieved 2026-11-10 | IRS retrieved 2026-11-10 |
| Over $500 | If your deduction for any noncash contribution is more than $500, you must fill out and attach Form 8283.Source: IRS, retrieved 2026-11-10 | IRS retrieved 2026-11-10 |
Photograph what you donate and keep the charity's acknowledgment with your tax papers. A tax preparer can tell you whether the deduction applies to you.
A simple order for the work
- Decide what is moving with you, room by room, before anything else leaves.
- Offer family the keepsakes and heirlooms. See how to move antiques and heirlooms safely for anything fragile.
- Call donation sites with photos, and book their slot.
- Set aside mattresses, hazardous products and broken items for separate handling.
- Book help for the heavy carrying and the haul-away.
If you are moving to a smaller place, our senior and assisted living moves page covers that, and the steps are in planning a move into assisted living in Massachusetts. For the carrying and the haul-away, see our junk removal and hauling page and the junk removal overview. For the move itself, see moving on Cape Cod. To ask about a job, request a quote or call (508) 400-5788 any time, 24 hours a day.
Common questions
Where can I donate furniture when downsizing on Cape Cod?
Habitat for Humanity's ReStore takes furniture in very good condition after staff inspect it. The Barnstable Swap Shop does not take furniture. Call before loading anything.
Can I put an old mattress out with the trash in Massachusetts?
No. Mattresses have been banned from disposal since November 1, 2022, so they need a separate route.
Do I need a receipt for a donation?
For contributions of $250 or more, the IRS says you must keep a written acknowledgment from the charity that describes the property. Noncash deductions over $500 need Form 8283.
Should I sort by room or by destination?
Sorting by destination (keep, family, donate, sell, dispose) works better, because each destination has its own rules about what it accepts.
Planning a move or a cleanout?
Sources
- Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod, ReStore Donation, retrieved 2026-11-10, https://restorecapecod.org/restore-donation
- Town of Barnstable DPW, Solid Waste Division, retrieved 2026-11-10, https://publicworks.barnstable.gov/services/solid-waste-division/
- IRS, Topic no. 506, Charitable contributions, retrieved 2026-11-10, https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc506
- MassDEP via Cornell LII, 310 CMR 19.017 - Waste Bans, retrieved 2026-11-10, https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/310-CMR-19-017
General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm details with the agency linked above.