Personal Hygiene & Small Household Donations
Mainspring Community Food & Clothing Pantry
Personal hygiene products and small household items help neighbors care for themselves, prepare meals, organize their belongings, and create safer, more comfortable living spaces. Please donate items that are clean, complete, safe, and ready to use.
Important Update #1: Please Do Not Leave Donations Outside
Any food, clothing, or other donations left outside the building, delivered outside established donation hours, or left without prior arrangements with a Mainspring staff member will be discarded.
Once donations have been left unattended, we cannot confirm whether they have been exposed to moisture, pests, bodily fluids, drug residue, hazardous substances, or other forms of contamination. For the health and safety of our clients, volunteers, and staff, unattended donations cannot be brought into the facility or distributed to the community.
Please bring donations only during established donation hours unless you have made arrangements directly with a Mainspring staff member.
Important Update #2: No Knives or Weapons
Knives and weapons cannot be donated to Mainspring.
This includes:
- Kitchen knives, carving knives, steak knives, and knife blocks containing knives
- Pocketknives, hunting knives, utility knives, and multitools containing blades
- Machetes, axes, hatchets, swords, and similar sharp weapons or tools
- Firearms, BB guns, pellet guns, ammunition, weapon parts, and realistic replica weapons
- Pepper spray, stun devices, and other defensive weapons
- Any item designed or intended to cause injury
For the safety of our clients, volunteers, and staff, please do not bring these items into the facility or leave them outside.
Items We Cannot Accept
- Leaking, expired, contaminated, unlabeled, or improperly packaged personal hygiene products
- Opened or used makeup and cosmetics
- Used toothbrushes, razors, applicators, or other hygiene items that cannot be safely shared
- Prescription or over-the-counter medications, supplements, or medical waste
- Weapons, fuel, propane cylinders, flammable liquids, or hazardous chemicals
- Broken, rusty, heavily stained, moldy, pest-damaged, or incomplete household items
- Cracked or chipped dishes, cookware with peeling nonstick coating, or unsafe glassware
- Electrical appliances with damaged cords, missing parts, exposed wiring, burning odors, or known recalls
- Nonworking, damaged, wet, moldy, incomplete, or unusable tents
- Wet sleeping bags, towels, or other textiles
- Large furniture, large appliances, and mattresses—please review the Community Warehouse referral below
- Anything left outside or unattended
Electrical and Camping Safety
Small appliances and camping equipment must be safe, complete, and functional. Please do not donate items that require repair.
- Electrical cords and plugs must be intact with no fraying or exposed wire.
- Appliances must power on and operate correctly.
- Tents must include the needed poles, stakes, rainfly, and carrying bag whenever possible.
- Do not donate fuel, used fuel containers, propane cylinders, camp stove fuel, knives, hatchets, weapons, or unsafe fire-starting materials.
💡 Tip to Remember
Please donate only clean, good, usable items that are ready to use.
Ask yourself: “Would I feel comfortable giving this directly to a neighbor or using it in my own home?” If the answer is no, please do not donate it.
Clean, Test, and Keep Sets Together
- Wash and completely dry towels, tents, sleeping bags, and other washable items.
- Wash dishes, cookware, utensils, bottles, and food-contact items.
- Wipe down appliances and remove crumbs, grease, coffee grounds, and residue.
- Test small appliances before donating them.
- Place cords, lids, attachments, poles, stakes, and other matching parts with the main item.
- Label boxes containing breakable items and pack them securely.
When and Where to Donate
Standard donation hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, unless a current notice states otherwise.
Please use the designated receiving area and follow staff directions. Contact Mainspring before bringing a large quantity, an unusual item, or anything you are unsure about.
Large Furniture Referral: Community Warehouse
Mainspring does not accept large furniture, large appliances, or mattresses. Community Warehouse may be able to accept clean, gently used, home-ready furniture and household goods that meet its current donation guidelines.
Portland Furniture Bank
Community Warehouse
3961 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR 97212
Phone: 503-235-8786
Donation hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Community Warehouse also has furniture banks in Gresham and Tigard and offers qualifying pickup options. Please call first or review its current guidelines before loading or delivering furniture.
Community Warehouse furniture donation information
Locations and contact information
Select any green heading to open its complete donation guidance.
1. Personal Hygiene Products
Partially Used Products We Accept
Partially used shampoo, conditioner, and lotion may be donated. These items must be in their original, clearly labeled containers with secure lids or pumps. They must be clean on the outside, unexpired, free from contamination, and packaged so they cannot leak.
New and Unopened Products
- Makeup and cosmetics must be new, unopened, and in their original packaging.
- Soap and body wash
- Deodorant and antiperspirant
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, and denture-care products
- Razors and shaving products
- Menstrual pads, tampons, liners, and incontinence products
- Diapers, pull-ups, and baby wipes
- Travel-size hygiene products and ready-to-distribute hygiene kits
Other Helpful Items
- Clean combs, brushes, and unused hair accessories
- Unopened hair-care and skin-care products
2. Pots, Pans & Cookware
- Clean pots, pans, skillets, saucepans, and stockpots
- Lids that fit the donated cookware
- Baking sheets, baking pans, casserole dishes, and mixing bowls
- Colanders, strainers, cutting boards, measuring cups, and measuring spoons
- Cooking utensils such as spatulas, serving spoons, ladles, tongs, and whisks
Cookware must be clean and usable, with secure handles and no dangerous rust, cracks, sharp damage, or peeling coating.
3. Dishes, Glassware & Tableware
- Plates, bowls, cups, mugs, and drinking glasses
- Forks, spoons, table knives, and complete flatware sets
- Food-storage containers with matching lids
- Serving bowls, platters, and serving utensils
- Reusable water bottles and travel mugs that are thoroughly clean
Please securely pack breakable items. Do not donate anything chipped, cracked, or unsafe.
4. Towels & Washable Household Linens
- Bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, and kitchen towels
- Dishcloths, cleaning cloths, and reusable household cloths
- Clean blankets, throws, and washable bedding when currently needed
- Shower curtains and washable bath mats in good condition
All textile items must be freshly washed, completely dry, stain-free, and free of smoke, mildew, pet hair, pests, and strong odors.
5. Working Tents & Outdoor Shelter
Mainspring accepts only tents that are complete, functional, clean, dry, and ready to use. We do not accept nonworking or damaged tents.
- Waterproof tents without holes, mildew, or broken zippers
- Complete tent poles, stakes, rainflies, repair patches, and carrying bags
- Clean, usable tarps, ground cloths, and compact shade shelters
- Clean sleeping pads and insulated mats
Please assemble and inspect every tent before donating it to confirm that it works and that all essential parts are present.
6. Sleeping Bags & Camping Bedding
- Clean sleeping bags with working zippers
- Camping blankets and washable travel bedding
- Compact pillows in clean, usable condition
- Sleeping pads and roll-up mats
All items must be freshly cleaned, fully dry, and free from mold, pests, smoke, bodily fluids, and strong odors.
7. Bags, Backpacks & Small Luggage
- Backpacks, day packs, duffel bags, and tote bags
- Reusable shopping bags and insulated grocery bags
- Small suitcases and rolling bags
- Toiletry bags, packing organizers, and compact storage bags
Zippers, wheels, straps, handles, and closures must work. Empty every pocket and remove personal information.
8. Camping Equipment
- Flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps in working condition
- Camping chairs, compact folding tables, and clean coolers
- Reusable camping dishes and utensils
- Water containers and clean insulated bottles
- Non-fuel camping accessories, cord, tent repair kits, and weather-safe storage items
Do not include fuel, propane, weapons, knives, hatchets, or damaged safety equipment.
9. Small Toasters & Toaster Ovens
- Small pop-up toasters
- Compact toaster ovens that are clean and fully functional
- Required crumb trays, racks, and manufacturer attachments
Appliances must be grease-free and crumb-free, with intact cords and plugs. Please test them before donation.
10. Coffee Makers & Beverage Appliances
- Small drip coffee makers
- Single-serve coffee makers with reusable components when possible
- Electric kettles and compact hot-water appliances
- Clean carafes, filters, lids, and required attachments
Remove all coffee grounds, mineral buildup, and residue. Glass carafes must be free of cracks and chips.
11. Other Small Kitchen Appliances
- Can openers, hand mixers, blenders, and compact food processors
- Rice cookers, slow cookers, and small electric skillets
- Compact microwaves only when currently requested and approved by staff
- Other clean countertop appliances that are safe, complete, and easy to store
Every appliance must work correctly and include its essential lid, bowl, blade guard, tray, cord, or attachment.
12. Small Household Basics
- Small wastebaskets, laundry baskets, and storage bins
- Hangers, shelf organizers, and compact household organization items
- Small lamps with safe cords and working switches
- Basic cleaning tools such as new sponges, brushes, dustpans, and unopened cleaning supplies
- Small clocks and other simple household necessities in working condition
13. Best Donation Practice
Donate with the future recipient in mind. Every item should be clean, safe, complete, usable, and ready for immediate distribution. If you are unsure whether an item is appropriate, ask a Mainspring staff member before unloading it.