Wanting to clean out your closets?

Organizations like Goodwill and the Salvation Army welcome donations of used clothing and household goods — but there are some basic ground rules you should know.

"I tell people, if it's good enough for a family member, it's good enough for Goodwill," said Sheila Holt, director of public relations and marketing for Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh.

For instance, Goodwill and the Salvation Army both accept all new or gently used clothing, appliances and furniture.

Linda Fair, manager of the Goodwill store in Butler, said items that sell the best in her store are books, clothing and housewares.

"The problem is getting good quality items," she said.

Martina O'Leary of the Salvation Army said clothing items bring in the most sales, but there are items the organization can't accept.

"We do not take anything ... that we can't dispose of because of environmental reasons," like refrigerators, televisions and computers, she said.

However, some people just don't get the picture, and some unusual items frequently turn up at charity thrift stores.

For example, Goodwill Industries of Pittsburgh reported donations of a litter of kittens, a crockpot full of chili and even an urn full of someone's ashes.

Salvation Army gets some weird items, too.

"Sometimes we get things that we just don't know what it is," O'Leary said.

Most stores have designated collection or drop-off centers, although some offer pickup services, too.

Here are some tips for making good donations:

• Call ahead to the charity and find out what it can and can't take.

• Make sure all donated clothing items are washed or dry-cleaned.

• Do not donate items that are heavily soiled or in disrepair.

• Use common sense. Live animals or plants, firearms, toxic or flammable items or electronics with missing parts are not acceptable donations.

• Check electrical items to make sure they work.

• Don't donate items that have been recalled or banned due to safety hazards.

• Research the charity. Try to donate to charities that make the most of their donation dollars.