What we can and cannot take:

 

Cambridge SOFA is a community re-use project.  We only have a limited ability to repair items of furniture so we ask for all donated goods to be in reasonably good and still usable condition.  All electrical items must still be in working order.

 

Set out below is a summary of what we can and cannot accept

 

 

Soft Furniture

YES

NO

Armchairs, Divan Beds, Futons, Mattresses, Sofas, Sofa-Beds

Badly stained, torn, or very worn sofas and mattresses

Soft furniture that does not comply with Fire Regulations

Sofas, chairs with damaged frames

Mattresses with damaged springs

Wooden Furniture

YES

NO

Bedside cabinets, Bed-Frames, Bunk-Beds, Book-Cases, Bureaux, Chests of Drawers, Coffee Tables, Desks, Dining Tables & Chairs, Dressing Tables, Kitchen Tables, TV / Hi-Fi Units Wardrobes, Welsh Dressers

Sideboards and very large wall / display units

Flat-pack furniture that is falling apart!

Large Electrical Items

YES

NO

Electric Cookers, Dishwashers, Fridges, Freezers, Fridge-Freezers, Hoovers, Lawn-mowers, Microwaves, Tumble Dryers, TV’s, Video & DVD Players, Washing Machines

Fridges and freezers that are labelled R12

Any appliance that does not work.

TV’s, VCR’s etc without a remote control.

Small Electrical Appliances

YES

NO

Fans, Heaters, Kitchen Appliances, Lamps, Irons, Hairdryers, Portable Radio / Cassette / CD Players

Small appliances that are damaged or that do not work

Other Household Goods

YES

NO

Bedding, Carpets, Crockery, Curtains, Garden Tools, Garden Furniture, ironing Boards, Linen, Mirrors, Pictures, Prams, & Pushchairs, Rugs

Dirty, stained, worn or damaged curtains or linen

Carpet with foam backing

Cot mattresses

Child Safety Seats

Clothing or shoes

 

 

 

 

Further Guidance

 

Soft Furniture:

·       All sofas, mattresses, armchairs, sofa-beds, futons and upholstered dining chairs must have the correct fire labels attached. Please click here to see examples. 

 

Wooden Furniture:

·       We accept most items of wooden furniture as long as they are not broken or badly damaged. 

·       We ask that bed frames where possible are dismantled prior to collection and that all parts are present.

·       We ask that, if wardrobes, bureaux or cabinets can be locked, that the keys are provided.

 

Electrical Goods:

·       All appliances should be freestanding, reasonably clean and in working order. 

·       Fridges, freezers and fridge freezers made before 1994 are likely to contain CFCs. We are not able to accept these. If you are unsure as to the age of your appliance, you can check the appliance rating plate which is usually on the back.  If the refrigeration number is R12 or R11, this means that it does not comply with current legislation and we are unable to take the item.

·       If items such as TV’s, VCR’s, DVD players and Hi-Fi require a remote control to operate then we can only accept them with these.

 

Rugs and Carpets:

·       We can only accept rugs and carpets that are clean and in good condition.  We do not take carpet offcuts. 

 

Bedding and Linens:

·       Bedding, curtains and other linens should be clean and free from stains, tears or holes.

 

Child and Baby Equipment:

·       We are happy to accept toys, cots, prams and children’s furniture.  Soft toys should have the CE safety label on them.