Shoes full of holes aren't of great use to the Salvation Army op shop.
ARARAT - Having a clean out this holiday period? Make sure that anything you give to local op shops is of good quality and not junk.
While the dumping of rubbish at local ops shops in Ararat isn't a huge problem, local Salvation Army Lieutenant Greg Turnbull said about 20 percent of goods left at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop in Vincent Street has to go to the tip.
"It's not a huge percentage, but with some of the larger Salvation Army shops in the city it is a problem," he said.
"But it does cost us to take it to the tip."
This is money that could be put to better use in the community to help those in need.
When sorting through 'stuff' to take to the op shop, make sure electrical items, including old style box televisions, are not in the back of the ute or the trailer.
"These need to be checked (before sale) by an electrician and we can't afford to do that," Lieut Turnbull said.
Apart from electrical goods, the Salvos will accept anything that is of good quality, such as clothing, shoes and household furniture.
"The old saying is that if it is too good to throw away, give it to the Salvos," Lieut Turnbull said.