Giving back where we work
Tulip Group in the community
Every week, thousands of partly used and even unused toiletries, cleaning products and other useful items go to waste, while thousands of Londoners do not have a home.
Witnessing this waste alongside increasing homelessness on London’s streets, we asked our clients whether they would consider donating their partly used or unused toiletries and other items for us to distribute to charities supporting the homeless. The feedback was overwhelming: 98% of respondents said they would be delighted to donate.
Moving home is hard work, and just when you think everything is done you find forgotten items, most commonly toiletries, cleaning products, non-perishable food and small electrical items. Rather than throw them away, you can put them to good use.
What can I donate?
Kitchen: partly used cleaning products
- Washing-up liquid
- Hand wash
- Sanitiser
- Oven cleaner
- General kitchen cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Laundry detergent
- Dishwasher tablets
- Fabric softener
Kitchen: unused items
- Cleaning cloths
- Kitchen towel (less than 50% used)
- Cleaning pads
Bathroom: cleaning products & toiletries
- Shower gel
- Shampoo
- Bubble bath
- Bleach
- Bathroom cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Deodorants (at least 50% full)
Bathroom: unused items
- Toothbrushes (ideally in original packaging)
- Toilet roll (completely intact)
- Soap
- Toilet brushes (new and unused only)
- Hand and body lotions
Non-perishable food (6+ months until use-by, no refrigeration)
- Pasta
- Rice
- Sugar
- Tea / coffee
- Any tinned food
- Unopened bottles of wine / alcohol
Other items (12 months old or less, good working order)
- Clean kitchen bins (working lid, max 80cm)
- Towels and bed clothes (stain-free, undamaged)
- Hairdryers, toasters, kettles, irons
- Vacuum cleaners (with box / manual if possible)
- Crockery, cutlery, glassware, saucepans (up to a set of 6)
- Utensils, dustpans and brushes
- Boardgames / puzzles (complete) and books (up to 10)
- Mop buckets, mops and mop heads
- Small healthy indoor house plants (below 30cm)
How it works
- 1Let us know you would like to donate when you arrange a clean.
- 2We post you one of our recycled, reusable tote bags.
- 3Before our arrival, place the products you wish to donate inside the bag.
- 4Leave the bag on the kitchen worktop, to the left of the sink or nearest visible spot.
- 5Our operatives remove the items to our Essex storage facility.
- 6Items are cleaned, disinfected and sanitised, then made into packs.
- 7Packs are distributed to our charity partners, at no cost to you or them.
Q&A
Donation questions
Want to take part?
Mention the donation scheme when you arrange your next clean.