For dry cleaners and tailors: a better home for unclaimed garments

Every shop has a back rack of orders nobody came back for. Once they're yours to donate, send us the suits, coats, and gowns. They'll be lent to people heading into job interviews and big nights.

How it works

1. Follow your policy first. Only donate orders past your state's holding period and your posted pickup policy.

2. Send photos of the rack. We reply within 24 hours with what fits.

3. Ship with prepaid labels. Quarterly or twice a year works for most shops.

4. Get an itemized receipt for your records.

A counter sign that helps

Many shops post a line like "Items not picked up within [your policy period] will be donated to charity." It sets expectations with customers and gives you a clear, documented date. Check your state's rules for the right wording and period.

Better than the by-the-pound bin

Unclaimed orders usually end up in a donation bin, baled and sold by the pound with everything else. Your customers' suits and gowns came in to be cared for. Sending the good ones somewhere they'll be worn again finishes the job.

We do it differently. We take the pieces that deserve better, one at a time. Each one is listed by name on your receipt, cared for, and put back to work being worn: lent to someone heading into a job interview, to an honoree on their big night, or rented for a charity event. We try to preserve the integrity of the clothes and of the people who wore them.

Start a partnership

We reply within 24 hours. Prefer to talk? Call (414) 215-0105 or email dan@onlyfuego.com.

What we take, and what we don't

Yes, please

Suits and blazers, wool and cashmere coats, evening gowns and cocktail dresses, formal wear, and designer pieces in clean, wearable condition.

Please take these elsewhere

Everyday shirts and pants, anything damaged, and items still inside your holding period.

Where the clothes go

Professional clothing is lent free to people going into job interviews. Formal wear is lent to community honorees or rented for events, with net profits going to the charities on our Honor Roll.

Questions people ask

When can a dry cleaner donate unclaimed clothes?

Once the holding period in your state has passed and your posted policy allows it. Rules vary by state, so check yours, and keep a record of when each order was dropped off and when you tried to reach the owner.

What do you take?

Only the quality pieces: suits, blazers, coats, evening and cocktail dresses, and designer items. Everyday shirts and pants can keep going wherever they go now.

Do we get a receipt?

Yes. We send your business an itemized 501(c)(3) receipt. How a business can deduct donated goods is different from how an individual can, so ask your accountant.

Is there a cost?

No. We send prepaid shipping labels, and for regular volume in the Milwaukee area we can talk about pickup. We don't buy clothing.

Why give with OnlyFuego

Your clothing does real good, three ways.

💛

Funds local causes

Rented for events through FashionablyGood, with net profits split across the charities on our Honor Roll.

🤝

Dresses job seekers

Lent free to people heading into interviews, so they walk in confident.

🌟

Celebrates honorees

Lent to community award honorees for the night they're recognized.

We're a 501(c)(3), so your gift is tax-deductible and we'll send a receipt, but the real reason to give is the good it does.