Op-shop managers in the region said that while they were grateful for donations, they were unable to sell damaged or ripped goods.

Croydon Brotherhood of St Laurence store manager Helen Moppert said sorting through donated goods took time and the work of volunteers had been stretched with a high volume of unsuitable donations.

"I doubled my dumpster output," she said. Last week 30 bags of clothes that could not be sold were sent to Diabetes Australia to help their fund-raising. We have an expression, 'if you won't wear it or use it, we can't sell it'."

Unsuitable items include ripped clothes, badly scuffed shoes, damaged furniture and computer equipment.

Society of St Vincent de Paul Lilydale day co-ordinator Len Creasey said more donations came in after Christmas because people were on holiday and had time to clean up the house.

"By and large most things are saleable but when they are broken or in need of repair, they are of no use," he said.

Nevertheless, both store managers said there had also been many good-quality donations in the past month and more were always welcome.

Furniture is highly sought after at the Lilydale St Vincent's, along with bric-a-brac, crockery and glass plates.

"They are more popular than you would believe," Mr Creasey said.

Ms Moppert said the Brotherhood also got many generous and quality donations. "It is just delightful when we open a box and find a lovely piece of china or crystal."

A Royal Winton sugar bowl is one of the more prized items on sale at half its value.

"We get enough stuff donated to furnish a whole house, except the bathroom...it's like a mini Kmart."