Guide to Donating Clothes: How to Give Old Outfits New Life

Are there clothes in your closet that are too old or worn to donate? Maybe you don’t know where to donate clothes. We have good news for you. Clothing can be repurposed in a number of creative and practical ways. Here are a few ideas for using old clothes in a stylish way.

In her research, Sophie Woodward of the University of Manchester found that on average, 12% of women’s wardrobes are inactive. All those clothes are taking up valuable closet space.

Perhaps it’s time to give your wardrobe a new lease of life or donate items you haven’t worn in the past year. You will not only be helping out a good cause, but you will also free up some closet space.

Keep, Donate, and Repurpose Your Clothes

It can be challenging to maintain your wardrobe essentials, but having a clean closet is worth it. Additionally, it prevents you from accumulating additional clutter. Organize your clothes by sorting them into three piles: keep, donate, and repurpose.

Include any items in good condition that you will not wear anymore in the donate pile. Clothes that can be worn but need a little TLC should go in the repurpose pile. The keep pile should be filled with clothes that you wear regularly and still look great.

Keep

There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding what to keep. If you haven’t worn it in a year, it’s unlikely you’ll wear it again. Unless it’s a sentimental piece, or a jacket you only wear in the winter, or something you wear for special occasions. Donate anything that does not fit or is out of style.

Donate

Donating clothes is a great way to help people in need and declutter your closet at the same time. It is possible to donate clothes to many different places, but we recommend you check with your local charity or homeless shelter first. If they do not accept donations, ask for recommendations.

Some popular donation spots include:

• Local thrift stores or consignment shops.
• Shelters for abused women or homeless people.
• Religious organizations.
• Schools or daycares in need.

Repurpose

You can repurpose old clothes in many different ways. T-shirts can be turned into dresses, skirts, or tops. Old sweaters can also be used to make hats, scarves, and mittens. Leggings can easily be turned into shorts or a crop top. The possibilities are endless when it comes to recycling clothing.

Too Worn To Out Wear Clothes

Damaged or worn clothes can still be repurposed. Cut them up and use them as rags, or turn them into a quilt or patchwork blanket. Old jeans can be turned into a bag, apron, or even a stuffed animal.

A great way to keep clothes out of the landfill is to upcycle them into something new. In addition to helping the environment, you will have some unique pieces to show for your efforts.

Even if it’s beyond repair, all is not lost. Donate it to a textile and fabric recycling center. The fabric will be recycled into fiberfill for cushions or insulation.

Avoid donating clothes that are stained with food, oil, paint, or anything else that might not come out after washing. These items can ruin other clothes at donation centers.

How to give too worn-out clothes a second life:

• Rugs or mats can be made, or clothes can be sewn or glued together. This is a great way to recycle old clothes and keep them out of the trash.
• If your clothes are stained or torn but still in wearable condition, donate them to your local animal shelter. The shelter will appreciate the donation and can make good use of them.
• Clean your house with them. Even stained clothes can be used to clean your home, such as dusting or washing windows.

Think creatively! There are many ways to repurpose old clothes, so use your imagination and have some fun.

Give Your Old Clothes A Second Life

Do you know if an item of clothing is worth donating or if it should be transformed into something new? Consider these questions:

• Is it okay if I let this go? 
• Would someone else appreciate it?
• Is it still in reasonable condition? 

Donate, swap or cash it in if all of the answers to these questions are yes. It is possible to reuse old clothes in a variety of ways if they are in acceptable condition.

Donating To Charity:

The first thing that springs to mind when you want to get rid of old clothes is to donate them to charity; a quick search for “donate clothes” will provide you with a plethora of options. Depending on where you donate, you can schedule a pick-up or drop-off.

Since donating clothes is a popular option, many places have policies about what they will and won’t accept. Before you donate, check the website or give them a call so you don’t waste your time (or theirs).

Hand Down Clothes Or Pass Them On 

Hand-me-downs are a great way to share clothes that are still in good condition. Ask your friends or family with children if they’d like to take your old clothes.

Before you hand them over:

• Checked for stains or holes.
• Wash them or have them dry cleaned.
• Fold them neatly and store them in plastic bags, boxes, or bins to prevent dust and insects from getting in.

Lastly, it’s important to be honest about the condition of the clothes. You shouldn’t give them as gifts if they are stained, torn, or have defects.

Rent Your Closet

Are you aware that you can rent designer clothes and accessories? Rental stores like Rent the Runway, or Poshmark allow you to rent high-end items for a fraction of their original price. You can wear them (for an occasion) without paying the full retail price.

Additionally, you can rent your own clothes for some extra money. A number of sites, such as StyleLend and Tulerie, allow you to list your clothes, shoes, and accessories. You will get paid if someone rents them.

They connect fashion lovers’ closets in the name of sustainability and sharing. To become a member, you must interview. Once you’ve been accepted, you’ll be able to create a profile and add items that are in good condition.

Exchange Your Old Clothes

Is there a close friend or family member who has a completely different style from yours? Why not swap clothes with them and get some new items? Using this method, you can also update your wardrobe without spending any money.

Swapping old clothes for new ones is a lot of fun, but there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• Only swap clothes that are in good condition.
• Make sure everyone is bringing an equal number of items.
• Be prepared to get rid of clothes that don’t fit or aren’t your style.
• Have fun!

Swapping clothes is a great way for people with similar styles and sizes to save money instead of buying new ones. It’s also a lot of fun. Through meet up and Facebook groups, you can find clothing swaps in your area, or you can organize one yourself if none are scheduled near you. 

For the swapping to begin, you need at least five participants, so gather your closest friends and throw an epic clothing swap party. Everybody brings old clothes out of their closets (ones they don’t wear anymore), hangs them around the house, then goes through them like a kid at a candy store. You’ll come away with new pieces to wear without spending any money.

Master Your Closet: Essential Wardrobe Basics & Organization Tips

Thrifty Stores

Try donating your old clothes to a thrift shop if you’d like to earn some money from them, or if you just want to get rid of them in a way that benefits others. Thrift shops are secondhand stores where people can purchase clothing, furniture, and household items at reduced prices.

Thrift shops are great because they take anything. Donations go toward keeping the store running, so you can donate with confidence. Be aware that not all thrift shops donate to charity; some donate a portion of their sales.

What Are The Benefits Of Donating And Repurposing Old Clothes?

Approximately 85% of all textiles thrown away in the US – roughly 13 million metric tons in 2017 – are either thrown into landfills or burned.

Three main categories of textiles exist natural textiles, such as cotton and wool; synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester; and blends of both.

In a landfill, natural textiles take the longest to decompose because they’re made from organic materials like plants and animals that degrade very slowly. No matter how old or in what condition they are when donated, synthetic fabrics don’t biodegrade naturally. Synthetics can even release toxic chemicals over time, harming soil quality and local wildlife.

Even if your clothes are recycled (which happens about 15% of the time), it takes about 800 gallons of water per pound to produce new fabric, and we don’t have enough of it.

Donating clothes and repurposing them is a great way to keep textile waste out of landfills, conserve resources, and create a circular economy.

The donation of old clothes is one simple way you can make a difference for the environment. You’ll not only be able to free up space in your closet, but you’ll also be helping to reduce the amount of textiles going to landfills every year. It’s a win-win! Donate today and feel good about helping the planet.