Well, my cupboards are bursting with old clothes that I haven't worn for years, drawers are filled with a mixture of clothes that don't fit me and ones that I wear quite often, so that I have to rifle through them each time to try to find the ones that I want to wear. There isn't enough space for all of my current things because of this curious mixture.
I know I'm very lucky to have all these clothes, but it's a bit pointless if I'm not actually wearing lots of them, as they're either too old and falling apart, too small (from my pre-child days), too uncomfortable or just too horrible.
I don't buy new clothes very often as I don't work, but even if I did, the lack of space would put me off. I desperately need more room, but never get round to sorting them out properly. It's something I put off as it's such a big job and something else always seems to be above it on my list. So, I need to give myself a big kick up the backside to get going with this.
..And when I do, what should I do with them? As far as I can see the options are charity shops, recycling (not sure exactly what happens to clothes when they're recycled??confused), or keeping a lot of them in the attic just in case they come back in fashion/they magically fit me again some day/my daughter wants to use them for dressing up/someone wants to put them in a museum!! I don't really want to sell them as I couldn't bring myself to actually charge anyone for them - not sure anybody would be willing to pay for most of these things; I might need to pay people to wear them lol.
Are you in a similar position with clothes or do you manage your clothes better then me? What do you do with old clothes? Do you have some kind of system where you don't buy any more clothes unless you get rid of some old ones?
[question posted by liquorice]
responses and comments:
Well for the ones that don't fit me, I usually just give them away to the Salvation Army. If it is something that is not worth keeping, then I will just throw them in the trash. Yes, with me, I will try to get rid of all of my old clothes, before I decide to buy anymore. It is almost like, not buying anymore food for your refigerator until you have gotten rid of what you already have. [cream97]
Thanks for your answer. Yes, it's nice to give them to charity, at least you know they won't go to waste. Well, you sound like an organised person, and it's a good comparison to make with the food in the fridge. I never thought of it like that :0) [liquorice]
I give them to charity, many businesses have clothing drop bins in their parking lots. You can write it off on your taxes, too. Everyone wins! [beeeckie]
Thanks for answering. We don't have businesses with clothing drops in parking lots here. We have recycling bins for clothes though, which sounds good in theory, but I'm not sure how exactly clothes are recycled!?? How does it work with writing them off for taxes? How would the government know how many clothes you've donated to work it out? Not sure if we do that here. I'm just curious as I've never heard this before! [liquorice]
We have a big yard sale every spring for our old clothes. With the money we make we buy a feww new things for the up coming season. my toddler grows fast and is always in need of new clothes when the other ones are still like new. [honeydew82174]
Another thought is that I'm also not sure that people would want to buy my old clothes, I don't buy expensive clothes and most of them are probably not that good quality... Sorry for all my negativity here!! lol I really appreciate your reply, and will consider selling some of them if they're any good, maybe on ebay or somewhere like that. [liquorice]
I see you have a problem like so many people these days. you should wear your clothes to destruction if they fit you. I wear mine in stages, first, they are new and worn as best, Then they are worn a casual, they then get worn around the house, and then they can be worn for work, when they are coming to the end they are worn to do Gardening or Painting etc. If you don't want to do this then try giving to relations or put to another good use like giving them to charity. [CEVCEV]
That's good that you really make good use of your clothes. When I finally get round to sorting them I may well find that I want to keep some of them either as I've forgotten about them (which I know is a bad thing), or else I might find that I can use them for something after all. I will try to make use of them. [liquorice]
I'd take the ones that are in good shape to a consignment store and see if they'll give you anything for them. Never hurts to see if you can earn a little cash! If the consignment shops won't give you anything for them, donate the ones in good shape to a Goodwill or Salvation Army. The stuff that you've got that isn't in good shape can be used for arts and crafts, rags, patches, or given away to someone who can use them on Freecycle. If you can't get rid of them, then chucking them is always an option. I love cleaning out closets! [fluffnflowers]
Thanks for your answer. I'm not sure that we have consignment stores here, I've neer heard of one. We have lots of charity shops though, and I've given clothes to them in the past and probably will again, at least some of them. Freecyle's a good idea. I am a member of my local group and might do this if there is anything that I think people might want. I love the idea of using them for arts and crafts. Oh, if you love cleaning out closets I wish you could come and help me with mine!! rolleyes [liquorice]
Try doing what I did have a HUGE garage sale and then you'll have lots more money to spen and to by more clothes! [Alexmcc]
Thanks for your answer. We don't have garage sales here, and so I'm not sure it would work. I love the idea though and it's nice to know that people do this where you are. It sounds like a good method of replenishing your clothing supply! [liquorice]
You can give it to charity. If you are interested in frugal living you can turn them ( cotton ones) into rags and use them for cleaning purposes. You can limit your shopping for clothes so that your cuboards remain healthy and don't burst out! [daffodil1949]
Thanks for all your suggestions. I will try to take all of that advice! I hardly ever go clothes shopping these days as my daughter gets bored in shops, and we're watching our money a lot more. So that one should be easy to follow happy [liquorice]
well... i donate it to welfare department.. if not, i will burn it.. nobody want to wear it.. so burn it down.. haha.. [budin19]
Thanks for your answer. I don't think I'll go burning my clothes though, I'll try and make some use out of them if nobody wants them. happy [liquorice]
I always give away old clothings to local charity foundation. Then they in turn give to the needy .This clear a lot of space of our cupboard. [curious888]
That sounds like a good thing to do. Thanks for your answer. [liquorice]
Sometimes, I will send the old clothes to my little sisiter or other people! My mother always use the old clothes to make some other use ! [lanyoublue2008]
That's nice. I'm glad that other people get to use them. Thanks for answering :) [liquorice]
If I have things that I think someone I know would like I just pass them on. If they are good but I don't know anyone who'd love them, I donate them to the salvation army. If they are stained or ripped or totally out-dated I turn them into rags or dump food. [sid556]
It sounds like you have a good method for disposing of old clothes. I'm going to put at least some of them in charity shops too. Thanks for your reply. [liquorice]
hi,sometime when i am free i could wear them. [yy2008]
Thanks for your interest! It's a bit far for me to bring them to you :0) [liquorice]
I am not willig to rid of old clothes, because,so many people in our country living without proper clothes. so, I would like to give those old clothes ( wearable condition )to charities , those , who are helping to old and poor people. [sairaga1]
Thanks for your reply. That's nice that you give them to charities. I wouldn't want to throw mine away as it's not good to waste things and always good to pass them on if people can use them. I'm just not very organised so far and they're doing no good at all lying in my cupboards! I think maybe this discussion will encourage me to sort them out happy [liquorice]
Lots of old clothes will be left nearlly every season in my family.Some underwears were discarded directly,other chothes can be used to wiping the floor.But there ara too many clothes are eliminated and not everyone can be used as the cleaning tool,so most of them have to be discarded in the trash bin.I think we should take measures to make a better use of them. [YOULANLIU]
That's a shame to throw them away. I agree, it's best to give them to someone who can use them or use them for something else. Thanks for replying :) [liquorice]
I'm not really that into clothes. I just buy what I need and I don't buy clothes just because they are the craze. I dress plain with just jeans and t-shirt, not a fun of skirt or other kind just jeans and cotton pants. If I'm in your situation I think the best would be giving it to charity or to your neighborhood if they like. [lossforredwords]
Me too, I don't buy clothes very often (especially since I had my daughter) and I don't really care about fashion. I've just found that things have mounted up over the years. I think that I will give at least some of the clothes to charity, I'm not going to throw anything away. Thanks for your answer. [liquorice]
It is always better to give old clothes to the poor and needy persons.This is what we do in our country.God Almighty always showers His divine blessings on those people who think for others........Please get rid of your old clothes in this manner.I assure you will never waste them. [awapak]
Thanks for your reply.I agree only those clothes should be given to the poor people which are in wearable condition.You will do a good job if you get rid of your extra clothes in this manner. [awapak]
Usually I prefer just bin those hand-me-downs that rotting in my draws (sniggering). However, I've started giving them to charity shops for sale in that this may help those people in a great need! Saw a few documentries on television and it looks awful. Poeple are suffering a great atrocity and pain from cival war and famine etc. At time, this sorta thing makes you wondering 'what can I do'! Thereby start now and help the poors. [protectorate]
Haha I was merely exaggerating on the rotting clothes. I am a tidy person and never kept clothes longer than 2 years or even less (giving them away in bad condition without a shadow of doubt). Good to hear you are concerned about those people in need my friend. God blesses you. [protectorate]
Hi There, I recently had to get rid of my whole wardrobe. I lost about 100 pounds over the last year and I was basically swimming in all my clothes. I took all my old clothes to goodwill as I figured somebody could use them. If not then they basically get rid of them. In terms of getting new clothes...that cost me a small fortune! cheers, [golfproo]
Oh well done for losing all that weight! You must feel a lot healthier. Yes, if clothes are in good condition it's always good if someone else can use them. Thanks for replying. [liquorice]
Some I take to a charity shop. The well worn ones I throw away and occasionally I give away clothes. [tbain11]
Thanks for your replying. That sounds a very sensible method. [liquorice]
Well it is good question as all of us have this problem but we keep these clothes still. I usually give my old clothes which dont fit to me to the Son of my maid who is only 5 years younger to me by this my clothes are used for some good purpose. I also Donate rest of them to someone who is needyor beggers because they understand the value of those stuff. I also love to make good use of my clothese by making household stuff from them like Pillow cover and that sort of thing. [vaibhav123]
That's nice that you give them to people who need them, and I love the fact that you do creative things with the rest of them. I'd like to try something like that. Thanks for replying. [liquorice]
Hie Liquorice, I use to pass them to my mother and she will bundle them up and give them to the poor native families in my hometown. Before she does that she will check and make sure that the old clothes are still usable and not torn or too soiled to be used. She always tells me that it's not a right thing to do to pass rags to other people just for the sake of clearing them out and getting new clothes for ourselves. And if she come upon old clothes that are too soiled, she will cut them up to suitable sizes and use them as rags for wiping things,cleaning, or keep them for future cloth patches. Some she& my dad will wear them esp.when she does her gardening or cleaning the house. Mostly do not fit her at all...lol. but she doesn't as said it's just in the house and no one will notice anyway. Cheers, [Desierra1004]
Hie Liquorice, thank you for the BR. Wish you a good weekendhappy Cheers, [Desierra1004]
I live in a plantation where there are lots of labourers who are in need of clothes.I usually give away my old clothes when I buy new stuff.I give it all to them,the children's clothes,my hubyy's and mine.They are thrilled to get these good clothes and they like flaunting it.That makes me feel good. [biggerb]
Hi liquorice! Some of my old clothes that I just used once or twice, I give them to my cousins. My cousins have always liked my clothes. So I give some to them, but those clothes that are worn out already like I've been using them for years, I donate it to charity. Space is a must for me. That's my number one problem in my room. I have a lot of stuffs that I don't use but don't throw either and I keep buying new ones, so they are all stocked up. That's why as much as possible, I get rid of my old ones before buying new ones (which is rarely the occasion).lol [marababe]
Like you my drawers are stuffed with things that I never wear,but I have to keep them as if I dont my drawers will look empty,I have things that dont fit and things that I havent worn for years but they say if you havent worn a thing for six months then you should get rid of it,but im not into that way of thinking one little bit.Some of the stuff is too good to get rid of ,but I may think about sending it to a charity shop or givin g some away pretty soon. [Abby123]
I give away my old clothes to the poor around me. Some old clothes are Recycled as rags. [maryrajam1962]
I don't have any issue with old clothes. My wife give them to my and her relatives. We have a lot of relatives that work in the farm and they appreciate the clothes we are giving them. We usually give those that are still wearable and not the tattered type. Other clothes we donate to charity for those affected calamities, like fire, flood, earthquake, etc. Clothes will come in handy for those who need them. So don't just let them rot in your closet, everybody can have a good used of old clothes. For the tatter ones, we convert rag for cleaning and other used. I think there are others uses, try looking for ways to recycle them old clothes. [robert19ph]
In my opinion giving them away to friends or charity is the best thing to do, If there completely torn or ripped it's for the best to throw them away. That's basically where all my old clothes end up. -Sound [Defaultsound]
In fact ,There are many people who can't pay the load to result in clothes.A murderer put on the prisoner's clothes to say by now i passed through best clothes.This matter is really ,occurs in my country.So you can give the clothes contribution the Project Hope [fayyaya]
I am a person who likes to hold onto things.I keep all of my clothing and I even have the clothes I wore when I was eight.I cannot give them up as they have many memories with me.Giving them up would be the hardest thing I would ever do in my life. [gagglefinish]
liquorice I am just the same, I have a closet full of things that are too small, or outdated style wise, or just plain yucky looking. I always promise myself I will weed them out but other things get in the way, or else I am just being lazy and procrastinating about these old clothes. throw them out, or give to Good Will or the Salavation Army? I have no attic nor any youngsters who could play dress up with them. I should have a system like one garment in, one garment out but alas I dont have that at all. help;. help. [Hatley]
Have a good clear through them. I normally try a few bits on that I haven't worn for ages, see what I feel. Is anyhting really good quality, would you regret it if you gave them away? Always keep the good things, I've made so many stupid "oh I'll never wear that again" com,ments and regreted it! I've picked up some gems in charity shops, I've bought nice labels. I find that Ebay is a great way to recoup so of the overspends. I like to see if friends or anyones kids can make use of some of the stuff. Kids love scarfs etc for dressing up. I've also made a few denim and mixed fabric cushion covers from old jeans and heavier materials. My mum suggested maybe denim clutch bags and maybe boot sale them? I find that donating clothes to agencies that send them to the needy is often a better way to give a gift. Charities have lots over heads and often not enough of the money they generate gets to those that need it. Old T-shirts are great for dusters and rags for painting, at least you can give them a wash a reuse them time and again if neeed be, therefore saving you on dusters! [dragonstar1]
Excellent glad to be of help. Hope you enjoy trying out some of the idea. I've never been that good a sewing but have been amazed at how well some of the items have come out. [dragonstar1]
I would say that I manage my clothes a lot better as I am constantly buying new clothes, so I need room in my wardrobe and draws, so I constantly get rid of old clothes that do not fit right, are damaged or I just don't wear (I sometimes buy something and then go off it a month later and never wear it again). I usually pass most my old clothes down to my younger sister as she is not as bothered as I am about wearing slightly damaged clothes etc. The rest of them I try and sell on the internet, but if this is not successful then I donate them to charity. No I do not have system of buy a new thing and get rid of an old thing, because then I would end up getting rid of clothes that I do like just because I saw something else I liked in the shop. Old clothes can come in useful for when you are cleaning the house, painting and doing other messy jobs. [Elixiress]
My sister is 5/6 years younger than me, so many of my clothes cannot be passed down to her, such as trousers, because I am about 1 foot taller than her, but things like tops can be passed down. [Elixiress]
Well I Useally Try To Get Rid of Them To Be Honest I Try To Sell The if That Doesnt Work The I Guess Proable Give Away Ha [mundov]
Thanks for your answers, Liquorice. [liquorice]
I have tried a little bit of everything with our old clothing. We started redoing our house and decided to clean out our over-loaded closets. We packed box after box with perfectly good clothes, some that looked new because we take care of our clothes. We even put in suits, nice coats and jackets. My husband put them in the car and took them off to the Thrift Store. I know they go through them and get what they want before putting them on the floor for sale, but we didn't care. We just needed to get our closets to the place where we could see what we wear. Well, that has been a few years ago. Now our closets are all in the same shape again. We have accumulated lots of shirts/blouses,slacks, etc., and there is no place for new clothes. We got rid of all the clothes before because they no longer fit us. I've come to the conclusion you should never keep clothes in hopes you will some day be able to get back in them. Clothes grow out of fashion quicker than you can get back in shape. I'll never be the size I was 15 or 20 years ago, so why try keeping all those nice clothes? I do have a couple dress/jacket ensembles that I love that I could wear if I lost a few pounds. So I will not get rid of those, but some of my old blouses are ready for the dump! I don't like yard sales at all, so I won't be putting anything out for sale. I had rather just give it away. [Barb42]
Well it sounds like you were very organised the first time around! Yes, it's easy to get back into that position again. I've given clothes to charity shops in the past, but the over-crowding problem came back again... I agree about getting rid of things which are too small etc.. Thanks for your answer happy and good luck with getting your closets back again!! [liquorice]
Wow,you reall need to get rid of those old clothes.I don't have such problems,I always think that I just don't have enough clothes to wear,as I don't buy clothes very often. If the clothes don't fit me ,or look ugly on me,I just throw them away or give them to the person who gather garbages.It doesn't make much of a difference,if I trow them away,the baggage man will pick them up anyway. I don't have much room for old stuff,and I think they would bother me if I keep them.As I 'm not a organised person,I always forget things,so getting rid of old clothes makes me feel comfortable. [gxnfly]
Yes, I know I'm lucky to have lots of clothes in my cupboards. I need to be more disciplined to get rid of the things I don't wear though. It sounds as if you're more disciplined that me. I don't want to just throw them away, it'd be good if someone could use them so I think I'll probably give some of them to charity shops. You say you're not organised, but to me it sounds like you are! Thanks for your reply. [liquorice]
wow... that seems like a lot of clothes!!! i think that you should keep those which are really meaningful to you.. and maybe make them as a quilt or something... good pasttime and you get to use them again!!! and just send the rest to the salvation army.... or the charities that give old things to people in other countries who need them more... and let your daughter choose those that she really loves and give them to her for dressing up... hope these suggestions have been helpful to you!!! happyhappyhappy [raclie]
I try to get creative with our old clothes. My younger son is not the same build as his big brother was at this size.So, child 2 can't fit into the 5slims that I saved from child 1. I cut them off at the crotch area, sew across the bottom, add a handle, and there you go: a most stylish purse. All it takes is a little bit of know how and some time. I have also made a smaller version for carrying my cell phone around. Everyone always makes such positive comments about them, it might be worth your effort to try something like that:) [craftymom]
I'm liking all these crafty suggestions! Such good ideas. I'd like to be inventive like this happy Thanks for your suggestion. Your username is very appropriate! [liquorice]
Most of my clothes are kind of crappy although i do have alot of them. I could get rid of most of them with no sweat. I think the best thing is a thrift store or give to charity. I find that I wear the same few clothes over and over again. [snowy22315]
Yep, I'd have to say that most of my old clothes aren't the greatest of quality either. I'll probably give at least some of them to charity. I have certain clothes that I wear a lot too. The rest stay in the cupboard! Thanks for your answer. [liquorice]
Any of my clothes that have holes in them or damaged in some other way I will usualy just pitch. Anything else that is simply old or I have updated with something new I donate to this charity that runs through my church. It started out sending things to the katrina victims and im not quite sure where it all goes now but hopefully someone is able to put them to good use. [bowtieguy]
Thanks for your answer bowtieguy. It's nice that the charity sent the clothes directly to the hurricane victims. Hopefully they're now going direct to other people who can use them. [liquorice]
because i use to be a fat girl,so i always keep my old clothes in the cupboards. Hoping that in a few years i will lose my weight and i can bring my all old and big clothes to a tailor to make it smaller. And what i was hoping finally comes true.. After a tight diet i lose my weight almost 20kg.. And now,i dont have to spend alot of money to buy a new one, i just use my old one after it's beenre-size. Not bad at all. And some of my clothes i gave to my nephew which has a big,fat body. [d_nitri]
They say if you haven't worn it for six months you need to get rid of it. I have my things picked up by the communities second hand. Consignment stores are great for the things that are still nice and that cost more. my favorites I still have around. Or,my daughter has a annual yard sale and put some things in it. [celticeagle]
For me some of the clothes if I still can fit in, I will keep until it worn out. Some of my clothes and shoes age older than my 3 sons. I still can keep my weight even after married which most couple fail. The only thing I still fail to do routinely is exercise..but I control my intake. [azrinbme]
If the clothes are in decent shape (no stains, no stretched out or faded, ripped) i will sometimes put them on ebay and make a few bucks back on them, and if they dont sell they are given to goodwill or amvets or other charity organizations. [faln_angel1205]
Liquorice, For me, all the clothes that don't fit me anymore, I see if anyone in my family may want them. If they say no, then I put them out in a yard sale (one man's trash...). I also have 5 kids (4 of which are girls). I have the oldest go through and figure out what doesn't fit or she won't wear any more and pass them to the next in line to go through and with her clothes added see if they fit or if they will even wear them. It goes all the way down until the youngest can decide on the hand me downs, if she'll wear them or if they fit or if we should just get rid of them. And with the boy we just see if he can wear them or will any more. Once all of that is taken care of then I will see if my sisters need clothes for their kids and if they say no then I put them out in the yard sale with my clothes (as I said before, one man's trash...). Whatever doesn't sell in the yard sale, I bring to a donations place to drop them off. If you get a reciept it is a tax deduction, too!!! I hope this helps out a little bit. Thanks for the post :D [mygirls9901]
i usually sell my old clothes in ebay! i love selling my old stuffs in ebay and im happy to say that i already made money out of it! [kayeshayne21]