It’s that time again. The time of the year when you realize (or at least I do) that your closet just isn’t big enough for all your clothes anymore. You have to make room for them, so what can you do?
If we’ve got old clothes sitting in the wardrobe, we probably don’t wear them anymore because they’re not in style or failed to fit us correctly, but should we really throw them away? Not necessarily. There are a lot of ways in which you can use your old clothes. If they’re in good condition, it’s perfectly fine to donate them to charity organizations that collect clothing donations. However, if they have stains or tears and would be a danger if worn by a child on an outing, then disposing of them could be a good idea as well. But there are ways to recondition even the most broken-down pieces of clothing!
Here are our top four ideas for using old clothes as inspiration:
Donate Your Clothes.
If you have clothes that are still wearable, but not in style or don’t fit anymore, then donating them to charity organizations is a great idea. This can be a good way to give back to those who need the clothing more than you do, and it also helps keep your closet from getting cluttered.
Donating your old clothes to a charity is an easy way to help out the community, and it’s also a good way to get rid of unwanted garments while doing something good. If you’re looking for a place to donate clothes, try giving directly at one of these organizations:
- Salvation Army
- PickUp Please Los Angeles: this allows you to schedule a clothing donation pickup for your convenience.
- Goodwill Industries International: www.goodwilliowa.org/programs-services/clothing-donation-programs/call 1-800-832-4357 (toll free)
Consider Selling.
If you want to get a little cash back for your clothes and don’t mind making a little extra effort, consider selling them online. There are lots of online clothes sale platforms out there that will give you money for your things.
You might be surprised at how much money you can get for them, especially if they are in good condition. You can sell your old clothes on eBay or Craigslist, but there are other options too.
Try checking out these websites:
- Threadflip (www.threadflip.com)
- Zwaggle (www.zwaggle.com)
- Poshmark (www.poshmark.com)
Get Creative and Make Something New.
Old clothes can be turned into new things. If you have the time and energy, you can make something special out of your old clothes. You can make a quilt, table runner, or pillow cover. You can also make a skirt and a dress. Or if you’re feeling really ambitious, try making an entire outfit using your old clothes!
You could even use scraps from the bottom of an old t-shirt for an adorable purse. If you’re looking for something new to do with old clothes, here’s some inspiration:
- Make a book cover: It can be the cover of an actual book or it can be the cover of a piece of art you made yourself. Either way, it will be unique and fun! You could even use this project as an opportunity to learn how to bind books or even create one yourself.
- Make a pillowslip: Pillow Slips are easy to make and they give you the opportunity to express your creativity in something that will always be around (whether it’s hanging on the wall or sitting on your couch). You can find instructions online or try making one yourself!
- Make jewelry: Old clothes are perfect for making jewelry! All you need is some glue or a hot glue gun and some old buttons or beads. You could also use fabric scraps for this project if you don’t have any buttons lying around.
Host a Clothing Swap.
If you have a space to hold the clothing swap, then this is the best way to do it. Clothing swaps are a great way to get rid of old clothes that you no longer wear or have outgrown. You can also use clothing swaps as an opportunity to meet new people, find new clothes for yourself or your family and earn some money for yourself. It’s a win-win situation!
The idea of a clothing swap is simple: bring in your old clothes and give them away to someone who wants them more than you do! In return, you’ll get some cash or store credit. The only thing you need is an open space where everyone can come together and trade their unwanted items with one another. Invite friends and family over, or just get together with your closest friends in one place. It’s also fun if there are games or music playing at the same time. Food and drinks are optional but not required since most people will bring their own snacks anyway!
There are lots of ways to make old clothes new again
If you have old clothes that are no longer wearable, there are lots of things you can do with them:
- Look for donations near me: You can donate your unwanted clothing to a local charity organization or school’s resale shop for sale. The proceeds from these sales will help fund the charity and may even provide tax benefits if you donate using something that qualifies as “charity.”Â
- Reuse for cleaning: This is a great way to get rid of old items while benefiting your home at the same time! Just toss in some vinegar or lemon juice (or both), then let it sit while you scrub all over those nasty stains—and voila! Clean clothes! You can also add baking soda after washing if needed by rubbing it over the stain before drying in an airy place with no heat source nearby so as not to damage any fibers beyond repair (this works better than spray products).
- Sell Them: If you want to get a little cash back for your clothes and don’t mind making a little extra effort, consider selling them online.
Conclusion
It’s up to you how you want to handle your old clothes. If you’re not sure where to start, try donating them or selling them online. You can also make something new out of them by hosting a clothing swap with friends or family members!