http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes The community for people interested in home and office organizing. en-US Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:03:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://unclutterer.com/discuss/search.php http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-10315 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:21:36 +0000 lottielot 10315@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>If you have a compost heap and clothes which you wouldn't want to donate, natural materials like cotton and wool compost easily, I just put a stack of the kids underwear on mine, wouldn't want to inflict that on anyone! It's sort of recycling :) </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-10310 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:06:08 +0000 Timo 10310@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I try to donate as much clothes as possible. And yes, it is very important that the clothes to be donated are in good condition. If the piece of clothing I'm about to donate is not in good shape, I try to find other ways to get rid of it. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-3225 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:20:06 +0000 charmed2482 3225@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I worked for a Goodwill for five years and I can answer some of those questions as well. The goodwill I worked for did sell the scruffy looking clothes by weight to vendors. They just went into huge card board boxes and were bailed later at another building. so If they are stained or have holes that was ok. Nothing stinky though. </p> <p>they also salvaged shoes, as long as they were not boots, high heels or cleats and were not in really gross condition, and as long as they were a pair. so if the shoes are just a little worn they might still be able to take them and salvage them. </p> <p>We salvaged books and stuffed animals too, and some scrap metal. </p> <p>Its a really good idea to call the store and ask to speak to a manager or someone who might know if the person answering the phone doesn't know. We answered questions like that all the time when I worked for Goodwill.</p> <p>I don't know if ALL Goodwill's do this or if it depends on the area, and I have no clue what other thrift stores do. Goodwill usually has a main office, so if no one at the store knows then ask for that number and someone there should be able to answer your questions. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-3223 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:59:21 +0000 opadit 3223@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I'm a long-time volunteer at a charity shop that does most of its business in clothes.</p> <p>(1) Please donate clean clothes. They don't have to be newly dry-cleaned and dropped off in the plastic sleeves! But you're not doing a charity a favor when you drop off smelly, dirty, or filthy clothes. What's most helpful is if, after you take something from the dryer or the clothesline, you decide to put it in your give-away box rather than putting it in your closet.</p> <p>When something filthy is donated, it can quickly and easily contaminate your entire donation, and the donations of several other people -- for instance, if the shop gathers many donations' worth of clothes and bags them up for processing in another area of the store.</p> <p>(2) A thrift store that knows what it's doing will squeeze every last penny from its clothing donations by selling the unsaleable clothes as "weight." But, no, not all thrift stores do it, for whatever reason. Not sure what your local shop does with clothes that are too worn-out to resell? No luck looking at the website? Please call. If the staff doesn't know (they're often short-term volunteers in a high-turnover industry), then ask for the manager. If the manager says they don't sell the worn-out old clothes for weight, then ask the manager if they know of another shop that can take that stuff.</p> <p>(3) In general, if you have a question about what a shop will take, call them up and ask. Or, when you drop stuff off, show them your scruffy stuff and ask if they'll be able to use it, or if they'll just toss it in their dumpster. Believe me, the shop has had donations that are in far, far worse shape than yours (unrepairable shoes, doggie sweaters that smell like doggie poop, pots and pans with food left on them). If you hear that your scruffy stuff will be thrown away, then it's up to you to decide whether you'll let them toss it, or if you'll try another shop, or if you'll put it back in your basement.</p> <p>(4) How one shop works: At the shop where I volunteer, we do an immediate triage when donations arrive. All clothes go into big garbage bags for sorting at the warehouse across the street. Stinky, gross clothes are thrown away before they would ever go into one of these bags and contaminate the rest. Housewares and other non-clothing items are given a visual inspection. If they're gross, they're thrown away. If the shop would not be able to sell them, but someone might find it useful (biggest example here is paperback romance novels), they go into the "free" bins at the front door. The rest is taken to the back, sorted, priced, and then moved to the floor.</p> <p>(5) As for repairing clothes with thrift-store grab-bags, that's a function of how much time you have, how much skill you have, how much you're willing to teach yourself, how much you're willing to put up with repairs (or "hacks," like fixing a button on your overalls with paperclip wire), and how totally tightwad frugal you are. Example: a new zipper is probably more expensive than a 50-cent thrift-store item with a zipper in the color and size you need. Zippers can be tricky to replace. Like any skill, you get better at it the more you do it. But in any event it's a determination that you have to make on your own. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-284 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:19:23 +0000 Gently Organized 284@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Check to see if you have "Dress for Success" in your area. They accept women's work clothes. In the metro DC area, they have a partnership with Crest Cleaners. Crest's community service is that they clean the clothes then Dress for Success helps outfit the women in good, professional looking outfits. It's a great partnership and fabulous service to women returning to the workforce. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-273 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:24:09 +0000 DawnF 273@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I sold my whole set of maternity clothes (in 1 batch) on Craigslist.com. I laid all of the clothes out in groups (shirts/pants/shorts) and took pictures and then carefully listed all of the clothes including their sizes. Almost immediately I received a request and within 2 days they were all sold to one person. Quick and easy - and the lady was super happy to get such a great deal and I had my cash on the spot (no waiting for a consignment shop or dealing with a garage sale). </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-220 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:18:33 +0000 lumpster82 220@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>PJ, Speaking from experience, it's best not to turn to eBay unless you are selling an item in excellent condition, with a brand name, in high demand. eBay charges a listing fee, and then they take a percentage of the selling price on the item. So if your listing only sells for $5.00, it's not worthwhile. For example "Vintage Calvin Klein Leather Jacket" is worth it, but "bunch of t-shirts" probably isn't. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-181 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:47:04 +0000 bluenewts 181@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I also donate to the local homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters. I'm currently in the process of getting rid of a collection of (recent) bridesmaids dresses. The website donatemydress.org is a good resource for finding a local charity. Another idea is to check with your local family services, some take donations of prom dresses for girls in foster care.</p> <p>erasergirl, thanks for the tip on the parking lot donation boxes, i was just discussing them with some coworkers this morning, and we were trying to decide what the deal with them was. and karen, thank you I hadn't thought of nursing homes for clothing donations. Another similar idea is local psychiatric hospitals. My mom was a psych nurse, and they would often have patients come in with little to no clothing. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-173 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:14:47 +0000 Claycat 173@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Karen, I had not thought of nursing homes. I just donated a lot of items to the battered women's shelter thrift shop in another small town. I will think about a nursing home next time, too! </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-170 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:09:45 +0000 karen 170@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>One of the more overlooked needs in your area can be your local nursing home. There is a lot of need for clothing in these facilities that have a majority of patients that are on state or federal assistance. Keep in mind too that there are probably nursing homes in your area that house not only the elderly but the younger disabled population. I would call first to ask but the home that I take items to needs every piece of clothing that they can find that is in good condition. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-150 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:50:24 +0000 MellieTX 150@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I have heard goodwill recycles clothing if they are unable to sell, but couldn't get a clear answer on their website. Anyone know the answer? I try to use our stained clothes as dust or cleaning rags before trashing. </p> <p>I prefer to buy my kids clothes secondhand in large lots and very cheap. We're fortunate in our area to have a local "yard sale" website so I can benefit from the shopaholism of others! I avoid the store (hate to shop) and can get an entire wardrobe in near perfect condition in one shot if I'm lucky. </p> <p>I've also heard about people in need of kids clothes through friends with multipes who belong to mother's of multiples groups. I've given without knowing the person, but with the knowledge that I'm helping someone who actually needs what I have to give. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-104 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:08:02 +0000 rose 104@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I've researched this questions for hours at various times, and have never gotten a reasonable response.</p> <p>I worked at a second-hand store a number of years ago, and the big concern was how much stuff we had to trash -- $$$ for dumpsters cut in to the non-profit's profits. Unbelievable what junk (real trash) people would give away, instead of trashing it themselves. </p> <p>But then I heard that some places don't mind stained clothing, etc. because they can sell that stuff (by the ton) for rags.</p> <p>So when I give stuff away I wonder how good the stuff needs to be? It's interesting to think about --- some things that I've been so happy to find (a carafe from a scruffy coffee machine or a replacement handle for my nearly new pan with a melted handle :-( from a dented/scratched pan at the thrift store -- make me think of "one man's trash, another's treasure," but still wonder about guidelines...</p> <p>One friend used to pride herself on repurposing zippers, buttons, trim etc. from the stained, torn clothes she gets at a bag sale for next to nothing.... so any thoughts on what to ditch and what to pass on? And does 100% cotton, whether stained or torn, still have value as stuffing, etc. so that I can avoid the landfill? </p> <p>Does anyone have real experience on this or is in a business that would shed light on the topic?</p> <p>Clearly I don't give away worn out shoes, broken toys, etc. but have wondered about the clothing in particular... </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-81 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:27:42 +0000 Sky 81@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I've started giving my clothes I don't want to my local homeless shelter. Some of these people have nothing. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-66 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:30:50 +0000 EraserGirl 66@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>I am lucky, I have Salvation Army and other charity thrift shops as well as one just in our senior center. There are also donation boxes around for Planet Aid And St Vincent Depaul BUT there are also clothing 'recycle' boxes around that belong to a FOR PROFIT company that masquerades as non profit. The company rents the space in parking lots for their boxes, which encourages stores to oust the charity box. sneaky buggers. If it is a particularly nice piece of clothing...or a bunch of the same ..women's suits etc... many areas have a Freecycle group you can offer it to. I am much happier when i can give it directly TO someone. I did that with my mother's favorite fake fur coat and her Dress shoes. Some kid doing her job interviews was thrilled with my moms nearly new shoes. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-49 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:19:40 +0000 maverick 49@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>we make regular runs to a couple of homeless shelters in our area.</p> <p>i have thought about selling some of the nicer items in my wardrobe that no longer fit, but honestly don't have the time to do this. the consignment shop is an interesting idea. somehow, i think a tommy bahama shirt or armani pants will go further via the consignment shop route. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-45 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:15:07 +0000 PJ Doland 45@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>eBay has <a href="http://clothing.shop.ebay.com/">a whole section of their site</a> devoted to selling clothing. You can probably get more money for your clothes by selling them directly to the buyer, rather than through a consignment shop, provided you're willing to deal with the extra work involved with boxing and shipping out sales. </p> http://unclutterer.com/discuss/topic/where-to-get-rid-of-old-clothes#post-41 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:08:07 +0000 Steph in Seattle 41@http://unclutterer.com/discuss/ <p>Just discovered a good consignment shop in my area. The cool thing is, they only let you bring in clothes by appt, and they were full a couple weeks out. It sounds like a bad thing, since it's something I can't get off my to do list for a while. Frustrating, yes. But as I keep doing laundry and organizing, I keep finding clothes that I'm willing to part with, so my consignment pile keeps getting bigger, which means less clutter! </p> <p>I know a lot of shelters are in need of stuff right now, too, with the recession lagging on. Make sure what you donate there is in good condition, so people in need have decent things to wear, too! </p>