Are you feeling overwhelmed by the task of cleaning out your closet? It can be difficult to know what to do with all of your old clothes once you’ve decluttered. If you’re not sure where to donate your gently used items, look no further!
In this article, we’ll provide tips and suggestions for finding the perfect home for your old clothes and giving them a new lease on life. Not only will you be able to free up space in your closet, but you’ll also be able to make a positive impact on your community by supporting charitable organizations and reducing waste.
Keep reading to learn more about how to responsibly dispose of your old clothes and make a difference.
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Spring Clean and Declutter Your Closet
Spring is the perfect time to freshen up your wardrobe and give your closet a good cleaning. But what do you do with all of the clothes that no longer spark joy or fit you properly? Instead of letting them collect dust in the back of your closet, consider donating them to a charitable organization.
Not only will you be able to declutter your space, but you’ll also be able to make a positive impact on your community by supporting those in need. In this blog post, we’ll provide tips and suggestions for finding the best places to donate your gently used clothing, so you can feel good about giving your old clothes a new life. Keep reading to learn more about how to spring clean your closet the sustainable way.
Benefits of Declutting Your Closet
First of all, you are not going to wear it, if you cant fit it now and you do not need it!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the clutter in your closet, it might be time to do some decluttering. While it can be intimidating to get rid of clothes that you no longer wear or that no longer fit, the benefits of decluttering your closet are numerous.
Not only will you be able to free up space in your home, but you’ll also be able to reduce stress and improve your mental and physical well-being. Here are just a few of the benefits of decluttering your closet:
- Improved organization: When your closet is cluttered and disorganized, it can be difficult to find what you’re looking for and get dressed in the morning. By decluttering your closet, you’ll be able to see all of your clothes at a glance and easily find what you need.
- Increased mental clarity: Clutter can be overwhelming and can make it difficult to focus. By decluttering your closet, you’ll be able to clear your mind and feel more in control of your surroundings.
- Increased physical space: Having a cluttered closet can make your living space feel cramped and cramped. By getting rid of clothes that you no longer wear, you’ll be able to create more space in your home and make it feel more open and spacious.
- Improved physical well-being: If you’re struggling to find clothes that fit or that you feel comfortable in, decluttering your closet can help. By getting rid of clothes that no longer fit or that you no longer like, you’ll be able to create a wardrobe that makes you feel good about yourself.
- The opportunity to give back: Instead of tossing your gently used clothes in the trash, consider donating them to a charitable organization. You’ll be able to declutter your closet and make a positive impact on your community by supporting those in need.
What to do with your clothes?
- Give them to a friend or family member
- This is an easy and convenient way but you may not be able to get rid of everything.
- Sell them yourself on Mercari or Poshmark (use code: BROKEANDBOUGIEAF)
- This is the least convenient option because you will have to post each item, interact with potential buyers, package, and ship items out timely. Although you could make more money than a consignment store, it can be very labor-intensive. It may also take some time to sell all of your items.
- Sell them to consignment stores like Plato’s Closet
- If you really need the extra money and don’t have the time this is a convenient option.
- Donate them to Goodwill
- This has been the way many of us have done for the year but your items may not make it to someone who needs it. Yet, it does create jobs at the Goodwill.
- Donate them to a shelter, non-profit or group home
- This is very convenient because all you will need to do is drop your items off and they will go directly to people who need the clothes items the most.
Where You Should Donate Your Clothes
Donating your gently used clothing to a shelter can be a more meaningful and impactful way to give back to your community compared to donating to a thrift store like Goodwill. Here are several reasons why you should consider donating your clothes to a shelter:
- Directly helping those in need: Shelters provide temporary housing and support to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. Donating your clothes to a shelter allows you to directly help those who are struggling by providing them with essential items they may not otherwise have access to.
- Supporting a specific cause: Many shelters specialize in serving a specific population, such as women and children, domestic violence survivors, or people experiencing addiction. Donating your clothes to a shelter that serves a cause that is meaningful to you allows you to directly support and make a positive impact on that community.
- Making a larger impact: While thrift stores like Goodwill do raise funds for charitable causes, the majority of the profits from their retail operations go towards supporting the organization’s overhead expenses and executive salaries. By contrast, shelters rely on donations to support their programs and services, so your contribution can have a larger impact when it goes directly to a shelter.
- Reducing waste: The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to environmental pollution, and fast fashion in particular has a significant impact on the planet. Donating your gently used clothing to a shelter reduces the demand for new clothing to be produced, which in turn reduces the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
- Supporting local organizations: Many shelters are small, local organizations that rely on the support of their community to operate. Donating your clothes to a shelter allows you to directly support a local organization and contribute to the well-being of your community.
- Providing a sense of dignity: People experiencing homelessness or living in a shelter may feel a sense of shame or stigma due to their circumstances. Providing them with gently used clothing allows them to feel more dignified and confident as they work towards achieving stability.
- Offering a sense of normalcy: Shelters often provide temporary housing for people who have lost their homes or are experiencing a crisis. Donating your clothes to a shelter can help provide a sense of normalcy and comfort to those who are going through a difficult time.
Donating your gently used clothing to a shelter is a meaningful and impactful way to give back to your community and support those in need. It allows you to directly help those who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, and it supports a specific cause or organization that is meaningful to you. Additionally, donating to a shelter reduces waste, supports local organizations, and offers a sense of dignity and normalcy to those in need.
