We all have a tendency to accumulate clothes, regardless of whether we like it or not. It is easy to buy another pair, but forget that you have a couple of pants in your closet. You can replace the skirt if it no longer fits. Your closet will be overflowing before you know it.
Greenbar Storage is a big advocate for cleaning out your bedroom closet . It’s a good idea! Did you know that decluttering your closet can make a huge difference in your overall health? You can even find studies that support this claim. You may need to downsize or organize your closet in order to improve your mental health. You may also need to donate your clothes.
Are you unsure how to donate your used clothes? We can help you. We have compiled a guide that will help you understand how to donate old clothes. You can follow this guide to learn the best ways to donate clothes.
Why not donate your clothes?
Don’t limit yourself to your closet space. Donating your clothes is not only a great idea, but there are many other reasons.
Help the Environment
It’s not surprising that they call it “fast fashion”. Every week, a new trend takes over. This often means that we are constantly looking for the next big thing and putting aside clothes from last season.
What happens to those garments if they aren’t donated? One study found that 85% of clothing ends up in landfills.
Garments that have still some life in them are not allowed to go into our landfills. Many clothing fabrics and other materials are not recyclable ( 60%), so they won’t be able to break down and remain in landfills for many years. Other clothing textiles can also release harmful chemicals such as methane or carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Don’t throw away clothes that are still in good condition. Give it a second chance and donate to someone in dire need.
Help others
The environment is not the only thing in dire need. Many people can’t afford clothing, including homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, at-risk youth, and refugees.
You have two options when you donate clothing. One, there are organizations that will give it away free of charge and the other one that will turn around and make a profit. You can save your clothes from going to landfills, and you can give them a new lease of life while also helping someone less fortunate than yourself.
What Clothes Should You Give Away?
How do you give clothes away? Before you throw any old item of clothing in a bag for donation, you need to know how to sort and donate clothes.
You can start by organizing your clothing in your closet or storage unit. There are three options: keep, donate and toss. The keep pile will contain clothing you intend to wear, while the donation pile will be for clothes you don’t want or no longer need.
Make sure you try on clothes that you are considering keeping to make sure they fit. Do you really need to keep a pair of jeans that fits four sizes too big? Don’t forget the Marie Kondo method. This is where you ask yourself if the garment brings you joy. Do you cringe when you see the sweater your ex bought you? Perhaps it’s time for us to part ways.
Be mindful of the information we have given about landfills when you are thinking of tossing your clothes. Can you recycle clothing that isn’t in good enough condition to be donated? You can make something from it. You can also use the scraps to clean your kitchen. There are many ways to recycle old clothes.
How to prepare your clothes for donation
Once you have your pile of donations, go through each item individually. Check for stains, odors and tears in the pockets.
You will need to take the items to the dump/recycle pile if you are unable to repair the damage. Most charities and organizations won’t accept clothing that is in poor condition. Be sure to spot treat any stains before you donate.
After you have washed and dried your clothes, fold them neatly and place them in an envelope, box, or other container.
What are the best places to donate your clothes?
You may be asking Where can I donate my clothes ? There are many charities in your area that will accept donations.
Charities
It’s a great way to donate clothes to charity. There are many charities in your area that will gladly accept your donations.
The National Coalition for the Homeless is one example of a group that supports the homeless. Dress for Success, Jails to Jobs and Dress for Success are organizations that provide work attire and business clothing for people who interview for jobs after they have found housing, gotten out of jail or become sober.
Refugee Organizations
Many refugees who flee their homeland often have only the clothes they need. There are many refugee agencies at both the local and national levels that will accept clothing donations for refugees. Families can benefit from your clothes by providing comfort and support as they adjust to their new homes.
Shelters for the Homeless and Shelters for Domestic Violence
Sometimes you can directly go to the source of the problem instead of going through a charity or organization. Direct clothing donations may be accepted by shelters for the homeless or domestic violence shelters. Some shelters and domestic violence shelters may only accept new clothing, or they might have certain items in mind. It’s best to get in touch with them as soon as possible.
Schools
Ask around at the schools in your local area. Some schools will provide clothing for students who are in dire need.
Places of Worship
Even if you are not a member, many places of worship like churches, temples and mosques will accept clothing donations. To make sure they’re open for your donations, call ahead.
Nonprofit Thrift Shops and Consignment Shops
Look for thrift stores that are nonprofit, such as Salvation Army and Goodwill. Keep in mind, however, that consignment shops or thrift stores will make a profit from your clothes. This is unlike other charities that will give it away.
How to vet an organization for donations
There are many places where you can donate your old clothes. However, it is important to make sure you choose a reliable organization.
We recommend that you search for causes that are meaningful to you or organizations that have a mission that resonates with you. This could be a project that is LGBTQIA-focused or one that targets the elderly.
You can also choose one based upon the type of clothing you wish to donate. If you have old baby clothes, you might want to donate them to an organization that supports single mothers or foster children. You might also want to donate any men’s suits you no longer wear to an organization that helps people dress for job interviews.
If you are looking for places to donate women’s clothing, you can search for organizations that specifically work with women such as shelters for women and shelters for domestic violence.
Next, find places where you can put your clothes to good use. Consignment shops can only resell 20% of donated clothing , according to some studies. Where does the other 80% go? You guessed it, landfills.
Do your research about the organizations and nonprofits you are considering. Avoid any organizations that misuse their money, exploit their employees, or engage in any other questionable conduct.
Donating your clothes is a great way for you to help others and also to make decisions about what to keep.
This post was written by a professional at Greenbar Storage. Greenbar Storage has a wide range of storage units available in Prineville, Oregon. They offer a variety, including ground-level access, security cameras, 24/7 accessibility, and parking spaces. Locally owned and operated, we are the best choice for convenient and clean storage solutions in the Prineville, Oregon region. All of our commercial storage clients accept deliveries from businesses. Click here to learn more!
