Is cleaning out your closet one of your New Year’s resolutions? Are you ready to get rid of things that don’t fit, items you don’t like, and clothing that’s a little too worn to wear? You can pull all of this from your closet and repurpose everything so nothing has to get thrown out. Here are a few ways to get that closet fresh and organized without creating waste.
1. Donate items in good condition
One of the easiest ways to repurpose old clothes is to donate them. As you clean out those dressers and closets, set aside clothing that’s still in good, wearable condition. Check for holes, stains, and tears since that will disqualify clothing from the donation pile. Anything missing buttons or with faulty zippers should also get set aside.
Once you have your pile, make sure everything is clean. Check all pockets to make sure they’re empty as well. Then bag up and drop off.
It’s best to donate clothing within the season it’s needed since many organizations don’t have large warehouses in which to store items. If you’re unsure of what you can donate, and when, it’s always best to call the organization first.
2. Recycle used items that donation centers don’t take
Once you’ve set aside your donation pile, don’t simply throw out everything else you want to get rid of. These items can get purposed in different ways. There are plenty of clothing recyclers out there who will take damaged clothing, worn shoes, and items like bathing suits and undergarments that can’t get donated, and find a use for them.
Look for textile recycling centers in your area to ensure these items are being put to good use once you’re ready to get rid of them.
3. Make a quilt
For old clothing that holds some serious memories, get it out of your drawer and put it on display as a quilt. This is a great way to repurpose old sports jerseys, college t-shirts, and any other set of clothing that you don’t wear but can’t part with just yet.
Just about anything can get turned into a useful quilt, including t-shirts, ties, and jeans. You can even take your rather large bandana collection (if you have one) and make that into a soft blanket.
4. Pass clothing on
When it’s your kid’s closet that needs a clean-out, the best way to repurpose is to pass it on. Most parents know families who have kids younger than their own. Offer to pass down your gently worn clothing to them. You can also find a local kid’s consignment fair or post online in your local neighborhood group that you’ve got items to give away. It’s a great way to extend the life of an entire wardrobe of clothes your kiddo has already grown out of (which probably happened way too fast.)
You can also put this type of clothing into storage until you can hand it down to any younger members of your own family. Just make sure to label each box with the sizes so you know when to grab what for the next sibling, cousin, niece or nephew.
5. Get creative
If you’ve got a little talent with a needle and thread, or have a sewing machine that can do the work for you, consider getting a little creative with the clothing you no longer wear.
- Transform a t-shirt into a reusable bag
- Turn a sock into a heating pad
- Create a braided shirt rug
- Make t-shirt bracelets
- Frame your graphic tees as art
- Alter two ties to become a wine bottle caddy
- Convert a sweater into fingerless gloves
If you have the time and skill, there are plenty of options to repurpose your own clothing for yourself. You may even want to try a few of these ideas before starting to build your donation pile.
The impact of repurposing clothing
Any action that involves taking something you’ve already used and giving it a new purpose reduces your carbon footprint. Reusing or recycling clothing means fewer people have to drive to the store to buy all-new products, manufactured in factories, both of which can add harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
Repurposing your old clothing is just one way to make a positive impact on the environment, and small steps are what lead to big change. Just ask the partners at IMPACT COLLECTIVE. By reducing their carbon, water, or plastic impact, they’re also using small changes in their own operations to affect bigger changes.
Every little bit makes a difference.