How to Treat Outdated Clothing

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It’s that time of the year when big cleaning is just around the corner and you will finally get your closet in order. However, this time you have to make some hard decisions and changes. Namely, you have to get rid of outdated clothes and make room for some new pieces of wardrobe.

This process is not only good for your fashion sense but also will make you feel better. Dealing with piled up clothes and cluttered closets is like organising your life. It will bring order to chaos and leave enough room for improvement.

But what to do with outdated clothes? Here are some ideas that might help.

Organise a yard sale

Yard sales are a great way to sell your items in a quick and effective way. You can organise the clothes per type or season. Put a reasonable price but also be prepared to bargain. People enjoy bargaining for the price during yard sales.

If it will make easier, use differently coloured price tags so you would know which price you are willing to negotiate. If you can, provide a place where people can try the clothes. And if not, the old-fashioned putting them against their bodies to see if they fit will do the trick.

Sell the clothes online

There are various apps and websites available to sell your stuff online. But consider that this will take more time since you will have to photograph every piece of clothing and publish size, material and other important details. In addition, when you sell the piece, you will have to pack it and send it to the buyer by mail or delivery service.

Donate to charity

If you want to help the community, consider donating your clothes to charity. Of course, it would be polite to wash and fold them before dropping them off. Also, examine every piece for possible damage or holes. You can even choose more than one charities and divide your outdated clothes between them.

Another way to help is to sell your clothes and donate the money. This way you have more potential charities to choose from. Alternatively, you can go to the store and buy something they might need, like a new TV set, mattresses or some furniture. Whatever you choose, it’s a noble and commendable way to get rid of your old clothes.

Store it away

If you can’t make the decision right away, or simply can’t part from certain pieces that easily, consider storing the clothes somewhere else. Cheap storage that Melbourne and other Australian towns offer is more than enough to get those clothes off your hands for a while.

Wash them and iron if needed, place in vacuum packaging or plastic boxes to keep dry and decide later what to do. If your priority is to declutter your closet and home, then you shouldn’t let something like this stop you. Besides, maybe you find some better use for those clothes after they were not in your direct sight.

Give your clothes to siblings and friends

Before you start selling or storing your clothes, consider who from your vicinity might be interested in having them. Invite your friends over and show them what you intend to remove from your closet. Also, if you have a younger sibling, there might be a piece of clothing they always eyed on you and waited until you get bored with it.

You can even make a party out of cleaning your closet. Invite your friends, play some music and start going through your things. Allow them to help you choose what stays and what goes, especially if you have a problem deciding. It will be fun and certainly speed up the process.

Make new out of old clothes

If you like to design clothes or are into fashion, use your outdated clothes for practice. Many trends stick for years or change a little, so there might be some pieces you can use. Redesigning your old clothes will also be a great hobby and you can even turn it into a lucrative one if you master the process.

Buy the necessary tools you may need, but have in mind that some might be expensive like a sewing machine. However, you can buy a used one and start from there. If you’re a novice to the sewing, you won’t need anything more than a working machine, needle, thread and a mannequin.

If you lost or gained weight

When you lose or gain weight the clothes you have won’t fit you anymore, and so it’s time to make a hard decision. This is an emotional process since you have to face the fact that your body changed. While some will be happy because they sculpt their bodies to the desired measurements, others may not take it so positively.

If you're in the latter group, single out clothes that are especially dear to you and use it as a motivation to fit in them again. Don't display them in plain view, but rather fold them and place them on the shelf in your closet. Occasionally, take them out to remind yourself what are you trying to gain with the exercise and eating habits, so you wouldn’t give up. For some, this method works, while for others, it’s better to start with the clean slate.

Finally

Do with your outdated clothes what feels right to you, but don’t simply throw them in the trash. Unless they’re torn or damaged, your clothes can still help others and make them happy. You can make a friend smile or contribute to your community. Whatever the case, you and others can benefit from your outdated clothes, so consider those when decluttering your closet.


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