Got a pile of garments that you wish to dispose of but don’t know how? With the right clothing donation etiquette in mind, you should be able to clear your closet from clothes you don’t wear anymore!
Donation and charity are commendable actions but only if done with the right intentions and in the right manner. When it comes to giving away clothes, your aim should not only be to clear space in your room but to also genuinely help out the needy in the community.
Clothing Donation Etiquette You Must Keep In Mind
The most crucial thing to consider as part of clothing donation etiquette is the condition of the clothes that you are giving away. Anything that has holes in, smells, has persistent stains, and can not be cleaned isn’t fit for charity.
Giving away stuff you “don’t need” does not mean emptying closets by taking out the trash only. You must identify items that don’t serve your purpose anymore and, although they are still usable, have been lying around for months.
Take a Look!
- You can give away silk shirts or glamor clothes from their ’20s because personal style evolves and you may not see yourself wearing these articles anymore. Some people can comfortably style vintage clothes. Moreover, there are pieces of articles of clothing that are timeless to wear. However, if you have anything just collecting dust at the bottom of the closet that you don’t need anymore, it will be a good idea to consider them for donation.
- A good fit is what makes clothes worth wearing so anything that you have physically outgrown would be of no use to you. You can give them away if they are still in usable condition. You may also want to hold on to something that is of sentimental value to you. Make sense! However, do ask yourself how you can repurpose them to extend their use.
- There is a hack that can help you out if you can’t decide if you should or shouldn’t give away a particular piece of clothing. Pack it in a box and put it away for 4 to 5 months. If the item does not cross your mind or you find no occasion to wear or use then it probably would be best to donate.
- You may have to drastically change your wardrobe or the empty major portion of it when moving to another city or starting a new job. This is another occasion in which donating your stuff will be beneficial to you and the needy in the community. For example, if you are moving to a warmer region in the country, you can consider giving away coats, sweaters, cardigans, and wraps.
Identify Clothes That are Ideal for Donation
The pointers above should help you determine clothes that are fit for donation. As a general rule of thumb, give away clothes that you simply don’t wear anymore but are still worth wearing.
You can also target specific donation centers for high-end dresses. This works if you think these can be reasonably worn to a wedding, job interview, fashion walk, or any other special occasion like prom!
Do Not Donate Unacceptable Clothing
- If the clothes you want to give away have holes in them or are too worn out to be shared with others, do not take them to charity centers. Instead, it is advised that you repurpose or recycle the clothes. If nothing else works, simply throw them away. Anything that isn’t suitable for your use shouldn’t be given as a donation.
- The same goes for clothes that are dirty or have a weird smell in them. You can wash them or take the dry cleaner’s help to see if the stain and smell go away. They may be fit for donation after professional help but if the stains are too stubborn, they should not be donated. You can repurpose them yourself.
- Undergarments aren’t fit for donations. No matter how clean they are or even if you have branded ones that you do not use anymore, such pieces of garments are personal and must be bought new.
Etiquette Checklist Before You Donate The Clothes
- Don’t consider charity as a way to rid your closet of dirty or worn-out clothing. Either get them fixed first or washed properly if you want to donate.
- Clothes with persistent stains, strong smell, and damage, should not be given away to charity centers. It is strongly advised that you repurpose or throw them away.
- You will find donation program guidelines for all reputable charity organizations. Consult these and make sure you double-check the pointers mentioned there before finalizing the donation.
- Most charity centers that accept clothing prefer that the pieces are not older than a year or so. Therefore, we recommend that you clean your closet once every year or ideally at the end of the season to select clothes that you want to donate.
- There may be some expensive pieces of clothing in your closets such as suits or formal dresses. You can put them to better use instead of donating to a general charity collection center by giving them to people who need clothes for job interviews.
- You don’t have to do the chore of taking out and packing donations all by yourself. Ask friends or close relatives to help you out. This will not only save your time and energy but also allow them to choose any clothing that they like. Charity begins at home after all, right?
Contact Donation Bin/ Charity For Help
When all clothing items are set to give away, wash them yourself or get them dry cleaned one last time
Then it would be time to look for a local charity location drop-off in your area. You can also look for reasonable donation bins online. Some companies will pick up the stuff you are donating from your doorsteps with minimal fees.
It is ideal to look for national or local organizations that accept clothing donations. Some will help clear the stuff from your home. Otherwise, it may end up sitting in the garage or store for months.
Alternatives To Clothing Donations
- You can repurpose or recycle the clothes you don’t need. Turn them into something that will serve a better purpose such as stitching a cushion cover or a bag.
- Turn the older clothes that were stained or had holes in them into dust rags. They are pretty good for cleaning glass windows, tables, and kitchen counters. You will also save money on buying wipes or sponge cleaners.
- Contact a textile recycling unit in your area to see what they can do with the old clothes you are willing to provide. There are multiple recycling options in all cities that you can make use of. Most of these are non-profit organizations.
