How To Responsibly Get Rid Of Your Unwanted Clothes

Spring cleaning is all about freshening up our houses from top to bottom … and that includes our wardrobe. This is the perfect time to go through your old clothes and figure out what you no longer wear (or what you no longer want).

We all need a wardrobe overhaul every once in a while. I’m sure there are pieces at the back of your dresser that haven’t seen the light in years – no judgement, I’m guilty of it too!

Deciding what should stay and what should go is the easy part. It’s actually having to get rid of your unwanted clothes which causes the most confusion. What is the best (i.e. most responsible) thing to do with old items of clothing?

Here are a few ideas that’ll help you dispose of your clothes in a sustainable way:

1. Donate unwanted clothes to friends and family

It’s easy to think that just because you’ve gone off an item of clothing, no one else will want it. But, often it’s the complete opposite. You could own something that someone else has been dying to get their hands on!

Whenever I’m sorting through my wardrobe, my sister gets first dibs on anything I plan to throw out. We’re the same size and have very similar taste in clothing so it works out pretty well.

If this isn’t an option, try offering a few pieces to your friends. You never know, they might be super excited to receive a new dress or pair of jeans – especially if it’s something they’ve complimented you on before!

2. Sell old pieces online

Selling your unwanted clothes requires a little more effort than simply donating them. But it’s a great way to give your old items a new home (and make a little extra money on the side). Most online marketplaces are really straightforward to use and you can upload a new listing in just minutes!

The clothes obviously have to be in a pretty good state to be sold. However, if there is (for example) a button missing, you can add this to the description so that potential buyers know it needs a little TLC before it can be worn.

Here are some of the best places to sell your clothes online:

• eBay
• Vinted – Best for mid-market, high street brands.
• Depop – Unique, quirky items usually sell well here.
• Facebook Marketplace – Ideal for those who want to sell locally.

3. Give them to charity

Another responsible way to clear out your unwanted clothes is to give them to charity. For many this is probably the default choice, since it is relatively easy and fuss-free. However, it is important to think about which charity shops you’re going to donate to and whether they really need the clothes.

Loads of charity shops are already bursting with clothes, and offloading more onto them risks turning places like these into a dumping ground for discarded old items. It’s always worth checking beforehand whether they’re accepting donations and, if not, how you can help these charities in other ways.

Fortunately, there are companies that are attempting to circulate second-hand clothing in a more sustainable manner. I’ve recently discovered Thrift+ and I love the concept. You send your unwanted clothes to them, they check the quality and then send it on to the customer. 1/3 of the profit goes to a cause of your choice, you get another 1/3 back as Thrift+ credit and the other 1/3 covers the processing fees. It’s such a good idea!

4. Donate them to local shelters

If you want to ensure that your clothes are ending up in the right place, why not donate them directly? There are so many organisations that would be really grateful to receive the items you no longer want.

Again, make sure the clothes are in good condition and that they would be useful for those who receive them. These are the kind of things that many shelters and their service users are in need of:

• Waterproof jackets
• Hoodies
• Trainers
• Joggers
• Backpacks
• Hats, scarves and gloves

5. Host a clothes swap

Ok, so this might not be possible at the moment (due to COVID). However, when things start opening back up this is 100% something you can do.

It requires some planning and you’ll need to find a space to host it, but I actually think it would be a really fun event to run. Fashion Revolution has a ‘how-to guide’ to give you some pointers on things like promo materials and logistics. And, for extra assistance, you could ask your friends to help set it up.

If this sounds like a little too much, you don’t have to host a clothes swap of your own – you can attend someone else’s. Fashion Revolution keeps track of all local events so you can check if anything is happening near you. Understandably, the events calendar is pretty bare at the moment, but – with any luck – it’ll pick up soon!

6. Upcycle or refashion them

Sometimes unwanted clothes just need a little bit of love to make them wearable again. The truth is we often get rid of clothing, not because it’s broken or doesn’t fit, but simply because it’s out of fashion.

When I’m clearing through my stuff, I always try and come up with ways that I can transform my old clothes to suit the style I have now. It’s actually a lot easier than you would think!

There are loads of YouTube tutorials and ‘thrift flips’ that demonstrate how this can be done. They’re actually super interesting to watch and I find that having a little DIY project is such a fun, productive way to spend your free time.

Check out my post on how to transform your old jeans for some upcycling inspiration.

7. Repurpose them

Not all old items of clothing are fit to be worn again. If something is beyond repair then the final option would be to repurpose it and use it for another function.

If any of the material can be salvaged, try making something wearable out of it like a scrunchie or a headband. For something more practical, I also think lavender pouches are an amazing idea. Just put them in your wardrobe or dresser drawers, and your clothes will smell SO good!

If worst comes to worst, and nothing can be saved, you can always use your old clothes as rags. Offcuts are great for cleaning and dusting.

What do you do with your unwanted clothes? Do you have any extra tips on how to responsibly get rid of things you no longer wear? Let me know in the comments.