With fashion trends replacing one another at lightning speed, it's easy to accumulate a pile of garments you barely use anymore. So, what do you do with your old clothes? Of course, you may donate. But what should you do with clothes that cannot be donated? And can you make money off your old clothes? We'll answer it all in this blog.

As a sustainable brand, we don't believe in fast fashion and a short lifespan. That's why at Ichcha, our eco-friendly fabrics, including dresses, table linen, and curtains, are made with durability in mind.

But we understand that sometimes you absolutely need a change. "Cleaning out the closet."

For those garments that you don't want to wear anymore but still have some life in them, here are ways to repurpose them.

1. Donate old clothes
2. Hand them down
3. Resell to thrift retailers
4. Recycle old clothes that cannot be donated
5. Recycle through textile recycling programs
6. Drop them at an animal rescue
7. Decompose organic fabric

What To Do With Your Old Clothes

Donate Old Clothes to Humanitarian Organizations

Arguably the best thing you can do with clothes you no longer use is donate them to donation centers, charities, or your local homeless shelter. There are two benefits to this: 1. You reduce your carbon footprint; 2. You get this divine satisfaction that you're helping out another human and protecting them from the cold, especially in the winter.

By donating your clothes to community service organizations, you promote the demand for used clothing, thereby crashing the need for new fabric that requires non-renewable raw materials, consequently reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry.

Here’s a list of organizations you can donate old clothes to:

• Native American Heritage Association
• Buy Nothing Project
• The Salvation Army
• Out of the Closet
• Housing Works
• Mutual Aid
• Goodwill
• Savers

You can also search for local donation centers or shelters near you. Just be sure to contact them to know their policies and what they accept.

Please avoid donating damaged clothes to charities as they'll end up in landfills, and that's no good for the environment. However, some donation centers partner with textile recycling programs and may recycle your unwanted clothes to generate fabric or funding for other uses. They may also suggest alternate ways for you to dispose of your old textiles.

Hand Them Down

If you're wondering what to do with clothes that don't fit you, handing them down to your loved ones can be an excellent option. Perhaps you ordered an adorable piece of clothing only to find it's a size bigger or smaller. Or maybe there's a gorgeous fabric in your closet you don't just see yourself wearing anymore due to your new style or size.

Rather than give it to a total stranger, see if there's a family or friend who would love it. Just be sure they’ll actually use it. If you have some good vintage clothing and little kids, consider storing them till your youngin come of age.

Resell to Thrift Retailers

Looking for what to do with old clothes for money? If you have vintage clothing or gently used clothes that are still in pristine condition, consider selling them to local thrift stores near you. It must be something you're sure people would be willing to pay for.

You can also sell your old clothes for money at Ebay, Poshmark, ThredUp, Depop, and Vinted. For higher-end pieces, resell at TheRealReal, Vestiare, or Hardly Ever Worn It. Selling your used clothes via online marketplaces allows you to leverage their established name and customer base.

Make sure to include any fault, such as missing buttons, in the item's description.

And high-quality photos matter.

Also, be aware the marketplace will take a cut from each sale you make. Do your research to find out which option will be most profitable and convenient to use.

What To Do With Old Clothes That Cannot Be Donated

Recycle Old Clothes at Home

Clothes that are stained, torn, or worn out due to excessive use are generally not suitable for donation. Question is: What do you do with old clothes that cannot be donated? Rather than let them end up in landfills, recycle old clothes you cannot donate to kitchen rags, napkins, pet beds, or even new outfits.

The internet is stocked with creative uses for worn-out garments.

Here are some creative ways to recycle old clothes at home:

• Cut old jeans into denim shorts
• Sew up T-shirts into tote bags
• Turn curtains to bed scarves
• Patchwork for new items
• Pillowcases
• Pet outfit.

Granted, all of that requires some basic sewing skills. If you lack the time and skill but still need a sustainable way to dispose of your fabrics...

Recycle Through Textile Recycling Programs

You most likely have recycling bins near your home. These bins are strictly for plastic, cans, papers, etc., but never for clothes.

To recycle old clothes that cannot be donated, send them to a textile recycling center. Textile recycling centers accept old garments no matter their condition and recycle them into rags or other fabric forms. Search on Google for textile recycling near you.

H&M Garment Collecting Program is a great option. You’ll receive a thank-you coupon to use on your next purchase.

Some cities offer textile recycling bins, so look around if there are any in your town. But don't go dumping clothes in just any bin you find.

Drop Them at an Animal Rescue

Take your unwanted clothes to an animal shelter near you. No, the dogs aren't going to wear your old t-shirts and denim. But they can sure curl up on them for warmth.

Animal shelters particularly need as many old textiles as they can get: clothes, towels, blankets, curtains, napkins, name it. And the condition doesn't matter, because the animals don't care. The apparel will either be used as rags or beddings to keep our furry friends warm.

Decompose Organic Fabrics

If you have garments made of 100% organic fabric (such as linen, cotton, and hemp), composting them is an eco-friendly way to dispose them totally. Especially if you garden.

Organic fabrics are, well, organic and as such, are biodegradable. This reduces the amount of fabric going into landfill.

Thankfully, many fashion brands, as well as individuals, are now moving to sustainable fashion to combat the dire environmental impact of the fashion industry. At Ichcha, this is our #1 mission.

We specially design our home textiles using organic cotton. So whether you're buying our tablecloths or napkins, rest assured you won't have any trouble discarding them without harming the environment.

To compost organic fabric,

• Remove anything that won't biodegrade, such as buttons and zippers
• Shred them in bits to reduce the size
• Use hot compost for faster decomposition
• Add worm to the compost pile

When composted, natural fibers like linen and organic cotton can decompose in just a few weeks. You can use the compost to fertilize your garden or gift whoever needs it. You help someone and the environment, too!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Why Should You Avoid Disposing Old Clothes?

Dumping old clothing in landfills poses a significant threat to our environment. Next to oil and food, the fashion industry is the third most polluting industry in the world, producing up to 10% of our annual greenhouse gas emissions. Producing new textiles also consumes enough water to quench the thirst of 5 million people yearly. By recycling used clothes, we reduce the rate at which new ones are produced.

What Clothes Should Not be Donated?

When donating, avoid items that are torn or in any unusable condition. If you donate garments in poor condition, these unwanted clothes may end up in landfills, defeating your original purpose.

How Do You Dispose of Clothes Not Good Enough for Charity?

Drop off your unwanted clothes at a textile recycling center. Check online to see which one is closest to you. Otherwise, repurpose the fabric as rags, etc. This reduces your overall textile waste.

How to Store Vintage Garments?

Store vintage garments in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and deterioration. Use padded hangers for delicate fabrics, and store heavier garments flat to avoid stretching. You can also place old vintage in breathable garment bags or wrap them in acid-free paper to protect against dust and moisture.