What to do with clothes you do not use

Short answer: Sell what is in good condition, donate what others can use, and take the rest to textile collection. None of it belongs in the bin. A simple sort into three piles helps each garment find the right place to go.

Sort into three piles

Take out the clothes you have not worn in a long time and make three piles: sell, donate and drop off. Be honest about what is in good shape and what is worn. That makes the rest much easier. Once the piles are made, you can handle them one at a time without it feeling overwhelming.

Sell what is still new enough

Items in good condition and still in production can be resold at a price worth the time. That includes bamboo T-shirts for women. Take a few clear photos in daylight, note size and condition, and set a fair price. The item then often finds a new owner quickly.

Donate what can be used

Whole, clean items can easily be worn by others, even after a couple of years of use. That also applies to bamboo panties, but only if they are completely unworn. Wash the clothes before dropping them off and fold them neatly. That makes it easier for the receiver to sort them and pass them on.

Drop off the rest

Worn items can still be recycled as fibre or cut into cloths for the home. That also applies to bamboo socks with holes in the toe. Take them to textile collection so the material can be used again. Even clothes that will never be worn again have value as fibre, and it is a shame to burn them.

Cloths for the home

An old T-shirt makes a good cleaning cloth. The soft fabric picks up dust, polishes windows and wipes spills. Cut it into handy pieces and keep them in a box under the sink. When the cloths are used up, they can go to textile collection. It is a simple way to give a worn garment one last job.

Make it a regular habit

Many people go through their wardrobe when the seasons change and summer clothes are packed away or brought out. That is a good time to look at what has not been worn. If you have not worn something for a whole season, it is worth asking whether it should move on. That keeps the piles from growing too large.

Think about the next purchase

Sorting unused clothes also teaches you about your habits. Perhaps there are several items in the same colour, or things that never quite fit. Use that knowledge next time you shop, so you buy what you actually wear. It makes the next clear out smaller and the purchases fewer.

The bin is the last resort

Clothing almost never belongs in general waste. Even worn items with holes can go to textile collection. The exception is clothing that is very dirty or wet, since it can spoil the rest of the collection. Keep textiles dry and clean so they have the best chance of being used again rather than burned.

Frequently asked questions

Can you donate used underwear

Only if it is unworn. Used underwear belongs in textile collection, where it can be recycled as fibre instead of being passed on.

Where do you sell used clothes

On resale platforms or in second hand shops that accept items. Good daylight photos and an honest description of condition and size help the item move on faster.

What about items with holes

They belong in textile collection, not in the bin. You can also cut them into cloths and use them at home before dropping them off.