Cleaning Your Closet - What To Do With Old Clothes?

I believe everyone is guilty, maybe some more than others of having a ton of clothes sitting in their drawers and hanging in their closets that have not been worn, much less even touched, in years. Spring is on its way around the corner, so why not clean out those drawers and closets and do something with those old clothes! I have put together some ideas of exactly what you can do with those clothes after you clean them out of your drawers and closets!

The Actual Removing of the Clothes
When you are cleaning out those old clothes, it is good to make some separate piles.

Keep Pile
In this pile put all the items that you want to keep. This should be things that you wear at least once a week. Remember, if you have not worn it in over a year, then it is time to get rid of it.

Trash Pile
In this pile put all the items that just need to be thrown away. This should be things that are stained or have rips, tears, etc. and are not worth trying to fix or cannot be fixed.

Give Away Pile
Put all the items that you may want to give away to someone you know in this pile. Maybe you are cleaning out your kid's clothes and you know someone that could use them as hammy downs.

Ebay Pile
Maybe you have some clothes that are in like new or even new condition and you cannot bring yourself to just give them away or donate them, sell them on EBay! You may be surprised at the kind of money your clothes could bring in from EBay!

Project Idea Pile
A great and fun project for old clothes is to make a patch blanket. This is great to do with some of your child's most favorite clothes that they had when they were a baby or toddler. This is also great to do with your teen's shirts from high school which

Donate Pile
Put all the items that you want to donate in this pile. Remember not to put items that should really be in the trash pile in this pile. Only donate things that you would want donated to you.

Once you have made your piles, go back through them and double check each item so that you are sure you have placed them in the right category.

Now What?
Now that the hard part is over, you can begin the process of putting your keep pile back in your closet or drawers, throwing away the trash pile, giving your give away pile to someone, starting your EBay business, and deciding where you want to donate the donate pile to.

Donations
Here are just a few places that you can donate your clothes to.

Goodwill
Goodwill accepts new or gently used items such as clothes, appliances and furniture. They will even come to your house and pick your donation up or you can take your donation to one of their many drop boxes. You can locate your local Goodwill at http://locator.goodwill.org/ or by calling 1-800-664-6577.

The Salvation Army
The salvation Army accepts used furniture, clothing, and other household items. You can schedule a pick up by calling 1-800-95-TRUCK or you may drop your donation off at one of their drop off centers. To find a center in your area go to salvationarmyusa.org and type in your area code.

Dress For Success
Dress for Success accepts new and gently used suits, business attire and accessories. "To suit our clients in style, Dress for Success currently accepts new or nearly-new and cleaned: Coordinated, contemporary, interview-appropriate skirt and pant suits, Beautiful, crisp blouses, Gorgeous blazers and jackets, Professional shoes." For more information on how to donate go to dressforsuccess.org

The Women's Alliance
The Women's Alliance is similar to Dress For Success. They accept gently used women's business attire. For information on where and how to donate visit
http://www.thewomensalliance.org/

There are many other places that you can donate your used clothes. Churches will gladly accept donations as they give them to the elderly and check around your town for clothing drives.