5 Ways to Recycle your Clothes

Hello my darling friends! With a little extra time on our hands in the evenings and weekends, people everywhere are cleaning out their closets! So I decided to put together this post of 5 Ways to Recycle your Clothes.

I fear the day we’re back to normal and the thrift stores are overwhelmed with new inventory items. What most people don’t know is that when charity shops, goodwills, salvation army and thrift shops can’t keep up a huge portion of their new inventory just … wait for it… goes to the dump. I won’t lie, that kills me… and the environment, if I’m being honest.

So, as your friendly neighborhood Oregonian, here are my suggestions for recycling clothing. Shall we get into it?

Table of Contents

5 Ways to Recycle your clothes:

One // Have a Virtual Clothing Swap

I have closet envy of a lot of my friends and family. I love their style. For a Clothing Swap, put aside clothing items that are in great condition still (no holes, no thread pulls, stains, smells, etc) and ask your friends if they’d be interested in a virtual swap! Go through each piece and if someone wants it, fantastic! If not, there are 5 other ideas coming up.

This can also be a TON of fun by simply dressing up or making a wine night out of it. Obviously arrange a safe drop off, in a box with recently washed items. Your friends should definitely wash them before use as well. This is a great way to see your clothes get a second life, especially when you get to how your friends style their new pieces.

NOTE: For those reading this in the future, right now we’re in a the time of Covid-19 pandemic. So, I understand that this might be a bit arguable right now, (controversial, political, etc etc). In short, people are going to have their own opinion and that’s fantastic! In this case, I say: Please skip this idea, if you’re not in it.

Two // Make Cleaning/Dish Towels

Haha! Am I crazy? Not in the slightest. I know you have an old tank top that you use as PJs. It’s got a hole in it, you love it, it’s soft and comfortable and you can’t get rid of it. However, it’s finally on its last life.

Cut it up and use it as a disinfectant towel for your phone, glasses, mirrors, windows, TVs, etc.

If you’re savvy, you can sew the ends, add some embroidery or cross-stitching and turn some items in decorative dish towels.

Three // Make Head Wraps/Head Bands

I love this one because the sky is the limit! Cut your shirt or pants into stripes, sew (or glue) the ends until its long enough to wrap around your head. A really cute tutorial is here on my IG.

Voila! A new head band for Spring days in the sun!

Four // Sell your Clothes Online

I know this one is obvious but why not try to sell some of your more valuable pieces for a profit. Put the money toward your student loans, car payment, mortgage, etc. One woman’s kindly-worn handbag is another woman’s new Tory Burch IT bag.

Bonus points for giving your cash to charity. Shelters and hospitals need it the most right now.

Five // Make it Shorter

Perhaps I’m the only one to notice but this year’s trends seem to be all about the crop. Cropped hoodies, cropped jeans, cropped hair. Crop crop crop. Why not cut up your jeans and turn them into shorts? Shorten your skirt to be a mini. Chop your tee and turn it into a cropped workout top.

You also do not need to know to sew. Raw edges are still very trendy right now, along with this trend. If you crop jeans, consider pulling some of the threads at the ends of the garment and then throw them in the wash and drier to get them to fray.

BONUS // Friendship Bracelets

Have the opposite issue? Not enough material? Cut into strips, braid and make a necklace or friendship bracelets out of it. I have a little faux niece who would love to have a friendship bracelet with me. There is nothing better than getting a package in the mail from Auntie Alli.

Hoping you’re all healthy, safe and happy out there!

Alli

If you liked this post on 5 Ways to Recycle your Clothes, you might also like these:

What NOT to Buy at the Thrift Store – for tips on what to skip on your next trip.
5 Ways to Workout at Home – when you’re stuck at home with energy.
Easiest Vegan Minestrone Soup – if you’re looking for a healthy meal.