The Do’s & Don’ts of Clothing Donation

Follow the accepted protocol when you donate your used clothing. Check out our directions below. 

Clothing Donation To Do’s

1. First things first, identify the clothes you need to donate:

A quick rule of thumb for clothing donations: If an item is in good condition (no stains, holes, or tears and is clean), it’s likely faultless for donating.

Ideal for clothing donation:

• Is there anything collecting dust in your closet or at the bottom of your drawer? Consider donating clothes you simply don’t consume anymore.
• Too small or tight? It’s the right time to pass it down to someone else.
• No longer go with the latest trend? Get rid of anything that doesn’t fit your style.
• Don’t hesitate to add high-end items like a suit or a formal dress. Many charity organizations will accept those items for special programs that will help people in need look nice and sharp for a job interview or for special functions.

Not acceptable for clothing donation:

• No undergarments. No, if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. Undies are items that need to be purchased newly for everyone.
• Does your favorite shirt has a hole in it? Then it’s time to repurpose, recycle, or throw it away. Only consider donating items that looks new or gently worn.
• Does your short gives out a weird smell? That’s a not for donation.
• If any of your clothes have patches or stains on them, try to remove them yourself or take it to a professional. If the stain won’t budge, then the item should not be donated.

2. Make sure all items have been lately washed/dry cleaned:

Your clothing donations have to be fresh and clean for the new owner to be!

3. Get the clothes to the donation center/charity:

This one may seem pretty obvious but without a proper plan, probability is very high that your bag of donations may end up sitting in the corner of the store room for another 6 months. To make things simple, here are two options to get those items out the door!

• Option 1 – Washapp will pick up your clothing donations, free of charge with any washapp order. You can check if you’re in our service area here.
• Option 2 – Drop your clothes off at alittle charity head office.

Clothing Donation Alternatives

If your clothes are not suitable for donations, don’t lose hope, you can also repurpose or recycle them and minimize the fabric waste collected to the environment.

Repurpose old clothes:

Some old clothes can be used as rugs and can also be used for cleaning away the dust while other types of clothes like shirts can easily be turned into dog toys.

Recycle clothes, towels and bed sheets that aren’t fit for donation:

If you come across any way to make use from your old clothes around your house, then you can always reach out to a local nonprofit organization on helping you with textile recycling. Oftentimes, they will be able to take your old clothes to textile recyclers.