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Original poster

Clothes clear out - recommendations!

13 replies

chalkyc2 · 02/10/2023 08:16

My wardrobes are completely filled to the brim - I actually feel sick when I open them - so much waste, can't find anything. As a bit of a yo-yo dieter they accommodate outfits to fit a huge range of sizes from a 22 to a 14. I'm currently a size 16 but terrified to throw out the bigger stuff in case I need it again 😬

There's clothes I've worn once/never worn. None of it is expensive/designer - all high street/M&S - but not rubbish. I have zero time to sort this and my husband will freak out when he sees the scale of the problem but I need to do something - and I need to stop buying more clothes.

Apart from literally throwing it all in black bin liners and putting in textile recycling - are there any easy ways to get rid of large quantities of clothes? I can't lug it all to a charity shop there's just too much. I have zero time to organise selling it and I can't believe beyond maybe a few bits any of it is worth selling. Some of it is definitely just for the tip.

Help....!

OP posts:
Fleabane · 02/10/2023 08:18

Breast cancer have clothes recycling bins in many supermarkets. They sort and resell/ use for textiles.

LadyDanburysHat · 02/10/2023 08:20

Anything really decent list on Facebook marketplace. You won't get that much but better than nothing.

Andre take some to charity shops, but spread it around. A bag per shop.

ElleDeeCB · 02/10/2023 08:21

There’s a company called Anglo Doorstep Collections who collect items from you (you book a collection date via their website) and some of their income then goes to charity. I don’t have a car so I’ve found it’s by fair the easiest way to declutter.

ElleDeeCB · 02/10/2023 08:22

Also look on your local authority website recycling pages to see where the textile recycling bins are - for items not in such good condition.

ChristmasCrumpet · 02/10/2023 08:24

Google women's refuges in your area. Volunteers will often come and collect if you've got a lot, and your things could be invaluable to someone who's had to flee their home with nothing.

Britpopbaby · 02/10/2023 08:27

I think part of the issue OP is that you have mentioned being a yo yo dieter and so you are thinking “what if “and” just in case” all related to your size. I think that you need to dress for the size you are at now and if you want to go back to being a little smaller then commit to that and get rid of your size 22s and put your 14s away for a while and try them on to measure any progress.

lots of supermarkets have textile recycling bins for various causes so maybe look at those alongside doing a shop. You could also try and contact any homeless charities and ask if they would be prepared to do a pick up.

Original poster
chalkyc2 · 02/10/2023 08:29

Ok a charity pick up service sounds ideal!! I will look into this.

I think there's maybe 3 piles of stuff.

  • Textile recycling for underwear/pjs/old t shirts etc
  • Charity collection
  • Few decent/unworn bits to sell

Last time I lost weight and had a clear out I immediately put weight on. This is all another thread but you're right - I just need stuff for now.

OP posts:
Original poster
chalkyc2 · 02/10/2023 08:32

@ChristmasCrumpet you're right - I could clothe about 5 people easily. I work full time and spend my whole weekend ferrying kids around and have so little head space for this but need to sort it for everyone's benefit...

OP posts:
Fleabane · 02/10/2023 08:44

The pick up collections aren't charities just fyi. Or if they do give anything to charity it's about 5p. If you have a car you can easily clear out a whole wardrobe with 10 bin bags of clothing in the breast cancer bins.

You can also post clothes for free to Oxfam.

MayIDestroyYou · 02/10/2023 08:51

ChristmasCrumpet · 02/10/2023 08:24

Google women's refuges in your area. Volunteers will often come and collect if you've got a lot, and your things could be invaluable to someone who's had to flee their home with nothing.

Honestly, honestly - women living temporarily in hostels have enough to deal with, without having other people’s rubbish foisted on them.

Better for the old clothes to be sold in bulk as fabric and the money donated as grants for women to buy their own clothes.

Stressybetty · 02/10/2023 08:54

I'm similar, got clothes in several sizes due to weight gain. I went through everything and made several piles. Stuff that's too small but I really love and if I lost weight would regret not keeping I've vacuum bagged and put away. Everything else I've been brutally honest and either keeping, charity or selling. I've got another large vacuum bag of smarter work clothes (am on a career break), smaller one of holiday clothes and just about to sort summer clothes to put away. Have had to be really tough and sell things like jeans that fit but aren't that comfortable or a hoodie I love but colour doesn't do much for me etc.

MayIDestroyYou · 02/10/2023 09:17

(I’m perfectly sure I wrote refuges above, rather than hostels. Too late to edit.)

Zipps · 02/10/2023 09:25

Some high street charity shops will collect if you ring them. I helped my parents declutter and they took away 15 or so boxes and bin liners.
Open your wardrobe take out the things that you like, wear, fits you today, suit you and your lifestyle then charity shop the rest. That's your starting point. No point going through all the items that are left one at a time, they are just clutter.
Then work out what if anything is missing and shop selectively for those items gradually.
You should end up with a wardrobe that you love and actually wear.

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