Having a Clear Out

[GlobalTravellerbutespeciallyBognor]

Quite often posters mention they are having a clearout. I’d love to but I don’t know what to do with the clothes as (1) I’ve cancelled my eBay account ever since they asked for passport photos; (2) I’ve read negative pr about the charity/scam bags that come through the door; (3) a relative says that charity shops bin a lot of what they are sent; (4) it’s all in good condition but just too small
nowadays (this is a whole other discussion) so I would prefer not to chuck it completely.

What do you do, please?

If I can't persuade a niece to sell it on Vintwd (and they can keep the money), I reluctantly go for option 2.

I’ve volunteered for three charity shops. What gets recycled is dirty and damaged stuff. If you donate clean stuff in good condition, they will sell it. You wouldn’t believe the shit people donate. Someone tried to give us a George Foreman grill that had been well used but not cleaned. That’s just one example.

Disgusting - using the charity as a rubbish centre

thanks for the replies

Some charity shops bag up the clothes they know they can’t sell and they are sent overseas. Or they recycle and get some money back from the recycling company. They have to pay to dispose of rubbish so very little just gets binned.

This 100%. If it is clean and in good condition it will be put out for sale or kept back for the right season, if it's stained, loose threads, holes, buttons missing, zip is a bit iffy then please don't send it to a charity shop as they don't have the time or the means to make it sellable and it will go straight into the rag bag.

I donate good stuff to the charity shop. The no so good stuff goes in the clothing recycling bin outside the back of supermarkets. Some shops, like M&S also take old clothes for recycling. I never put clothes in the bin.

I do vinted for anything I think can fetch £20 or more, everything else goes to charity shop or clothes bin.

I sell on Vinted, lots of stuff for £1. It really does add up and I think for someone to pay more than double that for postage means they’ll actually use it. I like knowing it’s gone to another home, even if they resell they must need the money. This is only worth it if you live near a locker though imo. Or another postal service Vinted offers. So you can pop in on your way past etc. I think I’ve made about £300 on there so far, probably more. Some stuff Ive put on for £10-£20 but if it’s kids clothes i will put them on for £1-£3 each and lots of people buy bundles so it’s worth it. Also if something has been well worn I’ll put it on for less than £5. But I buy high street so nothing that fancy in my closet! I do one big clear out, grab a coat hanger and take a photo of the front, back and the label. Take all the photos, then load them all up. I do it one afternoon then it’s done. Can bag it all up and pop in the garage or utility, wherever you’ve got some storage. It makes clear outs a tad more enjoyable. Although uploading can feel never ending and monotonous, once it’s done you don’t have to think about it again, other than making a bit of pocket money and someone else making use of things you no longer wear and who are probably on a tight budget! It doesn’t cost anything to sell on Vinted, can withdraw your earnings and they’re usually in your bank the same day. I only started doing it last year

There are also lots of charities that you can book a home collection online. I do this when I'm having a clear out.
I do put quite a bit on vinted even for £1. Last year I made £400 (including some more expensive items). This is mainly kids clothes they grow out of, I then use my vinted balance to buy them 'new' clothes.

Charity shop good stuff. Not so good in the recycling.

last time I went to my local tip with other things they were also collecting clothes for charity. So you bag it up and leave it there in a unit. Much easier at the weekend as the charity shops are closed.

I have stopped giving to one of my local charity shops completely as they put tons of stuff in the bin out the back. Board games, jigsaws, homeware with nothing wrong with it. A friend works in a store nearby and sees them doing it.

Btw good luck with your clear out. I cleared out my wardrobe to the basics only last year and felt so much better.

If it’s genuinely in good condition, the charity shop will sell it. The only reason they have to bin some stuff / send it for rags is because so many people donate absolute rubbish.

Ok! Thank you for the ideas, everyone. I will get on with it.

Me, I pick through what's going out the door and sort to where it's best suited

Good quality clothing that really is so out dated its never going to sell - charity shops. I mean good quality as it not worn/ stained/ bobbled

Some Items I ask a friend to put on her Vinted page - that would be the odd posh frock bought for an occasion

Clothes really past their best, I check with the charity shop - a lot will take in "rag bags " as they get sold by the kilo for recycling - so the charity is still making money

Old sheets and bedding, I check with the animal charities , some will take old duvets , some dont , but all will take old towels and throws and blankets