Going thru old clothes...

[raysnkaysmom]

I start a mini at home vacation this week and I want to get my laundry and clothes under control... My kids probably have 10loads easy of clothes they either don't like or dont fit into... Here's my dilemma..
They are nice, trendy clothes that I'd love to donate (or ideally sell) but, I dont' want to waste my whole vacation doing laudry for clothes we aren't even going to wear!! Is it totally awful to donate to Goodwill or something like that, with unwashed clothing? Some of this has been in storage, but none would be stained or anything...
I'd just like the clothes out of the house to make room for what we actually wear, and move on with that aspect
Should I toss them, donate them or suck it up and wash....

 

[MinnieMe87]

At our Goodwill and The Salvation Army, they wash all of the clothes they get donated. I'm not sure if it's the same for every location, but it is the norm in our area. Good luck, I hate sorting clothes!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

As long as they are just sitting in storage dirty, not BO in the summertime dirty, I'd donate them as is.

 

[EthansMom]

As long as they are just sitting in storage dirty, not BO in the summertime dirty, I'd donate them as is.

I agree with this.

Also, look around to see if you have a local-area charity thrift shop where your donation would benefit your local community. Our Goodwill ships the good stuff off somewhere else. But the town thrift shop LOVES good items and the money raised helps people in need who live right here.

ETA: I found that the places that bought used clothes were waaaay too picky and didn't pay out enough money to make it worth my while. I'd have to freshly wash, iron, and hang each item and they'd pay me $1.50. My time is worth more than that.

 

[Twins]

Any chance that you might have a neighbor that is in need of children's clothing? I have a neighbor who has children a little younger than mine. While standing at the bus stop one day she mentioned that she shops at the Salvation Army for most of her kid's clothes. I had been taking my kid's outgrown clothes to the Salvation Army! Now I cut out the middle man and give her all the clothes in good condition. I keep a bag by my laundry room door and as I see that clothing is getting too small for my kids I wash it and immediately put it in the bag. When the bag is full I walk it over to her house. It saves her tons of money and I see her kids wearing the clothes so I know they are being put to good use. It feels great to help a neighbor.

 

[EthansMom]

Any chance that you might have a neighbor that is in need of children's clothing? I have a neighbor who has children a little younger than mine. While standing at the bus stop one day she mentioned that she shops at the Salvation Army for most of her kid's clothes. I had been taking my kid's outgrown clothes to the Salvation Army! Now I cut out the middle man and give her all the clothes in good condition. I keep a bag by my laundry room door and as I see that clothing is getting too small for my kids I wash it and immediately put it in the bag. When the bag is full I walk it over to her house. It saves her tons of money and I see her kids wearing the clothes so I know they are being put to good use. It feels great to help a neighbor.

I send my best "name-brand" kids' clothes on to a guy that works with DH who has two kids a year or two younger than mine. Their mom is always ecstatic to get the clothes... saves her hundreds of dollars a year.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Any chance that you might have a neighbor that is in need of children's clothing? I have a neighbor who has children a little younger than mine. While standing at the bus stop one day she mentioned that she shops at the Salvation Army for most of her kid's clothes. I had been taking my kid's outgrown clothes to the Salvation Army! Now I cut out the middle man and give her all the clothes in good condition. I keep a bag by my laundry room door and as I see that clothing is getting too small for my kids I wash it and immediately put it in the bag. When the bag is full I walk it over to her house. It saves her tons of money and I see her kids wearing the clothes so I know they are being put to good use. It feels great to help a neighbor.

Our neighbors across the street have 2 girls (out of 8 kids) and I've already handed down alot of what would fit them...
But, thats what I'd love to do. I've given a few to the 'kids in need' on craigslist as well, but its always been washed items...
Hopefully this week I'll get a good bunch and give where needed.
And...I'd never donate 'BO Summer" clothes...LOL, just clothes that need to be washed..

 

[HelenePA]

Ummm I've been doing the same thing (as you know from my facebook status!) I'm going to attempt a yard sale and then donate the rest to a local church.. I am not washing all of them. I can hardly keep up with what NEEDS to be washed yet alone just stuff sitting in storage!

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Ummm I've been doing the same thing (as you know from my facebook status!) I'm going to attempt a yard sale and then donate the rest to a local church.. I am not washing all of them. I can hardly keep up with what NEEDS to be washed yet alone just stuff sitting in storage!

I know...I wish I could get some of Anthonys clothes!! LOL

Thats me...with 4 kids, I can't even keep up with my own washing! My only Saturday off is my DDs bday party this month, so no yardsale in site, and I want it all out of the house...lol

 

[ksjayhawks]

Does your community have freecycle (freecycle.org)? If so, place an ad on there and you will get lots of responses. Or contact a local elem school counselor as they know families in need.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Does your community have freecycle (freecycle.org)? If so, place an ad on there and you will get lots of responses. Or contact a local elem school counselor as they know families in need.

ok..I just found and joined a freecycle...cant' figure out how to find stuff on it tho...lol
Thats a good idea...I will check my daughters school

 

[ksjayhawks]

ok..I just found and joined a freecycle...cant' figure out how to find stuff on it tho...lol
Thats a good idea...I will check my daughters school

If you go to your "group" you can post a message for stuff to give away. You can also view posts from that page.

You can choose to have emails sent to your email address--can be overwhelming at times--or view them at the group page.

I give away a lot of stuff on freecycle as do several of my friends/neighbors. I have even gotten some stuff, especially items I need for my classroom!