Logan Voss
It’s always a heartwarming feeling to contribute items to donation drives. From toys to furniture and clothing, there’s always time to donate things you no longer need. Before giving things to an organization, there are things you need to avoid doing. Here are the do’s and don’ts of donating clothing to charity.
The Do’s of Donating Apparel
Before dropping off apparel into a donation box or at the charity’s doors, you must know what to do with your clothes. The first thing is to sort through everything carefully—if there are items you don’t want to donate, set them aside—this includes any expensive items or heirlooms.
Just like you’d wash thrifted clothes at home, you should wash clothes before donating. After they’re donated, many people try on your old clothing items. It’s essential to wash all your garments so that when a person tries them on, they don’t need to worry about foul odors or stains adorning a piece.
If your wardrobe is by season, try and donate those clothes by season. In other words, don’t donate a winter jacket in summer. Many decide to donate fall and winter-themed items often, creating clusters of seasonal clothing that can’t go out yet because it’s too warm.
Before sending anything off, learn about the charity you’re donating to. Getting to know an organization helps you discover its values and determine if they align with your beliefs. Additionally, check that their practices are ethical and don’t charge upfront costs for donations.
The Don’ts of Donating Garments
As excited as you are to condense your closets and give to those in need, it’s essential not to overdo it. It’s tempting to donate your entire wardrobe, but many places limit how much a person can contribute at one time. For instance, one charity may limit you to three bags of clothes since they get so many already.
Avoid donating worn-out or torn-up items. There are ways to reuse damaged goods, and it’s better to repurpose them than donate something no one has a use for. If you have things that need buttons sown on, go to a craft store and buy the tools you need.
Don’t donate used undergarments. It’s better to toss them—many organizations have strict rules on what’s appropriate to donate. The only garments that should go are women’s wear, and no bottoms.
The Benefits of Donating Clothes
There are many things to appreciate about donated clothes. Not only do greenhouse gases decrease, but old clothing gets reused as well. Here are the other benefits many enjoy through donating to charity:
- Your home’s clutter-free.
- You reduce your carbon footprint.
- You help other community members.
There’s so much to learn about the joys of donating clothing. Now that you know what to do before donating clothes, take the time to sort through what you want to donate and hold onto. Every donation is your decision; make sure to follow this guide to make better donation decisions.
