Organization · Clothing reuse

Sort clothing into repair, reuse and donation

Before throwing clothes away, assess small repairs, continued use and locally accepted donations.

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Closet clearing can prioritize useful life rather than disposal. The US EPA recommends repairing items and buying or using secondhand goods. Donation and textile collection rules vary by locality and organization.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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Sort garments into keep wearing, repair, pass along and discard piles.
Assess small fixes such as a missing button or a loose seam.
For items unsuitable for wearing, consider appropriate reuse at home only if clean and safe.
Inspect donation items for stains, odors or damage, then wash and dry them.
Check each charity or collection bin's accepted item types and condition requirements.
Dispose of rejected items using local rules and note what you have retained to avoid overbuying.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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