Spring cleaning season has arrived, and with it, closet cleaning projects. Changing out winter clothing for spring and summer wardrobes is an ideal time to sort through what’s worth keeping versus what should be re-homed, recycled, or thrown away.
If you find yourself attached to a particular piece in your closet, even holes don’t have to be a dealbreaker. See if you can patch or stitch the item to repair it. Even if you don’t own a sewing machine or have sewing expertise, these basic hand stitches can help!
If, however, you find yourself with clothing that has simply outlived its useful life for you, whether it no longer fits, is an outdated style, no longer suits your lifestyle, or has stains, a broken zipper, or stretched-out elastic, it is most likely time to repurpose or get rid of these items.
Almost all clothing can be recycled, and there are many alternatives to simply tossing out old textiles. Every year, millions of pounds of clothings and shoes are repurposed into products such as industrial wipes, polishing cloths, and insulation. Avoid the landfill by:
- Donating wearable, clean items free of holes or other damage to your local thrift mart or secondhand clothing store.
- Repurposing clothing at home. Some ideas include:
- Mismatched baby and children’s socks can be filled with catnip and used as cat toys.
- Old cotton fabric can be cut into dusting rags: baby burp rags make wonderful cleaning and dust cloths!
- Jeans and other items can be cut up and used for craft projects. If you don’t craft, Freecycle is a good place to find someone who can use clothing scraps for crafting.
- Adult socks can be knotted in the middle and used as toys for smaller dogs.
- Comfy old t-shirts can be used in pet beds.
- Local animal shelters may accept old towels and blankets for cleanup and bedding.
- Finding a designated textile drive or textile recycling bin in which to place unwanted shoes and clothing. Some stores also accept these items.
If you have rare, vintage, or “dry clean only” clothes, Mattituck Laundry’s professional dry cleaning service can care for your most treasured pieces. With locations in Mattituck, Greenport, and East Hampton, and offering pick up and delivery service, Mattituck Laundry makes it convenient for your clothes to get the best care while freeing up your time. Please call one of our locations to schedule services, or visit our website to learn more about us!
