What to do with old clothes

What to do with old clothes that cannot be donated

Ok, so let’s be clear - donation isn’t the only option for your old clothes. First up, you can rehome them through Reskinned’s takeback schemes, or rehome good quality clothes through gifting and resale platforms. If they need a bit of tlc, get repairing or take a look online for ways to magic away those signs of wear. We’re big fans of a trip to our local dry-cleaners to explore ways to alter clothes we no longer wear.

Any clothes that are in terrible condition can also be recycled through Reskinned’s takeback options or drop off points available at the Recycle Now website. You can also experiment with upcycling old clothes into something new. There is tons of inspiration on TikTok and Youtube. We like to dye old t-shirts and repurpose old socks for cleaning.

What to do with old baby clothes

Babies grow FAST, and before you know it you have a huge bundle of baby clothes that no longer have a home in your house. Reskinned offers takeback for kids clothes from partners like Joules. If your old baby clothes aren’t part of a Reskinned takeback scheme, we recommend rehoming them on resale platforms. Clothing piles sold in bundles make life easier for you and tend to perform better. You can also find your local charity shop specialising in kids clothes to donate.

Again, if something is really stained and unwearable, we recommend dying it or cutting it up into rags that can be used for household cleaning. Lastly, you can recycle them through our partner business LMB Textiles. Find your local drop off point on the Recycle Now website.

What to do with old jeans

What makes a pair of jeans old? Is it staining? Is it shrinking? Is it wear and tear? Is it simply time? If your old jeans are looking worn-to-death, we recommend the magic of a good at home dye job to bring life back into them. If you have any holes in your jeans, you can experiment with patching and repairing.

There is tons of inspo online on how to achieve the right effect, but you can also take them to a local specialist through platforms like The Seam. Alternatively, we also love to get creative with upcycling. Cutting a pair of ripped jeans into a pair of summer shorts is a classic for a reason.

It goes without saying, if they are in good condition but simply don’t fit, send them back to us as part of our ELV Denim takeback scheme, or rehome them with a friend. To be honest, even if they’re in terrible condition, we’ll accept them as part of the ELV Denim collaboration. We’re good like that.

What to do with old pants and socks in the UK

It’s a question as old as time. What can you do with your old pants and socks? Firstly, we’ll take them. As part of our collaboration with Humans Being, we’ll accept any clothes for takeback, no matter the brand. That means your knickers and holey socks. You quite literally just have to tell us what you’re sending in, pop them in the post and we’ll do the rest which in this case means recycling them responsibly through our sister business LMB Textiles.

If for whatever reason that’s not an option for you, you can recycle them at your local drop off point. We also recommend using old socks for dusting. It works- trust us!

What to do with old football shirts

Firstly, take them to a local charity shop or resell them online if you think they have some value. Next up, you can donate your old football shirt to a selection of charities who put them to good use.

We love Kit Aid and Kits 4 Causes who have simple instructions on their websites on how to donate your old kit. They’ll be used as part of social development projects around the world. Lastly, if they’re looking terrible and definitely can’t be worn again, recycle them at you local drop off point.

What to do with old fur coats

This one is a niche one, but it’s something we’ve been asked about. Fur coats were popular with older generations and for ethical reasons, they haven’t got the same desirability in the modern world. On the off chance you inherit something in the realm of fur from a relative, we recommend taking them to a vintage specialist or shop who can archive them properly.

If you don’t have that option, you can also contact your local emergency shelter to see if they can use them to keep vulnerable people warm. Peta also accepts old fur coats for their campaigns. If you want, you may also be able to get resale value from posting them on a platform like Ebay.

A bonus round: what to do with old coat hangers in the UK

Another niche one but we know some of you have been asking about this one. We can’t really imagine having too many hangers (is it just us who are always wondering where ours have gone?) but we understand that everyone is different. Here are your options for old coat hangers. You can donate them to a charity shop where they’ll be used to showcase stock.

Clothes or coat hangers can be made from various materials – wood, metal or plastic. If they are broken, local Recycling Centres have recycling containers for wood, metal and plastic. You’ve guessed it: find your local drop off point on the Recycle Now website.