How to Reuse Kids' Clothes
Kids can outgrow clothing at an alarming rate, leading to a large accumulation of used clothing. As the outgrown clothing piles up, consider various ways in which you can reuse your children̵7;s clothing. Instead of simply discarding the clothes so they sit decaying in a landfill, make a decision that ensures that someone will continue to use the clothes until they are not usable anymore.
Things You'll Need
- Laundry detergent
- Laundry stain product
- Needle and thread
- Plastic storage bins
Instructions
Wash outgrown clothing to prepare to reuse it. Check garments for stains and rips during the washing process. Check zippers and buttons for functionality. If you find items that need repair or that have stains, set these garments aside so you can work on them. Mend or fix damaged items and use a laundry stain product on stains to remove them. Assess items for potential safety issues. A garment with a drawstring at the neck or waist is unsafe for children̵7;s wear, states the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Remove all drawstrings from clothing or modify the drawstrings. To modify, trim the drawstring so it is no longer than 3 inches and does not have plastic toggles or knots in the ends. Stitch through the channel of the drawstring to anchor it into the channel so it can̵7;t pull through either side. Pack items away in a plastic storage bin to save them for your own future children. Group items in bins according to size and gender and label bins clearly. Store the bins in a cool and dry location in your home. Give items away to friends or family with children who could wear the clothing. Encourage the clothing recipients to pass the items on to others after their children outgrow them. Donate the items to charity to enable less fortunate people to use the clothing. Request a donation receipt to enable you to claim the donation for tax purposes, if desired. The charity will provide you with a receipt that does not include a dollar value. To claim the donated items on your income tax return, calculate the value of the clothing using a donation value guide. Keep detailed notes about your donation with your tax records, advises the Bankrate website. Take the items to a consignment store to sell them. Consignment stores have criteria for used clothing and your garments must meet these guidelines. Generally, clothing must be clean, free of stains and rips and used gently. Sell items by placing an advertisement in a local newspaper, on local bulletin boards or on the Internet. Consider having a rummage sale if you have enough used clothing and other items to sell. Consider clothing brands and condition as you price items, and strive to set competitive prices. Set prices according to what you would pay for each item if you were purchasing it, advises The Sharing Tree, a seasonal children̵7;s consignment seller. Repurpose kids̵7; clothing to reuse items creatively. Cut items into small squares and make a memory quilt out of your children̵7;s outgrown clothing. Use larger scraps of fabric from clothing to make new garments for your kids or to make doll clothes. Cut up old and faded garments and use the scraps for cleaning rags.
