We all have lots of clothes lying around the house that we just don’t use anymore. Many people keep them in their closets collecting dust year after year, while others simply throw them away. There are a few things you can do to your clothes to help maximize the amount of money you put into them. These simple tips will help you get more worth out of your clothes, so you can feel great about your investments. Some of these concepts may even become a great family project, so you can all learn how to make more out of your clothing from now on. You won’t just be doing your budget a favor by following these ideas, but you’ll also be doing great by the environment too.
1. Blankets
A lot of people have fun t-shirts that they don’t want to part with well after the clothing looks faded and holey. There’s some great options for clothes like this though. For starters, you can cut out the image on your t-shirt and combine it with other shirts to make a large blanket. This can be accomplished by sewing, but if you’re not skilled like that then you may want to tie the pieces together to create a simple blanket that will look great on display. If you’re into quilting then you can also use the pieces for this, but you don’t have to simply stick to t-shirt pieces. You can use old baby clothes, jeans or even fabrics from family members that have passed on. Another option is to take old fabrics and braid them together to make a colorful blanket that will brighten up and dorm room.
2. Toys
Another exciting option, especially for children, is to turn the old clothing into soft toys. This can really be a creative project for the whole family to work on. Your child can draw out a cute character to make and you can use this drawing as a layout for your amazing new toy. This shouldn’t be too hard, especially since old fabrics come in all shapes and sizes. You can also use thicker fabrics to create things like baby rattles to excite your child as it learns. This is great because not only will it feel soft to the touch, but your scent will also be on the fabric, which is sure to make your child feel comforted. Smaller baby clothes can be repurposed as children’s doll clothes, which is sure to save a fortune and give your child lots of cute things to play with. Some of your older clothes can even be used for dress up options, especially if they look fancy or feature theme. Apart from that, old t-shirts and button downs can be used as smocks to allow kids to let their creative juices flow when it comes to painting and messy crafts.
3. Refurbish Clothes
If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably noticed some outstanding clothes hacks that don’t really take up a lot of time or require talent. These refurbished clothes hacks can help you make a bra, tank top or even a sexy dress in minutes flat. This is why refurbishing clothes is probably one of the best things you can do to clothing you aren’t as fond of anymore. There’s lots of options too, but looking online can give you some amazing ideas worth trying out in your free time. Of course, there’s some pretty simple refurbishing ideas that you may have been doing since childhood. For instance, one of the most popular is taking an old pair of jeans and turning them into a new pair of shorts. This cut off look has been in fashion for decades and can save you quite a bit of money. You can also turn old clothes into scarves, swoop neck tops, or even just a simple short sleeve shirt. The ideas are endless, so channel your inner fashionista and come up with something you’ll be proud to show off.
4. Patches
Kids like to play, which often means your child probably comes home with tears in their jeans and jackets. This doesn’t have to mean you need to go shopping for something new. In fact, it could be the perfect time to give your child’s clothes a little extra fashion boost. If you have old clothes lying around that are too small, ripped up or just not cool anymore then you can turn them into quick patches for your child’s clothes. Fun prints make a great option and will stand out to create a fun look your child’s friends will be envious of. You can also use denim to patch up the holes of jeans, for a less obvious look that will still seem fashion savvy. Patches are great for socks too, especially if you find lots of holes in socks that are even brand new. These patches don’t really have to look as great, but the style is totally in your hands.
5. Infant Supplies
Babies can be pretty expensive when it comes to providing them with everything they need. However, there’s actually a whole lot you can make for your little one when it comes to baby supplies. For starters, you can easily make swaddling blankets out of old clothes. This will be soft on baby’s skin and will offer a subtle scent that is sure to comfort your little one. Burp clothes and wash rags are another option that is sure to leave you saving some big money. You may even be surprised as to how many compliments you’ll get on your cool baby accessories. A sleeping bag for your little one is really easy to make too and is perfect for children who must go to daycare. With some quick sewing skills all you’ll need is a large t-shirt to accomplish this fun project. Last but not least, a pillow is an even easier project to create and is sure to leave your little one feeling comfortable.
6. Artwork
Not many people would think to turn their old clothing into art, but this is quickly becoming a trend that you may want to check out. This is great for anyone who has a graphic tee collection that they don’t want to say goodbye to even though the shirts are passed their prime. Simply take the shirt and cut out the graphic that you want. Then place it in a frame. If you can’t bear to do any cutting on your shirts then simply fold it up with the graphic in the front and place it in the frame that way. You may have to buy thicker frames in this case, but before you know it your home will look astonishing. This is also great for children as you can take some of the character shirts they’ve outgrown and place them on the wall. Another fun art project is to braid old fabrics together. You can use this as a rug or a tapestry to hang on the wall!
7. Handbags
If you can’t go anywhere without a cute bag to lug your supplies around in, then you’re going to love this craft. You can turn just about any article of clothing into a cute bag that is sure to make your friends jealous. You can find all sorts of tutorials online to do this, so you may wind up making a variety of different bags. The best thing about this project is you can make handbags based on the size you need them too. For instance, if you like to lug around lots of junk then a tote may suit you, whereas a small wristlet might work better for occasions when you only want a couple of things. One of the more common crafts associated with clothing is to take the waist portion of a pair of jeans and sew the leg holes shut. This creates a cute look complete with pockets for some of your must have supplies.
8. Rags
Sometimes, you just wind up with clothes that have no hope of being used as anything cute or fashionable. Maybe they are bleached out or too holey for recognition. No matter what the reason, you can still use them for something. That something is typically a rag. Since your clothes can’t be worn any longer they make the perfect cleaning device for just about anything and everything in the home. For instance, you can use an old cut up t-shirt to give the bathroom a nice rub down without having to worry about wasting paper towels. The same can be said for the kitchen or spills throughout the house. If you have clothes that are in really bad shape, then you may consider cutting them up for shoe shining or to help you out with checking your vehicles oil.
9. Sell Them
A lot of people end up with clothes that sit in the closet for years and are rarely ever worn. May it because the item doesn’t fit right or you simply don’t like it, there is a wise option to help you get rid of it without losing out on all of your money. There’s so many online and local consignment shops these days, that it’s incredibly easy to sell of your clothes. Many online shops will actually buy your clothes from you straight away, so you can go straight to enjoying the money you earned from them. However, many consignment shops will simply hold onto your clothes and give you a cut of the money when they finally sell. This can be a long process and may leave you frustrated before it’s all said and done. You can cut out the middle man altogether though by selling the clothes yourself. Sites like eBay are a great option here, or you could go the old fashioned route and have a garage sale.
10. Donate Them
If your clothes are in okay shape, or you simply don’t care if you get money back for them then donation is a great concept. There’s many charities that accept clothing year round. Many of these charities charge very little for the clothing and give what they do earn to the charity they represent. However, some of the clothes are actually given to the needy, which makes a huge different in their lives. You may also want to consider donating to your church or school to help those in your community who may not be having an easy time with their finances. Giving to friends and family is another rewarding idea that will help out those nearest and dearest to you. If you do decide to go with a charity, then you can get a receipt for the items you donated. Later in the year, this can be used as a tax right off, which will give you a bit of money back for the items you bought years ago.
Clothing can be easy to attach to as we experience so many amazing things while wearing our favorite items. However, there comes a time when your clothes simply aren’t what they used to be. Now, you don’t have to simply toss out your clothes when they’ve passed their prime. These tips will help you give them a longer life or ensure someone else gets to enjoy them for a little while too.
