How long do you wear a piece of clothing before donating it?

[Anonymous]

I have a few shirts that I've had over a year with moderate use. No holes but a little fading otherwise in good condition. I have cramped space though.

[Anonymous]

8-10 years unless it's worn through or looks awful. Like, I had one shirt for 5 or 6 years, and then one day I noticed it had gotten see-through from being washed so many times.

[Anonymous]

Some old favorites I've had for decades. Other pieces never worked for me and they go after a season. Or if they are cheap, after one wearing.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes never. I like the idea of giving people in need new things. Not just things that have been used. But as long as it is in good condition, I donate it. There are some things donation centers won’t take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a few shirts that I've had over a year with moderate use. No holes but a little fading otherwise in good condition. I have cramped space though.

Fading will made it fair condition, they will probably take it op

No tears, staining, holes, modifications, damage (broken zippers, missing buttons, etc)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes never. I like the idea of giving people in need new things. Not just things that have been used. But as long as it is in good condition, I donate it. There are some things donation centers won’t take.

Please tell me you are not donating these new items to Goodwill or Salvation Army but to a very specific local organization. The vast majority of donated clothing just ends up in the landfill.

It is a myth that there are people out there in the 21st century in need of clothing (though there are groups in need of specific clothing, like professional wear, coats for kids etc, but the issue there is matching the people in need with the clothing that exists, not obtaining the clothing in the first place). The world is saturated with clothing. Even markets in the poorest parts of Africa that used to readily accept shiploads from Goodwill are now refusing because it is overflowing their trash piles. Clothing production damages the environment (most is made of plastic these days) and is totally unsustainable.

The best thing you can do, by far, is buy only what you need, buy higher quality (ie, natural fibers), wear your clothing for as long as possible, and donate to a local organization what you no longer use (they do a better job at matching specific needs than huge places like Goodwill).

[Anonymous]

OVER A YEAR!!!

Kinda trashy and low class!

[Anonymous]

I’ve donated clothes with the tags still on before.

If there are holes or too ragged I trash vs donate.

My kids outgrow clothes quickly and they only wear their dress clothes a few times a year so those are like new when donated.

I have donated winter coats from LL Bean and Lands End that my nephews and my kids all wore, but they were still in great shape.

We had some almost brand new indoor soccer shoes in the latest donation pick up because they play indoor in the winter and by the following year they don’t fit. They are like new too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8-10 years unless it's worn through or looks awful. Like, I had one shirt for 5 or 6 years, and then one day I noticed it had gotten see-through from being washed so many times.

Hope you threw out the see through shirt!

[Anonymous]

We are thrifty with clothes, so we choose wisely and then wear them until they go into the fabric bin.
I have generous friends who give DD clothes outgrown by their daughters, and when they are not to her liking, we donate them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OVER A YEAR!!!

Kinda trashy and low class!

np please explain yourself. What do you mean by yelling "Over a year" and kinda trashy and low class. What are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OVER A YEAR!!!

Kinda trashy and low class!

np please explain yourself. What do you mean by yelling "Over a year" and kinda trashy and low class. What are you talking about?

I hope she means that over a year is not long enough to wear a valued and high quality piece of clothing.
Unfortunately, I fear she means the opposite. Must be the kind to follow trends blindly and not buy the right quality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes never. I like the idea of giving people in need new things. Not just things that have been used. But as long as it is in good condition, I donate it. There are some things donation centers won’t take.

Please tell me you are not donating these new items to Goodwill or Salvation Army but to a very specific local organization. The vast majority of donated clothing just ends up in the landfill.

It is a myth that there are people out there in the 21st century in need of clothing (though there are groups in need of specific clothing, like professional wear, coats for kids etc, but the issue there is matching the people in need with the clothing that exists, not obtaining the clothing in the first place). The world is saturated with clothing. Even markets in the poorest parts of Africa that used to readily accept shiploads from Goodwill are now refusing because it is overflowing their trash piles. Clothing production damages the environment (most is made of plastic these days) and is totally unsustainable.

The best thing you can do, by far, is buy only what you need, buy higher quality (ie, natural fibers), wear your clothing for as long as possible, and donate to a local organization what you no longer use (they do a better job at matching specific needs than huge places like Goodwill).

Pp. I don’t mind goodwill or sa reselling items to help Puerto Rico victims in disaster areas, etc. it’s not a business, but it can’t non-profit doesn’t mean no-money. There are operational, staff, vocational rehabilitative costs. Etc.


That said, yes I donate there, Salvation Army, Vietnam veterans of America, SOME, my home church, local organizations, shelters, causes. I enjoy giving when I can and don’t discriminate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes never. I like the idea of giving people in need new things. Not just things that have been used. But as long as it is in good condition, I donate it. There are some things donation centers won’t take.

Please tell me you are not donating these new items to Goodwill or Salvation Army but to a very specific local organization. The vast majority of donated clothing just ends up in the landfill.

It is a myth that there are people out there in the 21st century in need of clothing (though there are groups in need of specific clothing, like professional wear, coats for kids etc, but the issue there is matching the people in need with the clothing that exists, not obtaining the clothing in the first place). The world is saturated with clothing. Even markets in the poorest parts of Africa that used to readily accept shiploads from Goodwill are now refusing because it is overflowing their trash piles. Clothing production damages the environment (most is made of plastic these days) and is totally unsustainable.

The best thing you can do, by far, is buy only what you need, buy higher quality (ie, natural fibers), wear your clothing for as long as possible, and donate to a local organization what you no longer use (they do a better job at matching specific needs than huge places like Goodwill).

Pp. I don’t mind goodwill or sa reselling items to help Puerto Rico victims in disaster areas, etc. it’s not a business, but it can’t non-profit doesn’t mean no-money. There are operational, staff, vocational rehabilitative costs. Etc.


That said, yes I donate there, Salvation Army, Vietnam veterans of America, SOME, my home church, local organizations, shelters, causes. I enjoy giving when I can and don’t discriminate.

Actually, it would be a good idea to do some discrimination about donating thoughtfully. https://scienceline.org/2018/06/the-troubled-second-life-of-donated-clothes/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OVER A YEAR!!!

Kinda trashy and low class!

np please explain yourself. What do you mean by yelling "Over a year" and kinda trashy and low class. What are you talking about?

I hope she means that over a year is not long enough to wear a valued and high quality piece of clothing.
Unfortunately, I fear she means the opposite. Must be the kind to follow trends blindly and not buy the right quality.

Funny. I thought it was sarcasm.

Like poking fun at the posters who say they’re middle class on a 400K HHI.