Most Americans have over flowing closets, full of all types of clothing items. Yet, when it comes time to get ready for an event, they are unable to find anything acceptable to wear. They continue to shop for entertainment, storing clothing items recently purchased in the back of the closet. Many people even have multiple clothing items with the tags still on them. These clothing items that sit for many months or years, could actually provide benefit by donating them to a clothing donation center. However, it can be difficult for some people to effectively go through their closets, deciding which items to keep and which to finally get rid of.
A less cluttered closet can actually be relieving. However, getting to that decluttered closet is difficult. It is always a good idea to go through your clothing items at the start of each new season. Americans consume nearly 20 billion garments a year. That is 68 garments and 7 pairs of shoes per person or more than one piece of clothing purchased per week. Most people have too many clothing items in their closet to even wear on a regular basis.
If you notice any clothing items that you did not wear in the previous season, that were appropriate for the weather, it is probably a good idea to donate them. If you did not wear them in the previous season, it is likely that you will not wear them in the next year. When you donate clothes to Red Cross, these clothing items can actually be put to good use to those who need them.
It is also important to go through shoes. If you have multiple shoes for the same purpose, it is best to pick a few of them to keep. The rest can go with the clothing items when you donate clothes to Red Cross. Shoes are one of the most overlooked thing, because people tend to throw their shoes away after they no long have a use for them. However, shoes are needed just as often as American Red Cross clothing donations.
It can also be a good idea to set your hangers up backwards, when hanging up your clothing items. As you wear and replace each item, turn the hanger back to its original placement. In one year, notice which items were never turned around. These items have not been worn in over a year. It is likely that you will not wear them again and they would be great items to donate clothes to Red Cross. You will not even notice these clothing donations, as you have not worn them in a long time.
If you find that you have a lot of clothing items to donate, you can arrange for a clothing donation pickup. This can be a very beneficial way to donate clothes to Red Cross. Most household families will find that they have a lot of items to donate, once they actually make an effort to go through their closets. This is especially true of those households with many children. Children grow out of clothing very fast, and the clothing items often get left in the closet for a long time.
The items that you donate can also be used as a tax deduction. Tax deductible donations of clothing and household items collected by GreenDrop on behalf of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the National Federation of the Blind and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Philadelphia, are sold by charities to thrift stores such as 2nd Avenue and Village Thrift. Your donation to your selected charity is tax deductible for the value of the items you donate.
Most Americans have more clothing items in their closet than they can realistically wear. Actually taking the time to go through your clothing items can free up closet space, provide charitable benefits to organizations like the Red Cross and provide you with tax deductions. These clothing items are used to help those in need, by providing them with needed clothing and with financial assistance in other areas of need.
