What To Do With Used Baby Clothes: 7 Really Useful Tips
Wondering what to do with used baby clothes?
Babies grow out of their clothes and we end up with a lot of clothes that they can’t fit anymore. I’d recommend not throwing it away and instead, finding ways to reuse it.
I’ve tried many different ways so in this article, I’ve got 7 impactful ways to repurpose baby clothes in this article!
What To Do With Used Baby Clothes
- Donate Outfits To New Parents
- Donate Baby Clothes To Thrift Stores
- Recycle Old Baby Clothes
- Sell Baby Clothes Online on Online Marketplaces
- Sell Baby Clothes at Garage Sales
- Returning Clothes to Manufacturers
- Repurpose Old Baby Clothes
1. Donate Outfits To New Parents
If you have old baby clothes that your little one has outgrown, consider donating them to new parents who may benefit from them. This is especially a nice gesture for any parents who struggle to afford all the necessary items for their babies.
Ask around in your community to see if any families are in need of baby clothes. Look for our local parenting or mommy groups. I find a ton of them on Facebook.
Before donating, make sure the clothes are clean, in good condition, and free from stains or marks.
2. Donate Baby Clothes To Thrift Stores
If you’ve asked your local community and no one needs it, consider donating it to thrift stores! Thrift stores are great places to donate baby clothes as they often sell them at affordable prices, so families in need can purchase them at a reduced cost.
I’d say this is the fastest way to declutter your own space because you can bring it to pretty much any thrift store right away. Just make sure to wash and organize the clothes before donating them.
If you’re in the USA, some common thrift stores you might have in your local community are:
3. Recycle Old Baby Clothes
If you have no thrift stores in your area or the condition of your baby’s clothes is not great, it’s a good option to recycle them.
Some clothing brands have recycling programs. These include:
- Carter’s: Carter’s partners up with Terracycle to accept baby and kids’ clothing from all brands. They’ll give you a prepaid shipping label and all you need to do is package your used clothes in a box and ship it.
- Planet Aid: To recycle with Planet Aid, you’ll need to package your baby clothes in a bag and drop them off in their yellow bins. They have drop-off locations across the country.
- H&M: H&M takes any brand of clothing and recycles it for you. And for each bag you bring in, you get 15% off your next H&M purchase.
4. Sell Baby Clothes Online on Online Marketplaces
If you’re looking to clear out your old baby clothes and make some extra cash, selling them online on popular marketplaces is a great option. Platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Poshmark give you a convenient way to connect with potential buyers.
To get started, gather all the baby clothes you want to sell and thoroughly clean and organize them. Make sure to take high-quality photos showcasing each item and include detailed descriptions, such as the size, brand, and condition.
When listing the items, consider including keywords that potential buyers might search for. This will increase the chances of your listings being seen by a larger audience. Some keywords for baby clothes can be “14-month-old onesie” or “blue shirt for 2 year old”.
5. Sell Baby Clothes at Garage Sales
Selling online can be a hassle sometimes because you need to package it and ship it. If you want a more hassle-free way, do a garage sale!
All you need to do is to gather your baby clothes outside your house. Make sure to advertise your garage sale by posting signs in your neighborhood where there is high traffic.
Jasmine’s Pro Tip: When selling my items, I found that sharing stories about the clothes really helps it sell! Also, be open to negotiating prices.
6. Returning Clothes to Manufacturers
When it comes to old baby clothes, one option you have is to return them to the manufacturers. Many baby clothing brands offer returns or exchange policies.
Target allows a 1-year return period for Cat & Jack kids’ clothes.
I recommend not abusing these return policies but rather using them if you truly did not use the clothing or genuinely did not like it.
7. Repurpose Old Baby Clothes
Repurposing old baby clothes is a great idea to give it a second life. Here are some fun DIY projects:
- Transform into sentimental keepsakes. You can cut out specific patterns or designs from the clothes and create a patchwork quilt or blanket that holds special memories.
- Frame your favorite baby clothes: Create unique wall art for your child’s room.
- Turn a onesie into a shirt: Why waste your onesie that is in perfect condition? Follow this tutorial to turn a onesie into a shirt.
- Turn baby clothes into stuffed animals. This DIY project will take some time but totally worth it. Just cut your clothes into the shape of a stuffed animal, sew it, and stuff it with your choice of fluff.
- Turn into baby burp cloths: Cut a piece of your old baby clothes and use it as a burp cloth!
- Turn baby clothes into small tote bags: Sew pieces of your baby clothing together to make a small tote bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can baby clothes be recycled?
Baby clothes can definitely be recycled! Recycling programs that accept baby clothes are Carter’s in partnership with Terracycle and H&M.
Do parents keep baby clothes?
Some parents like to keep baby clothes to save the memories. But keeping every piece of baby clothing can take up lots of space so I know many people like to either donate them or recycle them.
Final Thoughts On What To Do With Old Baby Clothes
Since over 85% of textiles go into the landfill, it’s even more important to find the most eco-friendly ways to dispose of baby clothes. I hope this list helped spark ideas for what to do with used baby clothes!
More Related Posts:
- What To Do With Old Coffee Beans
- What To Do With Dried Lavender
- What To Do With Old Socks
- What To Do With Old Wax Melts
- What To Do With Old Tea Leaves
- What To Do With Old Underwear
- The Best Eco Friendly Crossbody Bags
Pin it!
