The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

How to Spring Clean Your Closet Based On What You Own

5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Closet Based On What's In It

Spring is almost here, which means it's time to start cleaning out your closet to make room for new pieces! The question is: Where to begin? Sure, you could list your unwanted fashions on eBay or Threadflip, but who has the time? Instead, consider my quick and easy approach based on what you want to get rid of - is it fast-fashion pieces that slant young and trendy? Luxury items you never use? Keep reading for 5 quick and easy spring-cleaning tips that will help you get the most cash out of your closet based on what's in it.
If you're trying to get rid of...

1. Cheap fashion brands like Forever 21, Old Navy, American Eagle Outfitters, H&M, Target or Kohl's: Toss these in a bag and take them to Plato's Closet, which pays cash for on-trend, gently used items from the past couple seasons. They also accept jewelry, accessories, handbags and shoes. Oh, and guy's clothes, too! I've gone twice in recent months and earned around $80 the first time, and $30 the second trip for between one and two large tote bags full of clothes (don't bring stuff in garbage/plastic bags - you have to use another container. I think they don't want it to look like people are bringing in their "trash"). Plato's Closet offers a convenient way to make a few bucks from clothes I would otherwise just donate.

2. Designer labels from Banana Republic to Tory Burch: Request a prepaid envelope and ship these off to Twice (www.liketwice.com) - they'll pay you up front, then photograph and list the items for you. You can either get cash or store credit (I think they give you something like 15% more if you opt for store credit). I used this service once and made over $180 by sending in designer hand-me-downs that my sister in law gave me from a family friend. I send in a DVF tunic, Chloe blouse, Banana Republic trench, J.Crew pants, among other things, in sizes and styles that didn't work for me. So easy and convenient! The only downside is that I usually don't buy designer labels, so I can't use this service that often.

3. Really fancy designer labels like March Jacobs, Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton: TheRealReal.com is your spot to resell luxury goods collecting dust in your closet. This online luxury consignment shop does all the work for you and you get a cut from the sale - up to 70%. Admittedly I've never used this site, personally, because I have nothing to consign but it's the site my cool fashion blogger friends use and recommend time and time again.

4. A small shopping bag worth of garments in any condition: Don't forget that H&M will give you a coupon good for 15% off one item of your choice when you bring in a bag of clothes for the garment recycling program. If you're heading there to shop anyways, it's a good incentive to clean out a few items from your closet quickly and know that they will be turned into useful stuff (like insulation or new textiles, to name a few).

5. Everything else: Outdated styles, stuff with holes or tears and everything else that's not worth listing on ebay, Threadflip or Poshmark should go to your local charity, like The Salvation Army or Goodwill. And here's why: The store will determine what can be sold, and everything else will be resold and/or recycled, generating income for the organization, so at least it's not ending up in a landfill (at least not right away!).
Comments
This is amazing - I needed this post so badly. I've been hanging on to so many clothes just because I didn't want to take the time to list them on eBay, but this was such a helpful resource to figure out what to do! Thank you SO much.
#1 Laura (Homepage) on 2014-03-14 10:47 (Reply)
I actually have a pretty coach bag that I've never used that still has the tags and I was just thinking about selling that sucker! I will have to check out #2!
#2 Amanda on 2014-03-14 11:18 (Reply)
Goodwill will give you a receipt every time you donate, and you can take donation deductions at tax time!
#3 Patti on 2014-03-14 12:52 (Reply)
Thank you for mentioning this!
#3.1 The Budget Babe on 2014-03-15 20:39 (Reply)
I've already been to Plato's closet twice so far to sell some clothes. Also another shop I have sold to is Clothes Mentor. They take more professional type clothing.
#4 Tracie on 2014-03-14 13:59 (Reply)
Great ideas!

I also talk about cleaning closets on my blog
http://stylishzebra.blogspot.com/

Also check out my other blog about runway looks
http://fshnbk.blogspot.com/
#5 Victoria (Homepage) on 2014-03-14 14:14 (Reply)
I am cleaning everything out on Sunday! Perfect timing for this post :-)
#6 Sarah (Homepage) on 2014-03-14 21:38 (Reply)
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