What I'm doing about my clothes
After reading Overdressed, I decided to go through my own summer wardrobe. I don't tend to own oodles of clothes, but I was still surprised to see how many clothes lurk in my dresser.
I really want to own only clothes that I use (because the right amount of stuff is the amount you can use!) and I knew there were some things in my drawer that I don't regularly use.
So, I decided to employ a method I used when I was trying to figure out how much jewelry I should own. Basically, you put it all out in plain sight and then only put away what you wear.
This method works well for me because I can see everything I own. That way, if I don't wear something, I know it's because I don't like it, not because I can't see it!
I'm just tackling my short-sleeved shirts/tanks right now because I've already cleared out the cold weather shirts that I don't wear.
To begin, I took them all out of the drawers, tried them all on, and separated them into a couple of piles.
This pile is stuff that's in good shape but that I really don't like or that doesn't fit me properly. It's headed to Goodwill.
These two piles here are shirts that aren't wearable but that aren't in good enough shape to be donated. The pile on the right mostly has holes (so, they're going to be rags or bags or something!) and the pile on the left has yellowed armpit problems.
I haven't known what to do about that in the past, but I did some googling and I've found that a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, washing soda, and water works pretty well.
I tried it on a couple of other shirts first, and now I'm out of hydrogen peroxide, so the rest are going to have to wait until I get to the store.
If the hydrogen peroxide trick doesn't work (these stains are pretty set-in!), then those shirts will go into my rag pile too.
So, then I'm left with two smallish piles of things on top of my dresser. The original piles were a little bigger, but by the time I took a photo, I'd worn several shirts and put them into my drawer.
In addition to these shirts, I also own a few neutral-colored cropped summer sweaters. But I know I wear those regularly (I bring them with me when I go into stores/restaurants in the summer because the A/C is always so low in those places!), so I didn't think they needed to live on top of my dresser.
In a few weeks, I'll feel like it's safe to assume that I'm not going to need the shirts that are still left on top of the dresser, and they'll go into the Goodwill bag.
I'm really curious to see how many will be left, and I'll keep you posted!
Goodwill sells clothes with holes by the pound to people who make wiping rags from them. This keeps them out of a landfill and makes extra $$ for Goodwill. Go ahead and donate the ragged ones!
Animal shelters and veterinarian offices are usually thrilled to get discarded items of clothing, towels, sheets, etc!
Does the HO/washing soda mix work on colored shirts? On fabrics other than cotton? Does it change how the shirt looks or feels?
Another way to do the clothing sort is to let geologic stratification do its work: when you do laundry, put the clean clothes on the top of the pile. After a month or two, give away the clothes on the bottom.
The trouble I run into with that method is this: I look at the clothes on the bottom and I'm like, "Ok, did I not wear this because I don't like it? Or did I just forget about it? Maybe it's really awesome!". And then I don't get rid of it.
That is the risk. I have the same problem with foodstuffs. I have a can or box of something that's been in the pantry forever. I decide to use it up and not replace it. Then I eat the resulting product and think "How tasty. I should make it more" and buy another can or box. Lather, rinse, repeat.
My solution was to realize that I can buy another can or box *later.* This doesn't work as well with a t-shirt.
what do you do with jewelry that was given to you as a gift (by hubbie or kids)...nothing expensive. or I have a few pieces that have kids' initials? I don't wear them anymore but feel weird about getting rid of them!
I've never heard about the peroxide/soda/water trick ... can you include a link? This might work WONDERFULLY for some of my shirts.
Thank you!
With light-colored tee shirts, that have underarm stains, I often throw them in the next dye bath along with other items I'm dying. Some of those have become summer pj tops. And the holey ones get cut up into squares and used as disposable rags (instead of paper towels) for really messy clean-ups, like paint brushes, or car grease.
That sounds like a great method; I need to do something similar. Overdressed really made me think about how it *is* harmful to snatch up cheap clothes that will rarely get worn. My big change since reading that book has less to do with editing, and more to do with making sure I'm buying quality in the first place so that I don't perpetuate the cycle. I am amazed, though, for a family like ours that really doesn't do much shopping (other than Goodwill and necessities) how many clothes can accumulate. I feel like I'm constantly weeding through my kids' drawers and closets.
Here is a link to an updated stain recipe I used many years ago, to remove stains from baby/toddler clothes many years after the fact:
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/2012/01/clean-laundry-miracle-stain-remover-make-your-own-detergent-and-dryer-balls.html
I used the recipe in the Tightwad Gazette, which recommended using the hottest water that is safe for your fabric. The solution in the link has Oxi-Clean added to the recipe I used years ago. I believe a friend used the recipe on her husbands tee-shirts, with under arm stains.
This is such a great idea, thanks for sharing! I was already faithfully reading your blog when you posted about organizing your jewelry but it didn't sink in the same way as this did.
I have a similar strategy for weeding out unworn hanging clothes that you might find helpful. (Since this is relatively specific to clothes that go in the dresser) Go through your closet and put all your hangers facing one way. I like to start with them facing the "wrong way", with the hook curved toward me when I'm standing in front of the closet, but whatever you prefer. Then go about your regular routine of wearing clothes and laundering them, but as you put them back on their hangers, hang the hangers facing the opposite way as before. This way, you'll see what clothes you wear often and which ones you don't!
That is exactly what I do with my husband's clothes! After we have switched seasons, I remove all the of hangers that are still reversed from the closet then turn everything else around ready for the next year. I still ask him before donating them because some things are only for special occasions, such as dress shirts, suit pants, sports jerseys, etc.
You know you can cut off the sleeves at an angle to take out the sweat stains. then either bind it off with contrasting fabric or cut binding from the cut off sleeve. It doesn't work if your stains are deep, but it's a nice way to get a little more use out of a shirt.
Right now I'm in the middle of downsizing and changing my clothes. A certain woman who lives with me who may or may not be my wife has informed me that cargo pants are not work appropriate and that I am no longer in college and I need to dress appropriately.
Anyway, this woman who lives with me (again, who may or may not be my wife - further referred to as wwlwmwmomnbmw) and I have gone through my clothes and so far it's been relatively easy as far as weeding out the stained clothing, clothing that is out of style etc.
Unfortunately this left me with one pair of dress pants and one pair of "work around the house" jeans. So we've had to do some shopping for more clothes. I'm having a hard time determining what is the appropriate number of shirts and trousers to have. I now have two pair of business casual work pants and one pair of dress pants. I have two pair of "good" jeans (that aren't ugly "dad jeans") so that should be enough.
I *really* hate buying clothes so I don't see myself going through this again for a while.
For whatever it's worth, in the days when I had to maintain a professional wardrobe, I found that 3 pairs of dress pants seemed to be the magic number--I had khaki, navy, and black, but grey/charcoal would be another neutral choice. When I shop for the man in my home who may or may not be united to me in marriage, I find that trousers are the expensive items and shirts/sweaters can be picked up inexpensively during off-season sales (the same is true for women, as well) and so I would try to keep pants on-hand from which I could get the biggest bang out of my buck. That meant pants which would match just about anything and which hopefully wouldn't show the dirt. My guess for you would be 7-10 shirts (so it doesn't look like "it must be Tuesday because Battra is wearing his white shirt and khaki pants ... again ... ".
To everyone who submitted stain removal ideas--thanks!
Please share your "armpit stain solution" recipe! Thanks in advance!
I had the same armpit stain problem. One day I noticed my washing machine had stain cleaning suggestions printed on the inside and decided to try the one for armpit stains. It worked and was really easy. You just make a paste of color safe bleach (I happened to have oxyclean on hand) and ammonia. Spread it onto the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes and then wash regularly. It works great! I've had a couple of shirts I had to do twice, but usually the first time through takes out the stain. I've used it on cotton and synthetic fabrics and haven't had a problem with any of them so far. I have also done light colored shirts- like yellow and pink- without any noticeable change in the fabric color. Good luck!
I always go thru all my clothing & my kids clothing every spring. What I do not want either goes into a free box during my garage sale @ our annual townwide sale, the rest I sell at the garage sale & what's left over after the sale I donate. It's a good way to help charity & make some money on the side.
For armpit stains, I've had great luck with a Mexican laundry bar soap called "Zote." I live in the "little Mexico" section of town so it's pretty easy to find here, but if you can't find it you might try the section of town where the immigrants live. Anyhow, it comes in enormous pink bars and it's the best thing I've found for getting out sweat stains.
I go through my clothes twice a year (usually during the season change). I only buy stuff that goes with what I already have. My husband keeps telling me I need new clothes because I tend to wear the same things, but I like practical since I stay home with two boys. Wearing fancy clothes makes it hard to let them make a mess for fear of ME getting dirty. I only buy enough clothes for the boys to get through about a week and a half before I HAVE to do laundry. If their clothes can't fit in their drawers, they have TOO much 🙂
Ladies, I have found the best antidote for perspiration stains is
To prevent them in the first place. My favorite
Antiperspirants are Secret clinical protection,
Dove clinical protection and Suave clinical protection.
I have only recently noticed Suave brand which is
The least expensive of the three.
WilliamB: I love the "geological stratification" theory!
People insist on allowing Unions to demand luxurious pay and benefits and then they are outraged that companies have closed down in America, or have been outsourced. It is called killing the golden goose. Our entire nation has been destroyed by Union greed. I no longer worry about where anything is made, as I shop in the thrift stores quite happily.
OMGosh I *LOVE* this. I'm in the same boat and I'm going to start your method today of finding out exactly what's worn so I can eliminate the rest. I don't collect oodles of clothes either but I definitely think I need to cull down to just what I'm wearing. Off to my closet - thanks for the inspiration!
~Taylor-Made Ranch~
Wolfe City, Texas
I don't know if this is the same recipe you use.... but this is the recipe I use for Yellow armpit stains and almost any other stain as well! It's AWESOME and works on both whites and colours.
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2011/11/goodbye-to-yellow-armpit-stains.html
Yay for having only what you use! We have a hanger rule in our house... if you don't have a hanger for it you need to give something away. (of course that doesn't work for the folded stuff, but it's definitely a good start... and saves us from having to buy more hangers!)
I'm the same way with the hangers. If we run out, I know something needs to go!
no one has any suggestions for my jewelry question? ack!
Stephanie - Try using necklace charms as decorations on picture frames (you can buy plain ones at Dollar Tree) with pictures of the one who made it for you. Rings - Glue to the base of a lamp shade for decoration? Bracelets - link all together with the clasps and make a necklace or can also use to decorate picture frames or lamp shade. Not to make your whole house look like "Crazy Aunt Edna" decorated it, just trying to think of helpful ideas. You can also hot glue the charms/beads/stones to circle shaped magnets from the dollar store and you now have pretty, original, memory inspiring magnets!
I just have one suggestion for giving things away.... Look to see if you have a Salvation Army instead of Goodwill in your area. I wish I had the statistics info handy on these charities. It's really enlightening as to what the CEOs make, etc. I used to love Goodwill, but now all of my donations go to Salvation Army, the YWCA or a local shelter.
Love your blog!
What's weird is that there are way more Goodwills around here than Salvation Armys. I wonder if that varies by region.