Guide

New Year’s clean out: 5 ideas for decluttering your clothes

3.1.2024

Translation: Elicia Payne

New year, new you? If you’re facing a huge pile of clothes that don’t belong in your 2024 wardrobe, read on. I’ve got 5 suggestions for you which are better than throwing them in the nearest old clothes container.

We go to the gym, we stop drinking alcohol and we want to give up smoking for real this time. We’re rarely as motivated as we are in January, the good intentions come thick and fast. We leave our old – apparently pathetic – self behind in last year and are now upgrading. Our wardrobe usually has great potential for this. Full of zest for action, we muck out. That can go! And that. That too. Then, when we sit back after the «decluttering» frenzy, and are suddenly faced with a great pile of clothes. Which then leads us on to the question: now what?

1. Sell – for example with us

Did you know that you can easily resell items that you’ve bought from us? Click on «Sell products» in the menu in the bottom left under «Go to». A list of your purchased products you can market will appear. Click on «Sell» for the product of your choice and create the offer with condition, description, photos and price on the screen. All you then have to do is click on «Publish».
In the event of a purchase, Galaxus will process the payment for you, and customer service is available to answer any questions you may have.

Alternatively, there are of course various other platforms where you have unlimited opportunities to sell on what you have discarded. For example this one.

2. Recycle and repurpose

Make-up removal pad, scrunchie, yarn, towel. The foundation for all these everyday objects lies dormant in your mountain of clothes. You just need to know how to repurpose them properly. I’ve explained how in detail for you here:

Guide
Ideas to turn those worn-out fabrics into something new
by Laura Scholz

3. Swap with friends

Want to bet that you’re not the only one sitting helplessly in front of said pile of clothes? I’m sure your pals have also been busy mucking out. Why not organise some drinks one evening (which can of course be alcohol-free in the spirit of Dry January) and swap old pieces for new favourites? Who knows, maybe you’ll finally pick up that one piece you’ve been after for ages ...

4. Simply spruce it up

Have a good think: do you really need to banish the discarded items straightaway or is a professional makeover enough? A visit to your trusted tailor could be just the trick. Apart from minor cosmetic repairs, such as plugging holes or sewing over ripped hems, you can, for example, have standard off-the-peg clothing tailored to your body and customised to your wishes. Or, you can have the summer dress you can’t bare looking at anymore turned into a skirt and top. Turn your boring midi into a brand new mini skirt! The possibilities are there, you just have to ask for them.

5. Donate sensibly

If points 1 to 4 are simply out of the question for you, donating is of course still a legitimate option. Instead of shuffling to the nearest old clothes container, which is just the starting point of a long, not always transparent and fair odyssey for your clothes, consider alternatives. For example this one:

Donation depot Zurich

Founded in 2016, the company welcomes donations of clothing and goods for refugees inside and outside Switzerland. You can view their current list of needs on Facebook so you can support them in the most helpful way.

Winterhilfe

Since 1936, Winterhilfe has made it its mission to support Swiss people affected by poverty with donations of clothing, goods and money.

If you’re just starting to muck out, ...

.. I highly recommend my interview with professional organisation coach Dagmar Schäfer. She told me how to declutter my life with a system – and how to stay free of bad purchases in the future.

Guide
Sorting things out with a professional organiser
by Laura Scholz

Header image: Ron Lach via Pexels

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Laura Scholz

Senior Editor

Laura.Scholz@digitecgalaxus.ch

Always in the mood for good hits, great trips and clinking drinks.

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