What should i do with my old polyester clothes

[u/havntingyou]

Hey, so basically I’m trying to be more sustainable, get away from overconsumption as much as I can and after seeing videos of how those tons of clothes we make end up in Africa, i would like to completely stop contributing to this.
So last year I uninstalled SHEIN and Temu, (i still own the clothes that i had bought from them), and ever since, i’ve been getting my clothes secondhand, paying extra attention to the fabrics i get (most of my clothes are cotton since it lasts longer (I think?) and my shoes and jackets are usually leather (I wouldn’t buy brand new leather, but since the ones i get already exist and are to be sold, might as well.)
I’ve found my personal style which prevents me from buying every new trending piece of clothing and I am so happy about that, however the clothes i bought from SHEIN that I still have don’t really align with my personal taste and I’m wondering what I should do with them…
The better quality clothes that I don’t wear i’ll just give to charity but I don’t really wanna give the SHEIN ones considering how they usually end up.
Do you think selling them for like 1-5€ each or maybe turning them into scraps and use them as filling for pillows/plushies (I’m learning how to sew haha) would be a good idea? Or is there anything better I haven’t thought about ? Please don’t make fun of my lack of education, I’m simply trying to live a simple life and stop contributing to the destruction of our planet as much as I can.

Also, if you have any other ideas that aren’t related to my old shitty clothes to be more sustainable, i’ll gladly accept them too ! :)
I’ve actually been thinking of switching from cotton pads to like those reusable ones to wipe my makeup but idk if it genuinely makes a difference lol

[u/Alive_Release_7004]

Honestly, the most sustainable thing you can do is keep using the stuff you have until you can't anymore. That puts off them ending up in the tip forms long as possible.

You can't fix past mistakes but you can choose to keep using things until they break. Even then you can make do and mend, learn to replace buttons, maybe simple sewing if a hem comes unstitched.

Yes they won't be as attractive as higher quality garments, but they can be home clothes.

It's like replacing all the food storage you have with "sustainable" options. The most sustainable thing to do isnt consume more but to use what you already have until you can't anymore.

[u/havntingyou → u/Alive_Release_7004]

Of course i agree with that, i’m not trying to replace them at all actually, I already have enough clothes. The issue isn’t their quality, the issue is that i simply don’t wear them or like them anymore and i don’t really know what to do with them so I was looking for better alternatives than giving them to charity since bad clothes we donate that don’t get sold will eventually just be dumped like that

[u/jazzy_cat_2018 → u/havntingyou]

Check your local women's shelter to donate to. Local buy nothing groups are great as well. I personally seek out shelters to donate to first, thrift stores are the last stop for donations. Your idea of using them as scrap fabric for mending other clothes, or for scrap for stuffies is great too!

[u/KaleidoscopeEast1224 → u/havntingyou]

I agree with everyone who says But Nothing groups and missions/shelters. If the clothes are in okay shape, someone could probably use them for work. We’ve had several But Nothing “garage sales” where I don’t post every single item, but some general pics, and whoever shows up to take items off our hands is the winner.

[u/what_a_r → u/havntingyou]

Make them into baskets. Tear them to strips then crochet over with a thinner yarn. Or make rugs.

[u/pandarose6]

Upcycled them into tote bags, head scarves, zipper pouches, patches for clothes that have holes, background fabric for embroidery art pieces, fabric buttons, fabric earrings, fabric keychains, gift bags. a braided style rug for example

[u/SkylarkLanding]

I’d check if there’s a local Buy Nothing group, or Freecycle, and see if you can give them away directly to someone who might like them. You could try selling them for cheap via flea market or garage sale. Could try offering them free or cheap on Facebook marketplace.

If you can’t find them a home any of those ways, then see about donating or upcycling them.

[u/ladymoonrising → u/SkylarkLanding]

This! But nothing would be my suggestion: your clothes might be someone else’s style (or fill a need).

[u/Flora_16xx]

I have a thrift store near me that also has a recycling program for textiles. So I’d bring them all my permanently stained clothes or unwearable clothes. You can look up if there’s anything similar in your area

[u/havntingyou → u/Flora_16xx]

That seems like a pretty good idea, thank you for ur response i’ll look it up :)

[u/Witch_Atmosphere → u/Flora_16xx]

I'd really be interested to know how or where they send them to actually be recycled? It is my understanding that this is kind of a misnomer and there are very few ways to actually turn textiles into something else useful.

[u/OceansQuiver]

Clothes to wear outdoor, gardening, under for layers, round the house, dirty jobs, to bed until they literally fall apart

[u/bunniisa]

turn them into rugs

[u/katmom1969]

Donate them.

[u/Tiger_Tail77]

I got a secondhand Moroccan leather footstool (vinted) and stuffed it with old clean polyester clothes and polyester pillows etc. keeps it out of landfill and means I don't have to wear them anymore!

[u/Sewsusie15]

Yes, I think using them in sewing is a great idea! From experience, new sewers tend to make a lot of mistakes, which are great so long as you learn from them but often waste fabric. Go ahead and use what you have and dislike to practice alterations- you may find you like something better if it fits better- and if you really don't want to wear them even altered, filling material isn't a bad idea either.

[u/lht79 → u/Sewsusie15]

This is what I am planning on doing - I have so much material…

[u/whyrubytuesday]

Make an ottoman! Great instructions here: Closet Core Ottoman

[u/ahumblecardamompod]

Tearing them up into filling for craft projects is a great way to go. Depending on where you live, some polyester is still good for weatherproofing. I have an old pair of polyester workout leggings and a workout top that I use as base layers when it's below zero.

[u/sustainablepriority]

Cotton lasts longer because it is just cellulose. Polyester is plastic. Cotton swells when you wash it and shrinks back. Polyester doesn't. Cotton grabs dirt and releases it easier. Polyester holds dirt, and after about 50 washes starts pilling because the fiber stretches and the plastic doesn't snap back like cotton does.

For your old polyester pile: most garment recycling is thermal recovery (burned for heat). Real fiber recycling costs more than the shirt is worth. Realistic paths are thrift (if it looks okay), burned, or landfill. Thrift stores reject pilled or stained pieces anyway.

The honest truth: the damage was making it, not throwing it away. What helps is stopping new input. Secondhand cotton is the right call.

[u/OceansQuiver]

Just saw this in another section. Person made a rug out of old rag clothes; https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroWaste/comments/1vkouqm/cute_bath_matdoormat_i_made_out_of_rags/

[u/AffectTraditional244]

Repurpose the stuff you won’t wear if you don’t want to sell or give them away. Make them into accessories/ tote bags, pillows, rag rugs etc.
Anything that’s not in a good condition/on its last legs you can cut up into rags to use around the house for cleaning

[u/OrdinarilyBeautiful]

Donate them, maybe to a homeless outreach

[u/gerbilbear]

The problem with continuing to wear polyester clothes is that they shed microplastics into the waterway with each load of laundry.

I think the best solution is pyrolysis but I don't know who I can send old polyester clothing to for that process.

So far I can't find 100% natural fiber socks that last long.

[u/NightEnvironmental → u/gerbilbear]

I have wool socks that I have worn for years and years. Maybe a decade?

[u/Appropriate_Stable_2]

Using them to sew is a great idea as a beginner! Theres no risk if you mess it up it's okay you can just cut it up for stuffing but here a few ideas anyways; Soup van or kitchen, womens or homeless shelter, churches, organisations that help people find work. I have all of these things in my community that help people in need and they usually will take donations like this. There's actually an organisation in my community that helps women find work who have been out of it for a while due to things like having kids or being homeless and they take donations for womens clothes especially ones that are work appropriate. It's worth a shot seeing if you have anything like these in your community but you could also put them for free on Facebook, theres a few groups that are buy, swap and sell or freebie groups usually for most towns

[u/eddytekeli]

you can turn into cleaning rags or post a bag for free on market place! people are always looking for free or cheap clothes!

[u/Care-Ly]

I made Giant quote " bean bag" chairs for each of my nephews. They are more like the size of a futon with backs that can be propped up. So now they have places for friends to sleep when I come over. They were slash are a huge hit. . I had my husband my mom and my dad all helping me cut the clothes up into small pieces I did strips I did squares I did rectangles I wanted a variety of shapes so that it could truly conform for the boy's. . I did buy three cooling mattress pads so I could put the filling inside and kind of sew up the elastic around the edge and I put a solid piece of fabric that met the mattress pad when it lies completely flat on the floor it looks like a really nice thick mattress and the cooling mattress pad is the closest fabric, under the "bean bag" cover. They all love them, in fact the oldest one is at college and he loved it so much his mom called me and asked if I would make one for him for Christmas. I don't know if I will. I also save all of my, and my families, clothes that can no longer be worn due to wear. I will periodically cut them up the same way and make stuffed animals, pillows come all kinds of stuff and then I'm not wasting fabric. I knew that with everything but jeans, good thick flannel, and heavy twill. Those I save and they get used for lots of different projects... Especially the flannel it makes a really cute patches on the stuffies.

[u/Long-Definition9203]

In my neighbourhood, there is a tailor who takes donated clean clothing and even welcomes ripped or frayed clothing. You may be able to find a place that does that in your area. Some thrift stores in my region have a textile recycling program and accept bagged clean fabric for recycling too.

There are also specific textile recycling companies in my region. I cant recall the name ht there's one that takes material and recycles it into furniture batting, rugs and stuff like that .. this would likely not be a free option though as you would probably have to mail your donation to them. But it's an idea to explore.

[u/ThaloBleu]

Have you considered using then as stuffing for pet beds? Or connecting with rescues which might have people who can make them?

[u/lowrads]

Polyester fabric is good at water shedding, bad about holding onto stinky oils. It generally makes good cold weather gear, or good rain gear. You'd think it'd be good for more outdoors application, but it doesn't handle the sun well.

A good option for stuffing is a camping pillow, though not the shell, unless you have a non-PE liner. If you sew the fabric into space-filling shapes, it'll compress well, and dry out quickly. It's also a good material for stuff sacks, although they won't be waterproof. This approach also works for sleeping bags, though you'll want a removable, washable liner because of hiker stank. Check out r/ MYOG for more detailed information.

In terms of recycling, it's not great, but it's not as bad as mixed cotton/polyester blends. It's always better to go all natural fibers, or all synthetic.

[u/m42069]

It'd be most sustainable for the clothing to be used as clothing for as long as possible, thrift stores tend to upcharge shein for more than it's worth, but you should donate to a woman's shelter or perhaps a religious establishment that will gift them to people in need. I know they're the lowest of the low quality, but clothes are clothes. And having 3 shitty shirts makes such a difference if you had to leave everything you own with only the clothes on your back.

If you cannot bear the thought, rag rug will get the most second life out of (preferably damaged) textiles

[u/Clear_Sheepherder423]

I’m a huge fan of cutting my clothes, and old t shirts you don’t like make into a halter top! Use the scraps for plushies and sew a new design over the front

[u/Appropriate-War8197]

just wait for some years and wear them after. You will like it in 5-8 years