Growing up as the fifth child in a family of five kids, hand-me-down clothing made up the majority of my wardrobe. I loved the excitement of digging through a bag of hand-me-downs! With all the new-to-me fits, I would go through my old clothing to create my own bag of hand-me-downs to pass on to the next person. These hand-me-downs came not only from my siblings but also from friends, neighbors, and extended family. There was a network of second-hand clothing being passed between households. When running errands with our mom, we often stopped to drop off our own hand-me-down bags, seeing firsthand the positive impact of our donations.

As a professional organizer, I love seeing this network thriving in many households. It appears in various ways—parents redistributing outgrown clothing, friends passing along household items, and community members sharing supplies. This post focuses on organizing hand-me-down clothing, but these principles apply to any second-hand items. Without an effective organization system, it can be challenging to ensure these items reach their intended destinations promptly.

Here’s a simple guide to make the process of managing hand-me-downs smooth, seamless, and organized:

Step 1: Give or Recycle

Before giving away hand-me-downs, ensure items are in good, gently used condition. Ask yourself if you would wear it or want your child to wear it. If yes, it’s suitable for handing down. If no, due to stains, rips, or wear, consider textile recycling. Many cities in Massachusetts offer textile recycling bins where you can drop off unwanted items.

Step 2: Choose Destinations

Where are these items going? Be specific about who you are saving these hand-me-downs for. If you don't have a time frame or a particular person you are saving the items for, consider donating them now. No need to store extra "stuff" in your home for nothing. If there are a few different destinations based on style of clothing or age group, create a bin for each so that you can sort as you fill them. Once they are filled up, it’s time for a hand-me-down drop off!

Step 3: Sort By Size

For both giving and receiving hand-me-downs, sorting by size is crucial. This organization method simplifies the process and helps you store items efficiently as you decide on their new homes.

Step 4: Where To Store

Since hand-me-downs are not currently in use, they shouldn't occupy prime storage space like drawers. Store them in areas with ample space. Ensure the storage area is visible enough to remember the items.

Ideas for Storage Areas:

• Basement

• Attic

• Garage

• Kids’ bedroom closets

• Guest room closet

• New owner (Ideal option)

Step 5: How To Store 

For optimal storage, use clear plastic bins labeled with the category and size of items. We recommend heavy-duty latch bins to easily view contents and protect against mildew and pests. Label bins or bags for easy identification. Consider compression storage bags for a space-saving solution. These are our favorite watertight bins for storing clothing. If you need a slimmer solution, these compression storage bags will do the trick.

Step 6: Maintenance

Keep an open bin accessible in your closet to toss outgrown clothing in throughout the year. When that bins gets full, it's time to put a lid on it, label and store until it makes it out to it's new owners! Do this in each of your clothing closets to make this processes seamless.

And there you have it. Hand-me-downs are a great way to save money as well as be environmentally conscious, which we wholeheartedly support! We hope our guide will help you easily store your items and that the next person will enjoy your treasures just as much as you. 

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