Attention Organized Moms

Updated on January 20, 2009
C.L. asks from San Antonio, TX
23 answers

Hi Moms! My New Year's Resolution is to get my whole life more organized and I've just recently become a FlyBaby. I'm in the process of decluttering my closets and cabinets and my question is, what do you guys do with clothes that have stains? Most of my clothes are quite nice, but it seems like I have a particular talent for getting food stains on my shirts. I won't wear them any more and I'm not sure about where to donate since most places say they only want gently used items. I also was wondering if there was a place to donate bath products? I have way more then I need and don't want them to go to waste. Thanks for your help!

3 moms found this helpful

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C.S.

answers from Houston on

Hi C.,

You can list them for free on Criagslist.org. If you log on and post them in the free section, someone will come and pick them up. They'll usually pick up anything. Good Luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Austin on

You can donate the bath products to homeless shelters, Ronald McDonald house (if unopened).

I would also use Freecycle. There are a lot of folks out there who will take stained clothes and get the stain out to use them again.

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M.H.

answers from Houston on

I dont know what a Flybaby is, but I can tell you that I am the most organized person in the county. There is one thing you are going to have to master....throwing things away. I understand people wanting to donate, recycle, etc,etc. In my opinion, noone wants your stained up clothing. Womens shelters and the like get plenty of good, un-stained clothes. Alot of clothes can be torn into rags for cleaning, dusting, but for the most part, throw them away. Also, the only bath products you can donate are un-opened ones. If you really dont want the bulk of your stuff, ask a friend that knows you if they want it...if the answer is no, throw it away!!!Again, even a woman at a shelter doesnt want your half a used bottle of shampoo. I fully realize the world that we live in and needing to recycle...but you are allowed to still toss some stuff....

Happy organizing!!!

Margaret :)

2 moms found this helpful
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S.J.

answers from San Angelo on

You can de-clutter and turn your kids stuff into cash. I have been doing this for 5 years with my kiddos things. JBF is your answer! There are 80 franchises around the US. Go to www.jbfsale.com and find one near you! I have made between $200-$600 every sale with just 2 kids!

www.jbfsale.com

S.

2 moms found this helpful
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P.N.

answers from Corpus Christi on

Hi C.! I am NOT an organized Mom by any means, however I go through my families' (5) clothing often. What I do is if it is a little stained, or worn, I donate to a woman's shelter, most times it is for women and children only who are there for many different reasons. A lot of them left in a hurry and do not have the things they need for themselves or their children. Therefore the things that come to them really help, and really get used. They also will take bath products and perfume. Imagine how good they feel to use a little perfume to make them feel like a special woman. Good luck with your new goal! :)

1 mom found this helpful
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N.H.

answers from Houston on

C.,
One good place to try is Freecycle.com. People give away all kinds of things. Anything except live animals or anything illegal or not appropriate for all ages. This a yahoo group so you can go to yahoogroups.com and register for your city.
Hope this helps!
N.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Austin on

I use old shirts to wrap the pipes and some of my plants when expecting a freeze. They're also great to paint in or do gardening work in. And I'm not sure, but I think the animal shelter will take them to use as bedding.

Shelters would appreciate your bath things. SafePlace has drop-offs around town, and they will take old cell phones, too. You can still call 911 on a cell phone that doesn't have service, as long as it has a charge.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.H.

answers from Beaumont on

First of all I don't want to seem rude but for those of the ladies that said just throw it away no one could want it, obviously you have never lost everything and had to go to a shelter for help. I was in a women's shelter years ago and I appreciated all the bath products they gave me and some were partially used, most weren't but quite frankly beggars can't be choosers and at that time I was the beggar. So donate to the local shelters especially the women's and homeless ones. Also not sure where you live but if you live somewhere that natural disasters happen often like hurricanes. Thats what we get here. Save your older used clothes and donate to refugee shelters also that is good for bath stuff too. But if you want to get rid of stuff right now the women's shelter and homeless shelters will take it. Good luck to you on staying organized.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Houston on

I am a craigslist junkie, so i would tell ya to put it on there for free, with a pick up by date. Then if they have stuff in there that they don't want, they can find another place for it. you'd be surprised how many people need things but can not afford them. i've given away kids clothes that way as well as a washer and dryer. good luck:)

D.
moms helping moms work from home:)
http://www.formyrugrats.com

1 mom found this helpful
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L.G.

answers from Corpus Christi on

HOmeless shelters are happy to take toiletry items, even opened ones. There is such a need.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.P.

answers from Houston on

Have you tried OxyClean. I like to buy the powder so
that I can manage the strength. I like to make it stronger than recommended. Sometimes you may want to
let it soak for up to 3 days, but you will get results.
Try it on your cloth napkins, too.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Corpus Christi on

You can donate your items to your local women's shelter or homeless shelter. The same goes for the bath products. I work at a shelter and we could always use the donation.

D

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A.J.

answers from Killeen on

well first off, whenever you take off a shirt that has a stain, take it straight to the laundry room and spray Shout or Spray N Wash on it! it will get out even tough stains and then you don't end up with a stained shirt =)
next, go search yahoo groups for freecycle! that's where you can give away clothes and even your used bath items! it's an awesome site and 9 times out of 10 someone wants whatever you are giving away. AND you can be the recipient of lots of awesome stuff too!

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S.W.

answers from Houston on

The Salvation Army will take just about anything. They will pick up donations from your home (5 bag minimum). Give them a call.

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T.P.

answers from El Paso on

Get some Grandma's Spot remover from Hancock Fabric Store and use it undeluted on the stain. I have gotten set-in stains out with it. If that doesn't work maybe find a friend who sews and can use some of the fabric for sewing projects. As for the bath products...see if you can find a women's shelter. I'm sure they would love stuff like that.

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M.B.

answers from Houston on

Regarding the bath products.....Is there a Ronald McDonald House near you? The ones near us take bath and toiletries donations as long as the items as unused.

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H.R.

answers from Houston on

A good way to give them back to your local community is to join your local freecycle group on yahoo. I have been a member everywhere I move to. Great way to declutter your home while also having the opportunity to get some great things also for free. Good luck with declutter. Oh yeah those space saver vacuum bags are great. Can buy them at walmart.

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A.B.

answers from Houston on

Boys and Girls Country would be great place to donate bath products. They have several cottages that house either 8 boys or 8 girls and house parents. You can imagine a cottage of 8 girls will always be in need of bath products. I know that they would be very appreciative. I can get you connected with them if you would like. Let me know.

A.
www.InvestingInMyKids.com

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C.A.

answers from Houston on

I just wanted to drop a note to say that you will LOVE Flylady!! I've been with her for about 3 years now, and I have a clean and clutter free home! I haven't ordered a lot from her, but I have her duster.. it's awesome!
Good luck to you!!

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J.C.

answers from Houston on

C., you can join Freecycle for your area and post them for giveaway. In your description mention stains. There are plenty of people out there that will gladly take them. I am a member of Freecycle and give schtuff away all the time. Sometimes you can post a wanted for a particular item and can get it too. I give away all the time and saves you a trip to Goodwill, etc. J.

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U.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi C.,

Congratulations on a great resolution -- and for sticking with it!

First thing: part of being organized is being willing to just throw trash away. Stained shirts are trash. No one wants them. You can't use them. Trash can is where they belong.

IF you have the following needs, however, here are some good uses:

1. oil changing rags
2. Window cleaning rags,
3. all purpose garage rags

Cut 'em up, use 'em once and toss 'em out! Better than paper towels.

Have fun cleaning house!

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A.O.

answers from Sherman on

You can dontate those items to your local YWCA or women's shelter. Both are in great need for clothing and toiletries.

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L.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

Mens shelters, Women's shelters, homeless, home's for abused women, drug rehab, there are many that can always use clothes.

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