With the new year comes new resolutions, new attitudes and the clothes! So you have this envy, this need for new clothes, but there’s a problem… you don’t have the space for all the latest fashions! There is a simple and easy solution that could help you and other people less fortunate then you. Spring Cleansing!

Trust me, I know how easy it is to become overwhelmed with clothes. I just cleaned out my closet over break. I used two trash bags filled with all sorts of clothes. As you continue to read I will show you a detailed step-by-step of how I clean out my closet, do some good and make some smiles.

So I realized I had too many clothes that I never wore. I let them sit around thinking oh I’ll wear it another day. That day never came. I also discovered that some of my clothes don’t fit one way or another. The first thing I did was I took out all the clothed I never wore, haven’t wore in a while, or all my outdated clothes. I can’t tell you how many jeans and shirts I forgotten about! Within pulling out these clothes you need to make two distinct piles. One of them should be nicer clothes that have been lightly worn, undamaged and not cut up. The second pile will need to consist of old T-shirts. This pile can have shirts with armpit hole, stains and NO cut out sleeves. This will help you later when we sort out all the clothes.

Then you need to get a piece of paper and something to write with, preferably and black or blue pen. Then you need to put different categories on the list, like jeans/T-shirts/shorts/etc., and tally or take inventory of how many of each item you have. The categories will help you know what you gave away and help out whomever you are donating to.

You are now ready to pack them up! It helps to fold the clothes nicely and place them with other items of that category. If you are using a trash bag be carful to you don’t have anything else in there, as to not ruin the clothes. Once everything is in the packed up tape your list to the bag and make sure you have a copy of the list. (Note, don’t use marker. It rubs off!)

As for old t-shirts, say from middle school or any camps, you don’t have to sort them or anything. Just fold them into a separate bag. You can also put any old towels or rags with your old shirts. Animal shelters love taking these off your plate!

As for the good clothes, I love donating them to the Resale Shop (yes that is the actual name of the store) at 6257 N Oak Trafficway. The store is really close to the school, so you can bring your donations with you to school and leave them in your car. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. so you can drop them off after school at the side door of the building.

Now you have cleared out your closet while helping out others! How cool is that! There are a lot of people and animals in need that you can help. All you have to do is donate your old clothes and household items. It brings hope to the hopeless and warmth to the cold.