Today's topic covers the easy part of going through your closet. I mean, the purge is the hard part, right? The process of deciding what to actually get rid of is always so difficult for me. Now, onto the fun part - upcycling or finding a new home!

But first, some stats. So, you're clothes are totally recyclable. They can be used for lots of different things - like carpet padding, home insulation, and stuffing for pillows, car seats or toys. However, the EPA reports that 5% of the landfills in the US are thrown-away clothes, and only 15% of unwanted textiles are recycled. In fact, the average American tosses around 70 lbs of clothes into their trash can every year.

Let's change that. Here are 4 things to do with your clothes once you don't want to wear them anymore.

Resell

Make a little extra cash by selling your clothing items to second-hand stores like Plato's Closet, or by using online platforms like Poshmark. It's a great way to give your clothes a great new home and to make some extra dough on the side.

Donate

Drop your clothes off at a community center, homeless shelter, or thrift store like Goodwill. Be careful with this one though. A donation spot is not just a trash can for you. Make sure that what you're getting rid of is still in good enough shape for someone else to actually use and enjoy!

Recycle

There are quite a few organizations out there that will take your old clothes and turn it into something new. The Council for Textile Recycling has clothing donation drop-off spots all over the US, and Soles 4 Souls will take your old shoes and give them a new home. Lots of stores also have recycling programs for their clothes. Places like H&M, Patagonia, Nike and The North Face will take back your unwanted items, so you don't have to worry about it!

Real Simple put together a super helpful chart on where to donate and sell specific types of clothing. Check it out here.

DIY It

Use your closet purge as an excuse to start a bunch of DIY projects! Your clothes can actually make some super cute and super helpful items around your house.

Braided T-Shirt Rug

(Project and photo from The Wonder Forest)

Woven T-Shirt or Bed Sheet Rug

(Project and photo from A Beautiful Mess)

Denim Basket or Planter

(Project and photo from Pillar Box Blue)

Denim Coaster

(Project and photo from Simple Things Notebook)

Bonus tip: one of the commenters used hot glue instead of sewing them, and she said it worked as well!

Denim Dog Toys

(Project and photo from Pillar Box Blue)

Doesn't matter which of these options you go with, there are so many better things to do with your clothes than just throwing them in the trash. What do you like to do with your unwanted wardrobe items?