What to do with Old Underwear: Best Eco-Friendly Solutions
Do you ever wonder what to do with your old knickers and bras instead of throwing them away? Then you’re in the right place because I’m about to tell you exactly what to do with your old underwear.
Disclosure: This post may contain some affiliate links, which means if you shop through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Style Cycle Blog.
When you declutter your wardrobe, old underwear can present a unique challenge. You might wonder if you should throw them away or if there is a better way.
Whether you have an old pair of underwear in poor condition or gently-used bras that are too good to throw away there are plenty of sustainable options to consider that will reduce textile waste and benefit others.
In this post we will look at ways to make your old underwear last longer and the best things you can do with them once they’ve served their time in your underwear drawer.
What to do with Old Underwear: Best Eco-Friendly Solutions
Should you throw away your old underwear?
Initially, you may think old knickers and holey socks should be thrown away, but you couldn’t be more wrong.
Globally, an estimated 92 million tonnes of textile waste is created annually and this is the equivalent of a rubbish truck full of clothes ending up in a landfill every second. But you don’t have to keep old pairs of underwear clogging up your drawers either.
So, before you throw away your old undies and old socks here are a few ideas of what to do with them once they’ve reached the end of their life cycle:
1. Donate
2. Recycle
3. Repurpose
4. Sell
5. Repair
6. Compost
Donate
If your old underwear is still in good condition, consider donating it to local charity shops, nonprofit organisations, or donation drives. Many organisations accept gently used underwear and bras to support homeless women or those in need.
Smalls for All
Smalls for All is a charity collecting underwear for people in Africa and the UK who can’t afford to purchase these items.
It may seem small, but it can make a life-changing difference. Many women and teenage girls are forced to miss work and school because they have no pants during the time of the month when they have their period.
It isn’t just women that need pants, men and boys do too. Every pair of brand-new pants and new or gently worn bras will help the charity to make a difference in someone’s life.
Against Breast Cancer
Against Breast Cancer takes your unwanted bras and through a network of bra banks raises vital funds for pioneering breast cancer research.
They use their textile recovery project to prevent bras from going into landfills before giving them a new lease of life and supporting small businesses in developing African countries.
They receive £700 to fund research for every tonne of bras collected. Bras collected that are beyond repair are disposed of correctly.
If you want to get involved with the project, you can apply for a bra bank to be put in your place of work and start collecting!
Oxfam
Most charity shops don’t accept old bras but Oxfam will now accept new bras. Donate to your local Oxfam store.
Bravissimo
Head into any one of Bravissimo’s UK shops and pop your old bras into the bra recycling bins. Find out what happens to your old bras when you donate them to Bravissimo here.
Recycle your old underwear
Yes. Your holey socks and period-stained knickers can be recycled! Hooray! If you search for your local textiles bank they will have somewhere for you to put them.
If you are local to Manchester (like me) in the UK here is a list of local textile banks you can use.
If you are looking a recycling centre that accepts bras near you can search for it here.
Do you have underwear that is brand new (or nearly new) and you don’t like the style or fit? One idea is to re-gift it to a family member of a similar size.
Alternatively, many charities or a bra recycling agency will take it off your hands for you:
One Essentials
ONE Essentials is a sustainable ‘basics’ clothing brand. They use innovative materials, creating products designed for maximum everyday comfort, but the minimum impact on the planet.
They also offer a recycling service for all of your undergarments. The brand will take any brand and any size and fabric of your old underwear. That includes bras and socks for men, women, or kids. In return, they send you a discount code for 15% off your next order!
Y.O.U Underwear
Y.O.U recycles products through TerraCycle, who collect garments and turns them into usable products for industry, rather than them going to landfill.
As well as accepting their own underwear that will recycle socks, underwear and tights from any brand.
We are Subset
We are Subset is a US brand of sustainable underwear which takes your old panties and turns them into new materials like insulation, carpet underlay and furniture batting.
They accept underwear, bras, socks and tights of all kinds and you will earn $15 to use on your next order. Bonus!
Terracycle
Terracycle is another great option if you’re based in the USA as they offer a Parade Free Recycling Program.
Download a free shipping label to ship your knickers and underpants to TerraCycle, and they will recycle them! Unfortunately, this service isn’t available in the UK or Australia.
Related Post: 35 BEST PLACES TO RECYCLE OLD CLOTHING AND TEXTILES
Image Credit: One Essentials
Repurpose
Repurposing clothing is a great alternative to landfill, some of these options may not be for you but at least hear me out first.
Get creative with repurposing your old underwear! Fabric scraps can be used for DIY projects like making wash rags or stuffing children’s toys. You may not want to be cleaning the house with your kickers but it is a great option if you don’t care or live alone plus it will save you money buying cleaning cloths.
Pillow or toy stuffing is another way to repurpose your old clothing and kickers. If you have any pillows looking a bit flat, shred up your old underwear and pop it in your cushions to give it that extra plump feeling.
Elastic waistbands and straps can find new life in sewing projects or replacements for worn-out elastics in other clothing items.
Sell your old underwear
If your old underwear is still in good condition and you’re looking to make some extra cash, consider selling them through online communities or a buy-nothing group. You might be surprised by how many people are interested in gently-used underwear at a discounted price.
Check out 9 BEST PLACES TO SELL OLD CLOTHES ONLINE: MAKE MONEY FAST for tips on how to sell your old clothes and underwear.
Repair or Mend
You can try mending your old undergarments if you have a needle and thread at home. Here are some great ideas:
Patchwork
For small holes or tears in underwear, bras, or socks, you can use fabric patches to cover the damaged area.
Darning
Darning is a technique used to repair holes in fabric by weaving new threads across the gap.
Sewing
If seams are coming apart or the elastic has worn out, you can reinforce them by sewing.
Elastic Replacement
If the elastic in underwear or bras has lost its stretchiness, you can replace it with new elastic.
Trimming and Resizing
If underwear or bras have stretched out over time, you can trim away excess fabric and resize them to fit better.
Decorative Embellishments
If the damage is minor and you want to add some flair to your underwear, bras, or socks, consider adding decorative embellishments such as embroidery, lace, or fabric patches to cover the flaws while adding a unique touch.
Compost your old knickers and bras
For underwear made from natural materials like organic cotton or bamboo, consider composting them once they’re beyond repair (if you have a compost bin).
Remember to cut them into smaller pieces to speed up decomposition and remove any elastic or synthetic components.
Related post: 19 BEST ETHICAL & SUSTAINABLE ZERO WASTE UNDERWEAR BRANDS
How to make your old undergarments last longer?
Before we dive into disposal options, let’s discuss ways to extend the life of your undergarments. If your old underwear is still in good condition but starting to show signs of wear, consider these tips:
- Use a gentle cycle on your washing machine and avoid harsh detergents that can damage the fabric.
- Break out the sewing machine for small tears or loose elastic bands. A little TLC can go a long way in prolonging the life of your favourite intimates.
- Rotate your underwear drawer, you can prevent excessive wear and tear on any single pair.
- When it’s time to purchase new underwear, opt for sustainable fabrics like organic cotton or bamboo to ensure longevity and reduce your carbon footprint.
Remember, the next time you clean out your underwear drawer, think twice before tossing them into the bin—there’s always a better way!
Related posts you may be interested in:
9 BEST PLACES TO SELL OLD CLOTHES ONLINE: MAKE MONEY FAST
Love this! Wonderful and informative article. Thank you x
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful x