Formaldehyde and carcinogens in synthetic fabrics

Would you willingly put formaldehyde (a chemical that causes allergic dermatitis and has been shown to cause long term health problems, such as cancer as noted in this article on your skin everyday? Well, to my surprise, many clothing are made with formaldehyde and washing does not reduce the concentration in the clothing.

According to this article, the below fabrics most likely have formaldehyde:

• Rayon
• Blended cotton
• Corduroy
• Wrinkle-resistant 100% cotton
• Shrink-proof wool
• Any synthetic blended polymer (Eg rayon, polyester-cotton) • Heavy stiff fabrics

An added note, rayon is made from wood pulp that has been treated with chemicals, including caustic soda and sulphuric acid.

The below materials are not treated with formaldehyde resins:

• 100% silk
• 100% linen (if it wrinkles easily)
• 100% polyester
• 100% acrylic
• 100% nylon
• Spandex
• Flannel (if soft)
• Denim (jeans)
• Wool

However, I would just choose 100% silk, linen, wool, and 100% cotton though not the wrinkle resistant kind, as this article notes “Nylon and polyester are made from petrochemicals, whose production creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that’s 310 times more potent than carbon dioxide; Acrylic fabrics are polycrylonitriles, which may be carcinogenic.”

Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic; Eddie Bauer; Liz Claiborne; Levi Strauss do not use formaldehyde. Levis has been using organic cotton, and Gap is making efforts to do so as noted in this media release. I am not sure about Eddie Bauer and Liz Claiborne.

Conclusions

So again, I strongly advise everyone to buy organic clothing in natural fibers if you can afford it. This post, as well as the comments from readers to the post, provides many affordable organic clothing options. Organicconsumers.org is also a one of the best resources I have come across for more information on organic clothing.

For those who cannot afford organic, I strongly advise you to purchase items at thrift shops so that you are not contributing to a second round of pollution to the environment in terms of the chemicals to produce clothing, the water pollution and addition to landfill.

When purchasing at thrift shops, only buy 100% silk, 100% wool, 100% linen, and 100% cotton to avoid the dangerous chemicals in synthetics that cause skin allergy as well as serious long term health effects.

My post on Natural Fabrics provides more information on why natural fabrics are better; and my post on Thrift Store shopping gives some tips on the Pros and Precautions of Thrift Shopping.

Silver Lining

I was disturbed that these dangerous chemicals are being used in clothing. However, I am looking at the bright side. I donated 90% all my synthetic clothing over the years due to my skin being allergic to them. Having less options for clothing makes it easier to be minimalist and focus on things that matter. I certainly do not go shopping when I am feeling down as I did before. Now, I just watch a documentary or a good movie, read a book or informative blog. There is less temptation of consumerism because I do not window shop or go into random stores on my walk to the subway or when I am about in Manhattan as I know most of these stores don’t have organic clothing or have mostly synthetic items. When I do need something, I go to the thrift store whenever possible, or otherwise buy organic or 100% natural materials.

There are many negative choices that corporations makes without regard to the health and well being of consumers, but we consumers are not helpless. We should let our purchase speak for our values by buying organic and fair trade items as much as we can, and thrift when we are not able to economically.

Have a happy and healthy day!

Minimalist Wardrobe – Choosing less means less attachment & more humanity + Affordable Organic Clothing

As I have indicated in the past, my main goal for minimalism is to have a more streamlined life, where I can focus on the things that matter the most to me, as well as be an ecologically conscious consumer as much as I can.

I have sensitive skin, so can only wear natural materials, such as silk, cashmere, cotton and merino wool. However, even with natural materials, which have an ecological advantage because they biodegrade faster, we must be very mindful of our consumer decisions.

LEATHER

I abstain from wearing leather coats because I imagine that it will cost the lives of more cows to produce them. I do own a few leather shoes, but this is only because polyurathane or plastic material for waterproof footware is very difficult to bio-degrade and they also don’t last long, so there is a need to buy more and pollute more.  The leather shoe decision is one where I had to choose a lesser evil. Perhaps one day there will be more afforable, ecologically produced leather shoes. In the mean time, I do not purchase excess leather shoes than I need because it is not worth the lives of animals for vanity.

FUR

I do not wear fur at all because there are just too many alternatives to stay warm, which don’t require killing animals.

WOOL

Wool is more humane than fur and leather as the sheep are not killed to obtain fur, but of course, purchase only as few as necessary. Also, I was disturbed to find out there are inhumane practices in some countries. For instance, as this article on PETA.com notes, Australian wool producers engage in museling (the removal of wool and skin near the sheep’s rear end to prevent fly-strike). The link will provide an address to write to the Australian PM to stop this practice. You can also, of course, boycott by not wearing Australian wool. All it takes is taking a look at the garment tag as to where the material was made.

Organic wool is also on the rise. Orangic wool production does not expose sheep to pesticides and hormones, and does not engage in inhuman practices. You may check this link if you want further detail. I am sure that it is more costly than regular wool, but for a minimalist lifestyle, you ideally only buy items once in a blue and only on a need basis, so perhaps you can see it as a worthy purchase rather than buying lots of cheaper, less ecological materials.

SILK

I love the feel of silk because it is the least irritating of all fabrics on my skin. However, I was distressed to find out the inhuman practice of silk production. As this site explains, moths/silkworms are killed to prevent them from breaking the silk thread as they leave from their cocoons. The cocoons are from where the silk threads are reeled.  It takes 1000 cocoons to produce a silk shirt, as noted in this article. While some may not care about silkworms since they are bugs, killing so many innocent creatures is still not worth the vanity, since there are other alternatives. While I won’t throw away my existing silk as to not completely waste the sacrifice of the lives of those creatures, I will not buy silk again, unless it is organicly and humanely produced.

Since I am unemployed, and even when I worked, not making alot of money, I purchase thrift items (in natural materials) to be ecologically conscious. I will not be buying any more soon, however, because I have enough clothing and footwear now, and am always trying to weed out my closet even more as I feel it is still not minimalist enough. After all, it is important in a minimalist lifestyle to always be mindful of not letting more in and sending more out that you don’t truly need.

For those who would like mid range priced organic clothing, check out this post for 5 affordable eco-friendly retailers.

5 Affordable Eco-Friendly Retailers

Below are the links for the stores.

Rawganique                           http://www.rawganique.com/

American Apparel              http://americanapparelorganics.com/buy.html

Levis                                         http://www.levistrauss.com/

Jonano                                     http://www.jonano.com/

REI                                            http://www.rei.com/

I welcome any other suggestions as well to help me and other readers.

—————————————————————

aparigrahasthairye janmakathamtasambodhah
One who is not greedy is secure. He has time to think deeply.
His understanding of himself is complete. ~ Yoga Sutra II.39

“The more we have, the more we need to take care of it. The time and energy spent on acquiring more things, protecting them and worrying about them cannot be spent on the most basic questions of life. What is the limit to what we should possess? For what purpose, for whom and for how long? Death comes before we have had time to even begin considering these questions.”

(Translation and commentary of translation of Yoga Sutra II.39 by TKV Desikachar)

Some Clutter Tips

Better Homes and Garden ran this short article with tips to control clutter that I found very useful.

Some Everyday Minimalist/Green Ideas

SKIN CARE – Use natural skin care products. It is better for the environment and your skin. Coincidentally, most natural products have fewer ingredients than other products. Look for those with the least ingredients and with no preservatives. If you don’t use face makeup (powder, foundation, concealer, blush, etc.), steaming your face with a soft wash cloth and boiling water should be sufficient. If you run out of natural products or can’t find them near your neighborhood, products for extremely sensitive skin, such as Cephatil or Eucerin, also have fewer ingredients.

HOUSE CLEANING – Baking soda and vinegar are miracle house cleaners, which were used before cleaners were mass marketed. You can use them to deodorize, clean stoves, countertops, tubs, sinks, etc. Check this site for recipes/idea. I use baking soda to clean pots and pans, and soak dishes in baking soda and minimal water to loosen grease and food, but I am looking for an alternative to liquid soap to wash dishes. Any ideas?

LAUNDRY/DRY CLEANING – For delicate materials, such as silk, cashmere and merino wool (which encompass half of my wardrobe due to my sensitive skin), you can just use clear, cheap shampoo, like Suave, White Rain or Tresemme to hand wash them in lukewarm water. This saves money on the cleaners and protects the environment because dry cleaning solvents are dangerous for the environment and also bad for your clothing because they break down fabrics. If you have a stain, try to treat it right away with a little hot water and undyed soap. Then you can just steam the fabric when you get home. Steaming is also a good alternative to dry cleaning if your aim is just to freshen your clothing after a wear of two until you are ready to wash it with gentle shampoo.

PERIODICALS – I have done away with all my magazine subscriptions, except one for boyfriend’s reading in the bathroom. lol. Sorry for being explicit. You can read most of the information on online versions of most newspapers and magazines. If you want premium content, most major newspapers and magazine offer online subscriptions now, but I advise not to complicate your life by doing so unless you need premium content for your job. Also, ask retailers to remove you from their mailing if you can so you don’t get catalogs and junk mail. When you do get catalogs or junk mail, recycle right away rather than letting them pile up. Don’t bother looking through them to browse unless there was something you were looking for previously. 

BOOKS – I love the tactileness of books, but have only purchase two new books this entire year, since my boyfriend bought me a Sony EBook Reader. This saves so much time and space, and it looks so much like a book that the first few weeks of using it, I would reach for the edge as if turning a page. It is a little pricey, though cheaper than the Kindle, even though it was the first innovator of EBook technology. It is worth the price though in convenience and portability for your back, and think of how much you would save if you had to move all those books. Not to mention that it saves trees. All the classics are available in eBook format, and many current books are being produced as in eBook format (pdf) also. You can download classics, where copyrights have been expired, for free from Project Gutenberg and read in pdf format on the reader. These days, I only buy regular books if I really need them and cannot find it in a store. I also encourage supporting smaller booksellers when possible.

HOUSEKEEPING – Housecleaning takes up a lot of time if you have a lot of possessions, so the first thing that I recommend is clear out anything you have not used in the past year. This includes kitchen gadgets, office supplies, magazines, old video games and toys if you have children, etc., most of which can be donated to thrift stores. I also recommend getting rid of excess bins and containers because although they are marketed to keep clutter under control, they also keep you unaware of all the things that you actually own. The plastic in bins are also bad for the environment. I keep all kitchen items in accessible cupboards so they can be used regularly rather than stored somewhere. For two people who don’t usually entertain more than 4 people at a time, 6 forks, 6 knives, 6 spoons, 6 plates, 6 bowls and 6 glasses are sufficient. A lot of people have way too many house wares that they rarely or never use. We used to have only 2 of each, but since we like to have a few friends over instead of spending a lot of money dining out all the time, we bought a few more items, but not more than needed.

CLOTHING – I have said a lot about minimizing clothes in my other posts, since as a female that was my biggest area I had to minimize when I started this journey. I have to emphasize that I do not recommend storing clothes, shoes or coats where you cannot see them because you will not be aware of how much you actually have. I keep all my clothes hung up and shoes on wood shelves and in wood baskets. At the end of the season, I wash or steam all my clothing and put them in clear, reusable suit bags. I hate using plastic, but this makes it easier to see the items that I have in the event that I need an off season item and also to keep inventory of all that I have. Shoes that I am currently using go on a wood shelf near the door, and those not in use are in wooden baskets in the bottom of my closet.

FOOD – I am not a strict vegetarian, but try to eat meat and fish as little as possible. I used to be a strict vegetarian, but as I am anemic, I got very sick, and my doctor recommended that I eat a little more protein. So I eat fish and seafood 2 to 3 times a week, and once in a blue when I visit my boyfriend’s parent’s home, I eat chicken or pork if there is nothing else because I do not want to inconvenience them, but that is rare. That said, I try to eat simple, vegetarian food most of the time. It is better for the environment because of all the emissions and food required to maintain the food industry and for your health as studies have shown that communities that do not eat meat live longer. See the Cornell China Study, and the Oprah’s episode on centenarian (person who is at least 100 years old) populations around the world.

I walk with vegetarian snacks, like Kashi cereal, dried fruits, etc., so if I am hungry and cannot find a vegetarian friendly menu or if it is too expensive such as in New York, I have sustenance to hold me out until I get home.  I do my best not to eat chocolate, processed food or excess sugar, though I do have a fruit filled cookie or make flan or other desserts. I try to make deserts at home because there are no or less preservatives and less sugar than store bought items.

Making Minimalism a Lifestyle (What would you do in your last days?)

I have been thinking a lot lately about how minimalism is not just about owning less, but also doing less. After all, the problem with owning many objects is that each object has energy and zap your energy because of the time it takes to maintain and care for those items. The same applies for when you involve yourself with too many activities. I am definitely for living a full life in which enjoys themselves and/or helps the world, and not just lull around the house. However, I think many of us, including myself, involve ourselves daily in activities that do not contribute to our overall life goals.

I know that after a long work week, we all need some activities to unwind, that do not occupy all of our mental faculties, but there must be limits also. Watching an interesting movie every now and then, or watching a program with your partner once or twice a week is fine. However, think of all the time wasted watching mindless television to kill time, time wasted window shopping, time wasted reading gossip or the like on the internet or in magazines, even time wasted talking repeatedly about topics that you are not particularly interested in or giving the same advice to someone over and over who does not really care.

Everyone has different interests, and that makes the world very interesting as well. However, I find that many of us, including myself, spend a lot of time on things that don’t really call to us and what we want to leave behind in life. I was thinking about my friend who passed away this year, and he valued people in his life, and always gave his time to bring friends together and spend time with them. Everyone who knew him remembers him as a kind person who always brought people together and would give his last dollar if a friend needed it. He also enjoyed activities like spending time with friends (dining, billiards, watching movies), cleaning and collecting kung fu figurines and movies. Before he got sick, he was into high end name brands of clothing and shoes. After he got sick, he still enjoyed the activities I mentioned above, but stopped buying name brand clothing and caring about image.

It makes me think, if we had just a year to live, what would we change in our lives? What would we buy? What would we eat? What would we get rid of in our life? What would we do that we always wanted to? What would we do daily to make our life enjoyable each day?

I know I would not waste money or energy buying clothing, shoes, or even certain books. I would not want to waste my time cleaning and organizing those things in my home. I would watch and read meaningful or substantive movies, plays and books. I would only wear clothes that were simple and easy to pull on in the morning without having to think about fashion or matching pieces. I would volunteer in the community or with children more. I would learn things daily that bring me closer to obtain a career that is more socially active. I would only keep things in my home that I could easily transport if I decide I want to pick up and move somewhere in short notice.

I am trying to think along these lines and do some of these things daily as I was in a rut for a few weeks deciding what to do next after being unemployed since the end of August. It’s a bit morbid to think about what we would do in our last days, but it is very poignant way to live to remember that each day is a gift. A gift that many who are in their last days wish they had. On our death bed, we will not miss or think about objects or useless activities nor regret not doing those things, but we will miss and remember the people in our lives and the activities that we found interesting and are passionate about.

Zenhabits has a great post those who have difficulty minimizing activities. Good luck and enjoy the day!

How to Make Minimalist Decisions Faster

This blog post gave me alot to think about. It is interesting that even minimalism can be over thought, so the idea of getting more with less is very appealing, especially in this society that contains overzealous choices.

George Carlin’s Funny Take on Consumerism

Sorry for George’s occasional profanity.

The Journey of Minimalism – Freedom from Attachment

The Dacoit of Consumption

I am a little ashamed to admit it, but I have to admit how I realized that the minimalist lifestyle was for me.  It was when I realized that I had spent $15,000 on clothing, books and other possessions in the span of 3 years, of which I retained 50% and discarded the rest because I did not have the space to store them. When I realized that I had done a complete 180 against my values and who I was by obtaining these possessions, but rather succumbed to criticism and confirmed to gain approval. I was so trouble and disgusted with myself that I had wasted so much time and money on things – things that essentially had little significance to me, but that bound me.

For most of my life, I had never been a materialist or a consuming person nor I did not care about fitting into the image of society. I actually dressed a bit eccentrically in junior high, high school and college, but the criticism about the quality and brands of my clothing from my friend and her husband got to me after my divorce because my self esteem was at an all time low. So, my consumption started after my divorce at age 23. I became very unsure of the future, seeing that I had wasted 5 years with someone who I had no future with, and with whom being with actually delayed my education. I also felt very alone and for the first time in my life, wanted the approval of others of my choice in career and even when it came to how I looked. I started buying things partially because I wanted my friends approval because she was doing well in her career, and I was trying to build my own after my divorce. I also started buying things because I was not happy in the career field I was in, and placated my unhappiness by purchasing things, rather than getting out of that field. I suppose there was even a false sense of security I having objects around me because I was so afraid to make a move to what I really wanted in life.

The Beginning of Minimalism

Yet, as I accumulated more things, it lead me further from myself, and every time I looked at the pile of clothing, shoes, handbags and books, I felt confused and depressed at the same time. I just could not take the stress of having so much stuff, and constantly having to organize, store and clean them. I started thinking back to when I last really felt like myself, and realized that throughout my childhood, teenage years, and college, I never had more than had 5 pairs of jeans, 5 dress pants and 10 tops and sweaters, but I was happy as I spent my time doing things I really enjoyed, rather than shopping or taking care of material possessions. I had very few clothing, handbags or shoes, but still took pride in looking well and treasuring the few unique items that I had. This was very different to the state in which I was in with 3 closets full of clothing, much of which I wore just because I felt guilty for having them. I had hundreds of clothing items, almost 100 shoes and 30 handbags. It was insane!

I realized that I needed to let go of the fears, the false sense of security and the blame on myself or others. It was nota about him, my friend , my mother or society. It was about recapturing who I am and what I want for my life. I knew that what I wanted was not to own an insurmountable library or wardrobe, but to really life again and do the things I really enjoy and start the goals I wanted to accomplish. To do so, I knew I had to just plunge myself into a new lifestyle, or I would continue drowning as I had been for the last few years.

The one difficult measure for me when I started the minimalist lifestyle a year and a half ago was making the decision to donate and throw away 50% of my clothing, which I knew I did not really care for. I was wreaked with guilt at having spent so much money on them, when I could have used it to further my education or for charity. I also realized that I held on to a lot  of items that were not in well enough shape to be donated because I didn’t want to contribute to the terrible landfill problem in the U.S. Yet, I knew I had to do it. The costs of buying the items were sunk costs, and it continued to cost me in time to take care of them, and it cost my peace of mind to look at them with feelings of frustration.

Letting go emotionally and mentally

So if you are starting out  on the minimalist path, look at what you own with reflection, so you will not make the same mistakes of buying things again, but do not dwell on the past. Face the past. You made many mistakes by buying these items, but you can start anew. Let go of the guilt of having wasted money, of having to throw away items that cannot be donated, and of the guilt of not having used many of the items that you donate or throw away. Use the awareness of your mistake to make a solemn vow that you will never buy things that you do not need in the present. Realize by present, I mean things that are absolutely important today, and not for a phantom need in the near future. It is better to make do with a few items, than have excessive items that you may never use.

Make a plan

To begin to minimize when you have loads of items in front of you can be a bit daunting, but it is easier if you make some rules for yourself. For one thing, you can make categories for your activities such as those I expound on in my previous post “Wardrobe Shopping Rules for the Minimalist“, and pare down items to fit into those categories.  If you have so many items that you have difficulty even paring them into categories, make some rules for yourself on what kind of items you are going to keep, such as only in flattering colors or fabrics.

Only keep books that you are actually interested in reading in the present. Textbooks and training materials for your current profession are exceptions.

Shut your brain off as you would do when meditating when you start arguing with yourself about the necessity of items. If you take more than a few minutes in deciding if you need an item, put the items in a bag in the back of your closet. At the end of the season, or at the end of 6 months, if you have not used the items, donate or discard them.

Odds are that you really would never need these items anyway, and you can always get it in the future if you are in dire need of it.  If you are thinking, “It will cost a lot more in the future than what I got it for”, remember that you can buy the item in a thrift shop for a moderate price in the future, while also helping charity and not contributing to the landfills. Also, contrary to what the media and fashion magazines tell you, there is no such thing as the perfect bag, shoe, shirt, etc. No material possession is perfect as it does not satisfy the need of the soul.

Create Further Rules as Needed

A minimalist lifestyle occurs in steps and requires constant vigilance and reflection. All desires start in the mind, so you have to be mindful of the influence of the things around you. I began to take scenic routes away from stores because they not only allowed me to appreciate nature, but also to not be tempted by the items I saw in stores. I stopped going into stores to browse, and went created lists before entering so I would buy the items I need and leave right away. I never bought items on sale unless I needed it in the present.

I had no trouble paring down my books, and got electronic versions of many classics to put on my book reader that my boyfriend purchased for my birthday.

I initially only kept clothing in natural fibers (cotton, silk, cashmere, merino wool) and in colors that I liked and that were flattering on my skin. However, a few months into my path, I realized that I still had too many clothing and would like even more stringent rules if I wanted to pare my items down more. So I decided to keep my tops to only a 3 color scheme (one shade of blue, french/nude pink, black and white patterns, two leopard print tops for fun), and my bottoms to only 3 colors – tan, grey and black. My handbags and shoes are also neutral colors – tan, brown and black. So now, all my tops match my bottoms and my accessories. It is so freeing not to worry about if I have clothing to match. I don’t have to waste time wondering what to buy to match clothing when I do shop, and do not waste money or effort buying things that will not match my wardrobe.

Create and Remember Your Goal

When I started the minimalist lifestyle, my goal was to pare down my clothing and books to 3 large suitcases. It took me some time to get to that goal because although I pared down my books and everyday clothing, I still had many shoes and formal wear occasion items.  I only have 2 quality formal dresses now.

I still don’t think all of my books and possessions will fit into 3 suitcases at this time. I think realistically they will fit into 4 suitcases (except for coats since they are bulky for NY weather).  However, keeping my goal to 3 suitcases keeps me motivated to not bring any more items in, and periodically reassess what I currently have. I have chosen 3 suitcases as my ultimate goal because if I had to relocate, I think that will make it an easy move. I like the sense of not being bound by my possession to any physical abode.

This gives me the impetus to read some of the books I still have or donate them as they take up one suitcase. I think there are a few more pairs of shoes I can donate also. It’s time for another inventory to see what more I can pare down.

Freedom from Attachment

I think the most important thing I can say about a minimalist lifestyle for me is that is has been a spiritual journey for me. It has put me in touch of what I really need in this world to be happy. Vigilance of the mind has kept me going, as well as the knowledge and feeling of peace and freedom that comes with letting go. As you let go of possessions, you open up space not only in your home, but also in your life for things that really matter.

Natural Fabrics and Recycling Fashion

I have never been one to go crazy for brands when it comes to clothing for the sake of the name itself. Rather I have always been fascinated with clothing for the prints, color and fabric quality. For instance, it doesn’t matter to me what designer makes a silk shirt or how much it costs, but what I care about is the gentle feel on my skin, especially for someone with super sensitive skin like mine, than can only take soft, natural fabrics. I get hives from rough fabric, itch from wool and break out if I sweat in synthetics like polyester. It used to irk me, but it is a blessing in disguise as natural fabrics are better for the environment and it helps me stay minimalist because I only purchase particular fabrics – cashmere, merino wool, 100% cotton, and silk. Unfortunately, organic cotton, hemp, and other fabrics costs so much now that I cannot afford it. I hope that there are cheaper alternatives in the future. In the mean time, I limit since these fabrics generally cost a lot, I do not need the added cost of buy full price at a brand store. So I shop thrift shops or discount retail stores with obscure brands.

NATURAL FABRICS HAVE A LOT OF ADVANTAGES

1. They rarely cause skin allergies.
2. They biodegrade well.
3. There is less pollution during their making as opposed to the pollution of making polyester. (Polyester is made from petroleum, and it requires a lot of crude oil during production. It also releases a lot of emissions in the form of volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and toxic gases like as hydrogen chloride).
4. If you get tired of the color or have a laundry mistake like color running or bleach mistake, they can be easily re-dyed at home. Polyester won’t die at all, and rayon and blended fabrics only dye partially.
5. They protect your body well against the elements. For instance, silk keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter as done lightweight wool due to its wicking properties. Cashmere and merino keeps you super warm, and eliminates the need too many layers, and make you look like a stuffed animal. I know because I used to wear 4-5 layers because I struggle with anemia on an off, and get cold very easily. 6. Natural fabrics last very long and retain shape if you take proper care of them. This means hand washing silk and wool with gentle, clear shampoo, or washing on the delicate cycle and air drying. So sometimes you will pay a little more for these fabrics, especially cashmere, but you will get a lot more mileage from them. The true cost of clothing is not the brand or the initial price, but the amount of wear you get from them (which is also why I choose classic, feminine silhouettes and colors).

So now that you have the advantages, what do you do with the all the synthetics and ill fitting items in your closet?

You can take it to the thrift store, have a clothes swap party with friends or give them away to family or a church.

I had several bags of items in the back of my closet that I had not gotten a chance to donate for almost a year because it’s too heavy to walk to the train with and take to my nearest thrift store, which is 50 mins away. I finally trekked with a bag to the thrift store, and asked the salesperson to be honest with me if they would take more donations if I came back. She told me that they are running out of space, so maybe I should wait. This was frustrating because I got tired of keeping items that I am not using, and I don’t have the space in my small bedroom, and it is unsightly to store in the living room or kitchen.

RECYCLE FASHION

So I am going to get creative and try to refashion some of these items. I have basic, self-taught sewing skills. My grandmother was a wedding dressmaker, and often watched my mom sew since she made all our clothing when I was growing up and her own at times even now. Unfortunately, my full service sewing machine broke, and I can’t afford a new one, but I have a miniature sewing machine that I use for hemming, and basic projects.

I have some ideas. I am going to make a few shirts with interesting patterns into scarfs, and some oversized shirts given as gifts into pillowcases. If you have any other ideas, let me know. I will give you instructions also if you are interested.

Here’s are instructions from a great site for to revamp a t-shirt into a ruffle scarf, as well as a simple scarf.

Items I cannot refashion, I will call all my local churches and see if they need anything. I also found this site on ReadyMade (one of my favorite magazines!) where for a denim drive where your old jeans can be made into home insulation. Proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity!

Happy creating everyone!

Pros and Precautions of Thrift Store Shopping and Donating

I know I have not written for a few months, and I sincerely thank those who have followed the blog, and inquired about my whereabouts.

I have been job hunting for a new job, and that has occupied my time in the last few weeks. I left my job because I don’t have any benefits, such as vacation, sick days or health insurance, and my days and pay were cut. There was so much politics and such blatant greed for money in the legal field that I could barely get out of my bed to go to work, knowing that I am supporting such a superficial industry. It did not help that I was bored out of my mind, and stressed having to deal with a very difficult job. I am a little nervous not having a job now, but I don’t regret not having to support such consumption and greed.

My job was strictly business dress, which irked me because I had to purchase a few button downs and slacks, but I got them at a thrift store. There are many advantages of shopping in thrift stores:

• It is good for the environment as clothing does not end up in landfills. Of course the down side of this is that most thrift store end up throwing away 50% of their donations because the donations are not in good enough condition or because they don’t have the space.
• You can find good quality items at a very affordable price. The downside to this is of course that others have worn the clothes, and you can get rashes if you have sensitive skin like me. You can also get bed buys as noted in this article. You can combat this by washing items as soon as you get home in hot water or sealing items in bags until you are able to wash them. Hot water will disinfect clothing so you will not get rashes and also kill bugs. If there are bed bugs, they will die after a few days if they are in a sealed bag as they will run out of air.  In most cases, thrift stores wash their clothing before selling, which will eliminate these problems, so I would not worry about it too much unless furniture and bedding are sold in the same floor as the clothing.   I never try on clothing in the store and I wash or seal bags if I buy from stores that sell matresses, bedding or fabric funiture. All in all, thrift store shopping is mostly safe, good for the enviornment, good for your budget and helps causes, but just take these small precautions. In fact, I have never gotten rashes or bed bugs from my ten years of buying thrift store clothing because I take these precautions. I actually got a bed bug (which gave me very painful bites) once from a new, decorative pillow at National Warehouse Liquidators.

So, the lessons here are:

1. Even with cheaper clothing, do not go crazy and fall into the consumption trap. Buy only items you need.
2. For those who donate to thrift stores, realize that just like you, customers at thrift stores want good quality items.  So, donate items that are in good condition so that the stores can actually sell them.
3. Don’t over shop at anytime (whether at thrift stores or not) and make the excuse that you will just donate it if you do not use it because thrift stores don’t always have the space. It is better to make conscious choice and buy the things you actually need, and take care of them so that when you donate them thrift stores can actually sell them.
4. Remember the minimalist rule, if you bring one item in, send or donate one item out, unless of course.