A few weeks ago I posted a Spring Clean Challenge! Summer is right around the corner; how is spring cleaning going for you? In my household, we have taken small, steady steps to organize clutter and do some deep cleaning.

Consider clearing out your closets and drawers (and chests and boxes) of all the clothes that both you are no longer wearing and your kids have outgrown. For items that are still in good condition, host a clothing swap. Clothing swaps are ecologically smart, economically thrifty and fun as well.

Something that you are sick of wearing or never wore might just be the dream outfit for a friend. A swap is also an opportunity to socialize and chat with people you might not ordinarily see. And you might just find a new “look” that you wouldn’t think to choose in the store!

In my hometown, we have a great group that holds regular clothing swaps.PDX Swap hosts well-organized swaps every month around the Portland, Oregon metro area. Consider doing some research to see if there is anything similar in your area.

If you want to host your own clothing swap, have no fear - it's easier than you might think!

1. Invite at least 10 people/families. Make sure everyone knows that they can bring more than they take or vise versa. Have everyone bring a bag (or two).


2. Organize the clothing into sizes. Small, medium and large usually work for adult sizes. For women’s clothing, make a decision on what numbered sizes go into the categories. For children’s clothing, size by age.


3. Place the clothing on tables, nicely stacked. I have been to swaps where the clothes are on the floor and it is a chaotic mess.


4. Make sure everyone helps sort but waits to take clothing until the set “start time.” Usually the host determines when it is time to grab and bag.


5. Determine ahead of time where the left-over clothing will be donated. At the end of the swap, make sure a couple of people help the host to bag the clothing that was not taken. It is best to go ahead and load it into the car of the person donating it. No reason to have bags of stuff just lying around.


6. Why limit yourself to clothing? Consider swapping shoes, handbags, children’s toys and books!

In these challenging economic times, creating community while supporting your values is a win-win!

Lea Redmond's inspired project offers tags with "care instructions" to be sewn into your clothes that encourage consciousness of the labor and resources that go into clothing and the respectful maintenance and reuse that go along with this. All she asks for in return is a tag from the item of clothing you intend to sew the new tag into, along with a $1 donation per tag (you can request up to 5 tags without making a donation, if you can't afford to donate). Click here to learn how to send in your tags and request new ones. Another brilliant idea from the woman behind the World's Smallest Postal Service.