If you love your wedding dress but you don’t plan to wear it again, consider donating it. It’s a great way to declutter your closet and make a positive impact on the environment. Newly discarded clothes contribute to landfills and emit carbon dioxide, while the production of new clothing requires hundreds of gallons of water. Plus, those dresses are taking up space that could be used for something more useful.
Most charity shops and thrift stores that accept wedding dress donations have specific guidelines regarding the condition of your gown. It won’t do anyone any good if you donate your dress with holes or visible stains. You should also get it professionally cleaned before donating it, even if you don’t see any signs of dirt. This can help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which can be present on certain fabrics for up to a few days.
There are many options if you want to donate your wedding dress, and some of them may surprise you. For instance, you can donate it to a local Angel Gown program that utilizes talented seamstresses to turn donated wedding gowns into infant burial gowns for families who have lost their little ones. Another option is to sell the dress online or in a consignment store.
Some charities that accept donations also have locations where you can drop off your old wedding dress, so it’s worth looking for one near you. Other charities will pick up your dress from your home, but you should call ahead to make sure they’re able to accommodate that request.
Besides being an eco-friendly alternative to throwing your dress in the trash, donating it is also a nice way to help other brides. It’s important to remember that not every bridal gown will find a forever home, and that’s okay. In fact, the most important thing is to choose a charity that you can feel confident will give your wedding dress the best possible outcome.
If you’re unsure of where to donate your wedding dress, try a search for “wedding dress donation” in your area. The results should include a list of local and national charities that accept donations. You can also contact your favorite charity directly and ask what their donation policies are.
Many brides choose to preserve their wedding dresses as a keepsake or pass them on to the next generation. But if you’re not planning to wear yours again, it’s a better idea to donate it instead of keeping it in storage. It’s an easy way to clear out your closet and improve your home organization habits.
Most people assume that their wedding dresses are pristine the day they put them away, but over time they can be damaged by rats, bugs, and mold. Not only that, but they take up valuable space that could be better used for other items in your home. Plus, they’re often made of delicate materials that can be easily ripped or torn.