Bamboo clothing for people who pass clothes on
Short answer: Outer garments can be passed on if they are whole and clean. Underwear and socks cannot, no matter how little they have been used. It is a practical rule rather than a formal one, and most people follow it without thinking much about it.
Outer layers get passed on
T-shirts, sweaters and trousers in good, usable condition can easily be used by someone else, as long as they are washed and free of stains. Check seams and zippers for wear before you add the piece to the pile that will be passed on. Sorting by type and size as you go also makes it far easier for the recipient to look through everything afterwards. See bamboo T-shirts for men.
Underwear does not
Underwear and socks are not passed on, no matter how little they have actually been worn or how tidy they look from the outside. It is about hygiene close to the skin, not about how worn the fabric actually is, and the rule applies even to barely used pieces. Most places that accept clothes for donation have clear guidance on exactly this point. See bamboo underwear for men.
Wash it first
Even clean clothes should be washed before being passed on, no matter how recently they were last worn. It is a simple courtesy to the person receiving them and removes any doubt about when the piece last touched another body. A quick wash only takes a few minutes but makes all the difference in how the gift is received. See washing and care.
Check the condition
Hold the piece up to the light and gently pull at the edges to feel whether the fabric still has tension or has started to give way. If it is thin, holed or slack in the knit, it no longer belongs in a bag meant for passing on. This quick check only takes a moment but saves the recipient from having to sort it out themselves. See bamboo underwear for women.
Sort out what cannot be used
Worn out clothes that are no longer fit for use can become cleaning rags at home or be dropped off as textile waste following local guidelines. Never mix them with clothes meant to be passed on, since it can make the whole bag look lower quality. See all bamboo socks for men.
Frequently asked questions
Can underwear be passed on?
No. Underwear and socks are not passed on, regardless of condition or how little they have been used. It is about hygiene close to the skin, not visible wear on the fabric.
Should clothes be washed before being passed on?
Yes, even if they look clean and were only worn briefly. It is a simple courtesy to the person who will receive them.
What should you do with worn out clothes?
Use them as cleaning rags at home, or drop them off as textile waste following local guidelines. Do not mix them with clothes that can still be passed on.
See our range of Copenhagen Bamboo.
