What To Do With Old Maternity Clothes – Your Sustainable Options

Not sure what to do with your old maternity clothes after giving birth? Don’t bin them – here are six sustainable options in the UK to keep them out of landfill.

I know from my experience of having two children that having a few staple maternity clothing pieces makes you feel a whole lot more comfortable during pregnancy. But if you are anything like me, then once your baby arrives, and your body begins to settle into its postpartum shape, then you never want to wear those maternity clothes again!

If you have a pile of maternity wear sitting in your wardrobe or drawers and are wondering what to do with it all, then I’ve got tons of sustainable suggestions for you. From where to sell, donate or recycle them, to clever ways to upcycle them, here’s how to avoid sending your old clothes to landfill.

What To Do With Your Maternity Clothes After Giving Birth

Here are my seven top zero-waste ways to pass on your preloved pregancy gear in the UK:

Pass Them On To Other Mums-To-Be

If you have any friends of a similar size who are expecting a baby, and your maternity clothes are in good condition, then you could ask them if they need any of your clothes. My friends with babies and toddlers did this for me when I was pregnant, and it was so lovely to get some key pieces that I could wear throughout my pregnancy. It also made me think of my pals every time I wore them.

Alternatively, if you aren’t looking for any money for your clothes, you could try listing them on Freecycle, Olio or your local Buy Nothing Group so that you can connect with mums-to-be looking for clothes.

Donate Them To Someone In Need

Donating your old pregnancy gear can be a lifeline for expectant mothers who might not have the budget to invest in a new wardrobe for just a few months.

Charities, shelters, and community organisations often accept gently used maternity wear to pass on to mothers who need them most. Organisations like Baby Banks, women’s shelters, refugee charities, and modern slave charities like Their Voice are always grateful for donations of practical clothing, particularly maternity wear.

Gently used nursing bras that are still in good condition can also be donated to specialist UK bra recycling charities, like Smalls For All. These are then passed on to people in need in both Africa and the UK.

Sell Them For Some Extra Cash

Maternity clothes tend to be worn for only a few months, so are often in great condition. If you’re looking to make some extra cash, then selling your clothes can be a great way to recoup some of your expenses while also ensuring someone else can enjoy them.

Online preloved clothing platforms like eBay, Vinted, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace make it cheap and easy to connect with buyers looking for second-hand maternity wear. Specialist maternity resale websites – such as Second Snuggle – also cater specifically to expectant mothers looking for pre-loved bargains.

If you want to sell them locally, then car boot sales and nearly new baby fairs – including those run by Mum2Mum Market or the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) – are also great options. They’re particularly good if you would prefer to sell your clothes in person in one go, without dealing with postage.

Keep Them for Future Pregnancies

If you plan to have more children, then storing your pregnancy clothes for the future can save you money and reduce waste. I did this after having my first daughter. It felt really nice to be reunited with my old pieces a few years later when I became pregnant with my second.

Proper storage is key to keeping them in good condition. Wash everything thoroughly before packing them away. Meanwhile, vacuum-sealed bags or airtight containers to protect your clothes from dust, moisture, and moths. If your loft is a chaotic place (I’m not judging!) then it could be wise to label your storage so that you can easily find what you need when the time comes.

Make Memory Keepsakes

If you’re feeling sentimental, old maternity clothes can be transformed into keepsakes to remind you of your pregnancy journey.

Fabric from a special maternity dress or other items could be turned into a cushion cover, a baby blanket, or even a soft toy for your child. There are heaps of tutorials available online. Or if you’re lacking the time, energy and/or skill then you can commission a crafter to do this for you. Etsy is a great place to look for crafty people with the skill to handle your precious items.

Upcycle Them For Other Uses

If your maternity clothes are too worn to be resold or donated, they can still be useful. Soft cotton maternity tops and leggings can be cut into cleaning cloths or reusable wipes. And if you can sew then your old pieces could be upcycled into baby clothes, bibs, or similar. I recommend taking a look on a site like Pinterest to see what’s possible.

Recycle The Fabric

Finally, if your clothes are beyond reuse, then there’s no need to throw them in the bin. Many clothing retailers and recycling programmes accept old textiles for recycling. Here you can drop off unwanted clothes, regardless of the brand, and they may be repurposed into new textiles or insulation materials.

Charity shops also tend to accept rags for recycling. Make sure they clothes are clean, and pop them in a bag clearly marked as rags. The charity shops can then sell these to the rag trade, earning some money to support their work. Make sure you call ahead, to double-check that your local charity shop accepts these types of donations.

The Bottom Line

Getting rid of old maternity clothes doesn’t have to mean throwing them in the bin. Whether you choose to donate, sell, upcycle or repurpose them, there are heaps of ways to extend the life of your maternity wardrobe sustainably, without contributing to clothing waste. And if I’ve missed any options, do let me know in the comments below!