<p>Front porch with King bed frame, 4 nice extra large plant pots (two antique salt something or other) a box of jewelry, cook books (yes I did it!) and misc. being picked up tomorrow. And anything else I find before bed in the next few hours.</p>
<p>5 minutes later: two good solid but faded lawn chairs just went. And H even agreed!</p>
<p>Iām off to make a t-shirt toteā¦I have a couple shirts I simply canāt part withāthis is perfect.
More clothes out the door! Trying to decide what area I want to tackle next. Iāve hit most of the obvious problem areas. House (and me) feels so much lighter.</p>
<p>"ā¦old t shirtsā¦terrific rags"</p>
<p>True! I am refinjshing some furniture, old shirts and sheets disappear fast.</p>
<p>Old linens are hotly desired items at animal shelters and vet offices.</p>
<p>Yes, yes, and yes! Our local pet shelter was really happy to see the bag of old towels Mr B dropped off there the other day. I have another bag for him to take there this week! </p>
<p>Does anyone know what to do with old linens that are really linen? I have tons and tons of tablecloths that are linen and/or damask (I donāt really know the difference), plus napkins, place mats, etc. I havenāt used them in years because they require professional cleaning and ironing (Iāve tried and they just arenāt crisp after I do it myself). They cost a fortune to use, so I donāt. Iāve substituted them with cotton/poly blends from Bed Bath and Beyond instead. </p>
<p>But what do I do with these??</p>
<p>I kept ignoring this thread because I thought it was about that buying service you can sign up for and you get automatic shipments to your house of make-up, or clothes or whatever else you sign up for. I kept thinking, I have so much junk in my house, why would I need more? :). Then I clicked on it by accident the other day and immediately read through the first 10 or 12 pages. Then I put the computer down, and cleaned out our file cabinet. Aaaaaaaahhhh, so goood !</p>
<p>So now, 5 months into the process, Iād like to join officially. I just hope there are no ground rules that mean I now have to make up all 5 monthsā with of bags in my first weekā¦</p>
<p>Hayden, you may have a one week grace period. (haha) </p>
<p>Making up 5 months at my house wasnāt very hardāI think Iām good for several years worth at the momentā¦</p>
<p>VeryHappy, funny, but I was showing my friend, a former chef, all my embroidered tablecloths, wrapped in dry cleanerās plastic. I inherited these from my mom, and just too costly to use them. Iām hoping my future DIL will appreciate them. 
</p>
<p>@bookworm, thatās exactly what I have. Since our move to this house a year and a half ago, they are still in the wardrobe box that I used to move them. They are quite expensive to buy new, I know, so I donāt want to just junk them. I agree; maybe thereās a DIL in my future who will love them.</p>
<p>VH, I donated all of my linen tablecloths and napkins to my charity thrift store. </p>
<p>Bookwormā¦take them OUT of the plastic! They will become musty smelling. I canāt tell you how many donations to our shop have to be thrown away because the things were stored for years on plastic. If you want to keep them, out them in old pillowcasesā¦or a cedar chest.</p>
<p>Linens are like china to me. If itās too much hassle for ME to use itā¦what makes me think someone else I hand it down to will? And then what makes us different than OUR parents giving us stuff that is āstill goodā but we donāt want or need? </p>
<p>The only real use for linens I could see would be a theatre company, B&B or historical society etc. Maybe put them on craigās list for free to good homeā¦</p>
<p>Yard sale set for tomorrow! That should count for several weeks worth of bags!!!</p>
<p>I loosened the plastic; they breathe. But I just cannot give them away. Some were embroidered by my grandmother. I watched my mom stitch others. oy vey</p>
<p>Can you use them in another way? I once used a couple pretty tablecloths as a draped valance over a window - got so many compliments! I have used delicate cloth napkins layered with the points down for a valance as well. Depends on the size of your tablecloths of course.</p>
<p>Did a quick peek on Pinterest. Linen tablecloths turned into aprons, slipcovers or cut and framed! ( the embroidered part). </p>
<p>abasket, I think Iāll hold onto them a few more years, and hope the future DIL will like them. Iāll try to convince her not to have them professionally cleaned, but to use and love them. If that doesnāt work, then Iāll try my niece, and then think of what to do. I now see what a hypocrite I am. I filled my trashcan with shredded tax forms more than 7 years old, all my old ledgers, files, but then I break down with sentiment.</p>
<p>Even loosened, the plastic covers really need to go, in my opinion. </p>
<p>I have a few family quilts and was told to wrap them in white sheets if stored.
So happy that a porch full was picked up by the VAVets. They can be scheduled online if they are in your community. Always grateful when they pick up.</p>