Yes. During a house or junk clearance, a clearance company will take all the clothing and fabrics left in a property: everyday clothes, coats, shoes, bags, bedding, curtains and towels. At Jettison Express, textiles go back to our depot with the rest of the load, where wearable items are sorted for reuse and worn fabrics are sent for recycling, so very little ends up as waste.
If there are clothes you want to keep, give away yourself or sell, it pays to set them aside before the team arrives. This guide explains what we take, where it goes and how to sort a wardrobe before a clearance.
What textiles a clearance company will take
As part of a house clearance in Glasgow or anywhere we cover, we remove:
- clothes of every kind, including work wear, nightwear and children's clothes
- coats, jackets and knitwear
- shoes, boots, handbags, belts and briefcases
- bedding, duvets, pillows and blankets
- curtains, cushions, throws and table linen
- towels and bath mats
You do not need to bag or fold anything for us. If clothes are still in wardrobes and drawers, the team will empty them as part of the job.
What happens to clothes after a clearance
Reuse through charity
Clean, wearable clothing is too useful to throw away. Passed to charity shops, good quality clothes raise money for their causes and give people on a tight budget access to affordable clothing. Where clothes and textiles are in good condition, we aim to pass them on for reuse rather than recycling.
Bedding for animal charities
Animal rescue centres and dog charities get through a surprising amount of bedding. Old blankets, sheets and towels, even ones that have seen better days, can often be used to keep animals warm. If you want to donate these yourself, contact the rescue centre first, as their needs change.
Textile recycling
Fabrics that are torn, stained or too worn to wear are not wasted. They go for textile recycling, where the material can be turned into new products instead of being thrown away. To see how clothing fits into the bigger picture, read what happens to your unwanted items after a house clearance.
Sorting clothes before the clearance
Going through a wardrobe takes longer than people expect, especially when the clothes belong to someone you have lost. A little preparation makes the clearance day easier.
Check every pocket
This is the most important tip of all. Coats, jackets, handbags and trousers often hold cash, keys, bank cards, letters, receipts or small pieces of jewellery. Check inside pockets, coat linings, shoe boxes and the bottoms of bags before anything is cleared.
Choose what to keep
Many families keep a few pieces that mean something: a favourite jumper, a scarf, a tie, a wedding outfit. Some people have clothes made into a memory quilt or cushion. Put everything you are keeping in clearly labelled bags in a separate room and tell the team on the day. Our guide on how to prepare your home for a clearance team has more tips.
Donate to a charity of your choice
If you would like clothes to go to a particular charity, take them along before the clearance. Make sure they are clean and dry, and phone ahead if you have a lot, as some shops have limited space. Glasgow's household waste recycling centres at Dawsholm, Polmadie and Shieldhall also accept textiles. They are open 8am to 6pm, seven days a week, for residents, with no booking needed.
Selling designer and good quality items
Some clothes and accessories are worth selling. Designer labels, quality shoes, leather handbags and briefcases, vintage pieces and good outdoor jackets can all fetch a fair price through online marketplaces, vintage shops or dress agencies. Photograph the labels clearly and describe the condition honestly.
The money raised can help towards the cost of the clearance. If you are clearing a relative's home as their executor, keep a record of what you sell, as the executor is responsible for the deceased's belongings. In Scotland, the executor's legal authority to deal with the estate comes from confirmation, the Scottish equivalent of probate.
Clearing clothes after a bereavement
A loved one's clothes are often the hardest things to clear. They are personal, they hold memories, and there is no right speed to go through them. If you can, give yourself time, and ask family members if there is anything they would like before the clearance is booked.
Sometimes there is a deadline, such as returning a council or housing association tenancy, and the clothes need to be cleared sooner than you would like. In that case, set aside the few things that matter most and let a clearance team handle the rest. Our post on who clears a house when someone dies in Glasgow covers the wider process, including tenancies and timescales.
How Jettison Express can help
Jettison Express is a Glasgow based clearance company working across central Scotland. Many of our customers are families who have lost a loved one, and we know how much care a clearance like this needs. Our uniformed team calls ahead when we are on the way, clears every room including wardrobes and drawers, dismantles larger furniture and finishes with a sweep and tidy. Everything is taken to our depot to be sorted, with a recycling rate of over 90%.
If you only have a few bags of clothes and some bulky items, our junk removal service may suit you better than a full clearance.
If you have any questions, contact our team or call 0333 880 6800, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Frequently asked questions
Do house clearance companies take clothes?
Yes. A clearance company will take all clothing and textiles left in a property, including coats, shoes, bags, bedding, curtains and towels. At Jettison Express, they go back to our depot with the rest of the load, where wearable items are sorted for reuse and worn fabrics are sent for textile recycling.
Do I need to bag up clothes before a house clearance?
No. The team will empty wardrobes, drawers and cupboards as part of the clearance. The only clothes you need to deal with are the ones you want to keep, sell or donate yourself. Put those in clearly labelled bags in a separate room and tell the team what is staying when they arrive.
What should I check before clothes are cleared?
Check every pocket, coat lining, handbag and shoe box. Clothes often hide cash, keys, bank cards, letters, receipts and small pieces of jewellery, particularly after a bereavement. It only takes a little time and can save important items, including paperwork an executor may need, from being cleared by mistake.
Can I take old clothes to a recycling centre in Glasgow?
Yes. Glasgow's household waste recycling centres at Dawsholm, Polmadie and Shieldhall accept textiles. They are open 8am to 6pm, seven days a week, for Glasgow residents, and you do not need to book. Clean, wearable clothes are better donated to a charity shop so they can be reused.