Stay-at-home mum Cushla McLean's newly opened online store for kids' clothing is leaving its mark in all the right places.

She says buying clothes for her 2-year-old daughter Mia made her realise there was a need for a cheaper option that didn't skimp on quality.

"I don't think until you have kids do you actually realise how much money you spend on clothes and how little time they use it for," she says.

Mrs McLean's solution was to start up a business were she picks up surplus kids' clothing from people then puts the items online, handles the sale and halves the profit with the owner.

She says there is demand on both ends with families wanting to get rid of unused clothing and mothers wanting to buy good brands at cheaper prices.

"Children can wear them like once, or you put it away for a special occasion and by the time you pull it out it's too small, so actually they have never worn it at all.

"And why throw something away, something that is basically brand new, just because kids grow too fast when instead you can sell it and someone else can get use out of it."

In 2008 textiles made up 4 per cent of landfill matter at the four national indicator sites.

The Dannemora mum says buying second-hand clothes is a way to be eco-friendly and set an example for the next generation to recycle and reuse.

"When my daughter is older we can explain to her that we are passing her clothes on to someone else to use. That we don't just use it and then bin it," she says.

The online business has been up and running for just over a month and has developed a strong Facebook presence.

"We've got more than 200 likes on our Facebook page, so quite a few people liking it. It is a good way to market things and a great way for people to know about the latest additions."

She says Facebook has proven to be a great way to remove the matter of proximity and spread the word further.

"We've sent clothes as far as Dunedin because of Facebook, it just has such a big reach."

She says the future is online shopping but people also like to see the goods in person, so she is opening her home up tomorrow for people to view the clothes.

"I wanted to be able to offer people a chance to view it as well so that is why I'm starting up the little shop here that will possibly be open every second Saturday."

Go to ecokidsboutique.co.nz to find out more information.

- © Fairfax NZ News