Plastic bags are terrible for the environment, so many localities are enforcing plastic bag bans in stores. 5. . Repurpose as Picnic Blankets This is one of the easiest recycling projects you can do with your old sheet. All Rights Reserved. Just make sure to brush up on your quilting skills, Another cool project for repurposing your old sheets for is turning them into double-sided placemats. Little Lady Little City, Just Quilty Dunelm operate a textiles take back recycling scheme in a selection of their stores and accept all clean home textiles including duvets, pillows, bed linen, towels, curtains, cushion covers, cushion inners and bedding protection. 7. Even if you can still use plastic bags, it might be worth your while to transform your sheets into grocery bags instead. Source: In fact, it might be cheaper to buy a set of inexpensive twin bed sheets and turn those into curtains than to buy custom window shades. When pillows are past their prime, they can still serve a purpose elsewhere. The Smith Family actually has a dedicated donation line you can call at 1300 737 166. To find out more on how to complete this easy, DIY project, check. Pet Beds You may already have a comfy dog bed, but what is the harm in having two? . If you'd like to keep a bedding recycle box in your home at all times, order a new one, send it back when it fills up, and repeat. Sew many pillows together to create a cozy floor bed for kids. Cleaning Tips and Shortcuts, How to Get Blood Stains Out of Sheets at Home. Watch the tutorial video to learn how to do this great project. Finally, knot the bottom of the toy. If you can't donate bedding, you might be able to pass it along to the American Textile Recycling Service (ATRS). Then there's the Salvation Army, which accepts various household goods, including bedspreads, blankets, curtains, pillows, towels and rugs. For more insight on when to replace your old sheets and towels and what fabric to pick as a replacement, see our guides: Bed Sheet Fabrics: Choosing the Right Fabric for How You Sleep. Cut up pieces of your old sheets, and use Mod Podge to adhere them to furniture or your walls. . Compost feathers 8. 2. To help your linens last as long as possible, see our guides on How to Wash and Properly Care for Towels and How to Wash and Properly Care for Bedding. The DIY dryer sheets can be re-stuffed, giving you a green and affordable way to make your clothing smell . Source: We know that finding a new use for old items can be challenging, especially if youre trying not to waste them. Take an old sheet outside in the fall when you rake leaves. All you need is scissors and a needle and threat. Use Them in the Garden. Should you donate them? Yes, feathers are fantastic fertilisers. Washing your pillow every six months in hot water with mild detergent or according to the pillows care instructions and depending on the type can help keep it cleaner and last longer. Shop the collections today! There are thousands of textile recycling centers and designated bins throughout the country that will accept pillows. Source: Over time, pillows also lose their ability to require the support that your neck and head needs, and the importance of a sound, comfortable nights sleep cant be understated. Keep reading for answers to these questions, along with tips for repurposingtextiles. Save your old bed sheets, and the next time you paint youll have some readymade drop cloths for your floors and furniture. Recycle another item Similar items If neither option is available in your area, you can still drop them off at local donation bins. The fact is, bedding and towels don't last forever. Over time, they lose their integrity, plushness and ability to absorb moisture. Pillow Insider shares some great ways to breathe new life into old pillows, including: According to the National Sleep Foundation, pillows should be replaced every one to two years. 6. Pile the leaves on the sheet and pull up the corners. Most pillow cover encasements will not compost, but if the stuffing inside the pillow is feather or down, you can remove it from inside the casing and toss into the compost bin. In addition to Oeko-Tex certified products, you'll find a recycled down pillow as well as an assortment of organic textiles including loungewear, robes, blankets, towels, sheets, pillowcases, and duvet cover sets. And unlike dropping off plastic bottles and cardboard, recycling textiles isn't always free. Knee pillow for gardening 7. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Pretty much anything that can be made using cotton should be considered. Source: This is not the case with bamboo bedding as these sheets usually have a TC between 150 and 250. "All you have to do is sew the five pillowcases together on the long sides and slip the pillows in. Local textile factories often accept old pillows, too, incorporating them into everything from carpet padding to insulation. Sadly, bed sheets arent recyclable. Housing Shelters and Charities. The thicker you can make this dog toy, the more durable the toy. Another test: Fold it in half and see if it stays that way. Preferably, you want to use a fitted sheet, but a regular sheet works as well. Whichever option you choose, youll be doing a good deed for the environment! Use Them as Floor Pillows 2.2. Make Them into a Pet Bed. Either way, at one point or another, youll need to get rid of pillows and its important to be mindful of the best way to do just that. Source: You might be surprised to find out the answers to some of these questions! How do you dispose of old bed sheets? This, Make clothing for a favorite doll using old bed sheets. Use Down Feathers as Fertilizer.More items.May 12, 2020 3. 7 Things to Do With Old Sheets. Source: Old sheets can be transformed into a tug-of-war dog toy. Simply take a plastic bangle and cover it with the fabric from your old sheets, as shown, Use a little elastic, an old bed sheet, and your sewing skills to extend the life of your sheets by turning them into fitted sheets. An easy way to use an old sheet is to turn it into a garment bag. How to Dispose of Old Pillows? . Do charity shops take pillows? Make Them into a Pet Bed. The pillowcase helps contain any loose fluff or parts that may come off during the wash. 5. To date, theyve accepted more than 287 million pounds of textiles to be recycled. Where to donate old sheets and towels near me? In addition to looking snazzy, you can still pin items to the bulleting board through the material. If you can, cutting up a large duvet into smaller . This DIY project might take some patience to create, but the end result will help you use up old sheets and any other scrap fabric thats taking up space in your craft room. The Zero-Waste Chef, Tilly and the Buttons Use a cold gardening frame for best results. Unlike paper, metals, and glass, fabrics cannot be recycled. Ducky House, Driven By Decor An old sheet makes a great ground cover in a pinch while on a picnic. Source: Most cities have donation bins that will accept any old clothes, bedding, or even towels! Separate the strips into three sections and proceed to braid the sections together. How To Dispose Of Your Old Bedsheets With An Eco Attitude Ettitude Bedding Sleep Better Healthier. Method 1 Night after night of sleeping on a pillow causes it to absorb body oil, dead skin cells, and hair. Just put the stuffed toy in the pillowcase, secure the top, and launder on a gentle cycle. The following video shows you how to make curtains using your old bed sheets. 8. You can find an easy-to-follow how-to guide, Cut up your old bed sheets to make patches for creating a rustic quilt. All rights reserved. To really get some use out of your old bed sheets, cut them up into small pieces and place them into the compost pile. Here's a tutorial from The Handmade Home and another from My Poppet. You could donate or trash the bedding, or you could recycle this spent fabric and turn it into something new. Most pillow coverings are unsuitable for composting; however, if the filler included inside the cushion is feathery or similar, you may take it from the pillow's cover and place it in the composter. These programs can always use bedding in good shape and often more decorative curtains are appreciated too. Quick Tips for Cleaning Pillows When they go through the washing machine cycle - give them an extra spin cycle to get rid of as much moisture as possible Always use the washing instructions on their label What can I do with old sheets and duvet covers? Old sheets make great seat covers. Penick.net, She Holds Dearly You can turn them into: Just because you can't donate them doesn't mean you can't reuse old towels. Drawstring bags can serve many uses. Its especially important to keep this out of our oceans and away from marine life. She Holds Dearly, Dr. Karen S. Lee Find out how to repurpose your old sheets into shopping bags in the following video. Craigslist and eBay are great places to sell your used stuff. Old sheets can be used to help protect plants against a winter frost 16. When should you throw away pillows? Soft and luxurious for a cool, comfortable night's sleep. Simply wrap any cushioning you have in your pets bed in the sheet, or use it to line the floor of a cage. But linens will eventually wear out, and most homes can only store so, When you're trying to cut down on waste and live mindfully, it might not feel right to simply toss old bedding in the trash. An old sheet makes a great way to get rid of the leaves in your yard. Fold a sheet in half and sew around the sides to create this sleeping bag liner that is perfect for when you go camping or anywhere else you want a barrier between you and the bed. #7 Build a Fort. Local Charities - From Goodwill to the Salvation Army to the American Red Cross, it's not hard to find charities right in your . keep an eye out for decor that has a mysterious, old-world feeling, like an antique globe, vintage-inspired desk lamp, sculptures, candle holders or dried plants. Once in a compost bin, the pillow material will slowly break down over a period. Dr. Karen S. Lee, The Zero-Waste Chef Donate Them to an Animal Shelter 2.5. 2. Homeless shelters: Likewise, some homeless shelters may accept donations of old pillows and duvets, as well as any old blankets. We Tested the Best Bed Sheets for Better Sleep, 7 Different Types of Bed Sheets and How to Choose One, How to Fix a Zipper: Repair a Stuck or Separated Zipper, 30 Cheap Organization Ideas to Declutter Your Home, How to Make Your House Smell Good Naturally, The 9 Best Organic Sheets of 2022, Tested and Reviewed, The Best Reusable Produce Bags to Help Reduce Waste. Sheets make a great fabric for creating a boho-inspired yoga mat bag. Textiles made from linen and long-staple cotton will offer a few more years of use, and they'll last longer if you're not using them every single day. Pillows are ripe for upcycling and reusing in new ways! Use old cotton linens to make beeswax wraps 17. Still stuck on what to do with old sheets? You can make a pillowcase for your small, decorative pillows if your sheet is a well-designed or and in good condition. You can use them to organize travel essentials, wrap gifts, or keep your purse organized. So, is there a sustainable way to pass them on for a new purpose or give them to someone in need? When placed in your red, general waste bin, it means your old, used pillows travel off to the landfill, where 6000 kg of clothing is dumped every 10 minutes. Source: In the other camp, I found people saying you should replace towels every 1-2 years. You can find drop-off bins near you by calling their 24-hour hotline at (866) 900-9308. As you can see, the usefulness of old bed sheets does not stop once you replace them. Can you give bedding to charity? This works really well with more absorbent materials, such as cotton or even bamboo. Then, lay the old ironing cover down on your sheet and cut out, cutting extra to cover the sides of the board. Pet bedding - Pillows that have been gently used offer excellent additional padding for your pet's bed. 1. Recycle or Compost Your Pillows. DISCLAIMER We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. For this project, cut equal sizes of your sheets to the size you want your pillow to be, sew around the edges, and turn them inside out to create brand new pillowcases. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Duvet covers, pillow covers and blankets might be collected by your local council for recycling, so double check with your council if you're not sure. You can make them as long or short as you like, and you can even . #14 You could make throw pillows for your bed or sofa. Use Them as a Pet Bed 2.4. Conclusions How Do You Know That Your Pillow is No-Longer Good? If thats sooner than youd expect, youre not alone! 7 Ways To Reuse And Recycle Old Pillows They use these donations when animals have babies or need surgery. Source: Are they recyclable? Place the blanket pad underneath the sheet cover . If you want a quick sale, then Craigslist is the better option since they dont charge fees. Parachute is a registered trademark of Parachute Home Inc. in the US and certain other jurisdictions. 10. Here's how: Cut the flat sheet into strips. Use Down Feathers as Fertilizer. She has been in the antique jewelry business for over 13 years. Turn them into throw pillows Give your old pillows a second life by refreshing the outer cover and re-upholstering them. The fabric can be converted into: Picnic blankets Tapestries Table linens Ironing pads Furniture covers for painting There are nearly endless ways to reuse old sheets. 7. These will then be resold or given to those in need. . They might also need rags and kitchen towels to help keep their facilities clean. If your cabinets are overrun with plastic shopping bags, you can use your old sheets to make a plastic bag holder. Ideally you should wash pillows at a minimum of every 6 months, but ideally nearer to every 3 months (once a season). Since this will reduce the use of paper towels and paper napkins . homesogood, modestmaiden62 Recycle them and make something new! The fabric can be converted into: There are nearly endless ways to reuse old sheets. Your old pillows don't necessarily need to leave your house just because they don't belong on your bed anymore. And for hygienic reasons, theyre not a standard item that donation centers will readily accept (but check with your local shelter, because depending on the pillows condition, it may still be of use). Why do pillows turn yellow? Source: Cutting a hole is a quick way to protect your clothes when youre taking on a project on the fly. . Make sure that your sheets are not thin or transparent. You can find out how to make this colorful area rug, Get even more use out of your old bed sheets by turning them into a pair of pajama bottoms. If you live near a Goodwill store, it might be better to donate them there since they can resell your old sheets and donate the proceeds. Maybe this is something youve never really thought about, or something youve been unsure of. Keep reading for answers to these questions, along with tips for repurposing. What to Do with Old Pillows (Other Than Toss Them Out) Recycle or Compost Your Pillows. The organization will take some bath linens, sheets and bed covers, as long as they aren't stuffed, such as a down comforter or quilt that animals might ingest pieces of. You can find a tutorial for this project, You can save old bed sheets and other scraps of fabric to make a rag rug. If you're in the market for new bedding or bath linens and want to keep up your sustainable streak, there are a few certifications to look for when shopping around. Source: Well, here are some great ideas on how to repurpose your old bed sheets, duvet covers and bedding. Source: We recommend keeping the strips around two inches thick and three feet in length. It's not as soft as some newer towels i have, but ten years still seem like a long time. Most would think the humble feather has little to offer in terms of fertiliser, but the truth is the feather is a powerhouse of nitrogen. Finally, knot the bottom of the toy. 4. Use it as a bed for dogs and cats. If you're wondering what to do with old towels, whether you can recycle sheets, or where to donate bedding you no longer use, you've come to the right place. DIY & Crafts, Sew She Sews Paper towels are becoming a thing of the past as more people are working to reduce waste in their homes. My Closet Case Pouf is packed with an old duvet and several of my old pillows. Roughly plait them together in bundles of 3. 6. There are so many brilliant uses for bed sheets that you wouldn't think of. Create More Floor Seating. Kenarry, homesogood #6 Make Your Own Heating Pad. Take an unfaded sheet and cover a bulletin board to make a colorful cover. However, if your used towels are in terrible condition, recycling or . Lauren Thomann is a jewelry expert passionate about crafting and DIY home improvement, writing on both topics. One Good Thing by Jillee, Viralman You can find a quick tutorial, Make your hangers look nicer by covering them with fabric. They contain a lot of material that can be repurposed in a lot of . T. Lisa from Farmhouse on Boone has a very clever idea for reusing old sheets. Another good use is to give them to a women's shelter or homeless shelter. If youre shopping for new sheets and want to know how to dispose of your old ones, keep reading. If the weather is going to drop unexpectedly, you can use your old sheets to cover your plants so they stay warm. 8. Can I donate ripped towels? Just fold the old sheet and place it in your car trunk. 4. The fabrics may also develop permanent stains or odors. Cover the sides of your basket or storage box with the pillow cover and tuck the extras in the side up to create thicker borders. Source: Source: Feather, down, and latex pillows are also compostable. 18. 1. . Thick blankets make ideal ironing board pads but towels and old sheets work great too. Cut and sew small pouches and stuff with dried herbs, like lavender, to throw into your dryer with your clothes. Having pets at home can be messy. While they prefer good quality clothing, The Smith Family also takes bedding in good condition - that is, no rips, stains or tears. They create dusty cobwebs at the top of the ceiling and in corners. Reuse sheets for drop cloths to guard against frost for tropical plants. Pull it off later and you'll hardly have to scrape the windshield. Or Use Them for Outdoor Seating. . Can you put pillows in the recycling bin? With your duvet, you shouldn't wash it regularly. Ironing Board Pads and Covers. The feathers have all you will need. #15 You can give your kids an awesome outdoor craft project. You can find the tutorial for how to craft a pair of pajama bottoms out of an old bed sheet, Turn a favorite old bed sheet into a beautiful, pleated bed skirt. Also, from the pillow fillings to the covering itself, many are made of or treated with potentially harmful synthetic materials and chemicals including polyester fibers called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), as well as toxic polyurethane. If you can't donate bedding, there are many other great uses for old sheets. Source: Source: This can help you save money while serving as an environmentally-friendly way of preserving the soil. Check out the video to find out how to complete this useful project. 1. Just Quilty, the good stuff This isnt just gross-sounding it can also make the pillow smell and, what's worse, can create the perfect environment for dust mites (common allergens).. Source: You should also make sure that you plump up your pillows when making your bed to keep them feeling more full. You're now subscribed to the latest stories. Figuring out what to do with old sheets and where to donate towels isn't always straightforward. Don't just send them to landfill. The resultant compost can ultimately be used to enrich the soil in your garden and reduce the need for inorganic fertilizers. For instance, these projects could help you eliminate waste in your home or help you become a more efficient gardener. The best way to find recycling centers and charities in your area is with a simple Google search. Source: When you finish painting, just throw the old bed sheets in the trash for easy disposal or wash them for reuse. 10. 16. Check their Textile Take Back Scheme FAQ page to view a list of participating stores. #4 Plant Protection. Compost the old pillow stuffing. What is Organic Cotton? Put the filling from the old pillows in the composting bin. If you own more than this recommendation, consider cleaning out your linen closet and tackling one of these DIY projects. It's one of my husband's favorite types of meat. But what can you do with old bed sheets? Homesteading, Ducky House After that, the covering may be torn apart and used as towels for cleaning. Make sure there are no large holes or tears and that it's not beginning to fray before you send it in for a donation. Protect the backseat of your car by taking an old sheet and placing it over the seat, safeguarding it from spills and other messes. So, is there a sustainable way to pass them on for a new purpose or give them to someone in need? You can donate bedding and other textiles to the American Red Cross through its GreenDrop program. 7. Restore old couch cushions 6. Cut your old bed sheets up into small strips and hang them up around your yard in the spring. Avoid donating any torn bedding, with strings and stuffing hanging out. You can take an old sheet and turn it into an ironing board cover. You can just take an old sheet from your storage and use them as picnic blankets. Dryer Sheets - Dryer sheets purchased at the store can be really expensive, but you can make your own using old pillowcases. How Often to Wash Your Bed Sheets? Turn those unused sheets into useful pillow cases or shams. Churches and homeless shelters will often take the used items donation centers can't accept. Compost Them 2.7. Put a Ham in It We make our own country ham every year. Find out how to create this wonderful DIY wall hoop art. Knee Pillows for Gardening 2.3. The coverless duvets are all machine washable and dry in as little as 2 hours, meaning you and your family can always be sure to have fresh . Birds will take the fabric and weave it into their nests, making them more colorful. What to Do with Old Pillows: Reuse Them 2.1. Place of My Taste, make and takes 6. One sheet can make at least two pillow cases depending on the size that you need. Shop. But instead of trashing your old bedding, consider recycling them instead. Project Nursery, Penick.net Try "Where to donate sheets near me" or "Where to donate bedding near me" and see what pops up. If you're trying to recycle cotton sheets or other household linens, another option is TerraCycle. To complete this project, cut your old sheets into several long, thin strips. To complete this project, cut your old sheets into several long, thin strips. Check online or with your local police department to find shelters that accept bedding donations in your area. There are other reasons why a pillow may start to turn yellow including falling asleep with wet hair, lotions and oils on the skin, and moisture. This includes: The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for organic fabrics, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 for chemical safety in fabric production. You can repurpose your old bed sheets into pillowcases. You can easily cut old and worn-out sheets into reusable cleaning towels. A good way to test if your pillow needs replacing, other than how long youve had it? Simply grab a pair of sharp scissors and cut the sheets into even rectangles. Instead, you have two options: Repurpose or Donate! Your local thrift shop is a great . There are a variety of accessories you could make with old sheets. By composting feathers from your pillows and duvets, you can eliminate the need to buy expensive nitrogen-rich fertilisers. Old Duvets And Pillow Pads Old duvets and pillows are great to use as stuffing for other projects. Mod Podge Rocks Picnic blanket 11. Copyright 2022 Green Matters. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Your baby can't sleep with a pillow until she's a toddler. Making a pillow case is relatively easy and you can even dress it up a bit to create shams for your bed pillows or throw pillows for the couch. Source: You can donate clean and good-quality pillows to animal shelters and charity stores. Customized Chairs All of us have chair covers but most of them are expensive and hardly come in a stylish design. make and takes, Pinterest 15. They typically come along with the home or apartment you live in, and taking them out becomes a regular part of your weekly routine. You can also get creative and repurpose old pillows! But instead of trashing your old bedding, consider recycling them instead. DIY Draft Stopper. In fact, there are services that specialize in keeping pillows and other textiles out of landfills, and have been doing it for years. Finally, old sheets work great as picnic or beach blankets. #1 Turn Them Into Reusable Bags. Mod Podge Rocks, Little Lady Little City modestmaiden62, Decor Hub Sew She Sews, Homesteading #16 A bed sheet teepee is fun for kids and adults. 9. You can even try different patterns for each drawer on a dresser, as detailed. Rest easy knowing youre ready to replace and recycle or repurpose your pillows in expert and Mother Earth-approved ways! How To Recycle A Duvet Diy Recycling. These vintage oversized headbands were made with fabric from old sheets. But linens will eventually wear out, and most homes can only store somany. It seems rather excessive to me, to have towels as an . You can use an old, white sheet as a movie screen and host movie nights if you have a projector. If you dont want to waste plastic bags, you can make shopping bags from your old sheets to create reusable shopping bags. If you want your bedding put to good use, it needs to be in serviceable condition, at least. You can even schedule a free pickup in some locations. Its easy to set up an account and start selling right away, even if you have never sold anything online before. Block drafts Other uses for old blankets and sheets 10. 4. Simply rake the leaves and place them on the sheet spread out on the ground, gather the corners of the sheet and drag the leaves to where you want.