Recycle Towels

Fabric is a great resource, even if it's an old towel. Some areas of a towel may be more worn than others. Before throwing away the whole towel and wasting resources, remember that the newer parts of the towel can still be re-used in many ways!

Steps

Household needs

  1. Make a bath rug.
    • For a solid bath rug, layer and stitch two same-sized towels together. Stitch the edges together, then make two crisscrossed stitches across the towels. Stitch seam binding around the edges for strength and support. Try two different colors. Use seam binding of the same or contrasting color.
    • For a patchwork bath rug, stitch several squares together or make a striped pattern. Combine and finish in the same way as the solid bath rug. You can attain an exact fit for the bathroom floor.
  2. Make facecloths. Use an area of the towel that is less worn. Using a sewing machine, make a zigzag stitch on all edges. You can attain the exact size and shape you'd prefer.
  3. Make double-layered hand towels. Layer and stitch two same-sized facecloths together. Stitch the edges together, then make two crisscrossed stitches across the facecloths. Stitch seam binding around the edges for strength and support. Try two different colors. Use seam binding of the same or contrasting color.
  4. Make cleaning cloths. These do not need a finished edge. Cut all edges with pinking shears and re-cut frayed edges as needed.

Clothing

  1. Make a bikini cover up. This is an easy sewing project that you can throw on after a swim.
  2. Make a towel turban. If you have long hair, it's mightily annoying to have your towel spontaneously unwrap and let your dripping hair get everything wet. This is quite a good way to use an old towel.
  3. Make Make Felt Slippers. Look for a suitable pattern to use toweling for the fabric. Add thickness to the sole with several layers of fabric.

Craft

  1. Make a boo boo bunny. A boo boo bunny is a cute way to help a small child's bruise heal quickly. It involves folding a washcloth a certain way so it takes on the appearance of a rabbit, which will already cheer the child up before they use it.
  2. Use a towel as lining. Towels are water-absorbent. Line a beach bag or fabric lunch bag. Line potholders or oven mitts.
  3. Make a patchwork tote bag. Use two layers of towels and secure the bag with double stitching. Make handles that reach around the bottom of the bag. Make the bag in any size or shape that's needed. Make two totes - one for each shoulder. Carry kindling or tools.
  4. Use towels as stuffing. Shred towels to stuff a pillow, cushion, bean bag chair, outdoor cushion, or a big cushion for the dog.
  5. Make a draft dodger for a door. Old towels can help keep heating bills down by keeping out the cold.

Miscellaneous Things

  1. Make reusable sanitary pads. Cut the towel into the size you'll need.
  2. Make a Make a Towel Whip. There's much fun to be had with a towel whip war.
  3. Make animal bedding. Cut small strips to use as bedding in a hamster, guinea pig, rat or mouse cage. They will use them in their nest for warmth. Or, use the whole towel, folded up, on chairs where your cats like to sleep, so that their fur gets on the towel, and less on your furniture.
  4. Use as a spare (or emergency) mattress pad. Most towels are about the right size to use for a crib mattress pad (crib or toddler beds). Just lay on the mattress and hold in place with the fitted sheet. This is an especially good use for those cheap dollar store or mail order towels you bought.
    • Stitch the hand towel across the bottom of the bath towel to add a little length.
    • Place over the plastic mattress cover, and under the fitted sheet in the body area. It may be pinned to the fitted sheet from underneath to hold in place––lay the fitted sheet on the bed upside down, decide where towel(s) should be placed, pin as needed, then flip over.
    • The towels may be stitched or basted together edge to edge if you are doing this a lot.

Donations

  1. Donate towels. Veterinarians and animal shelters always need towels, sheets and blankets.
  2. Donate for car washes. Save worn and stained towels to dry your car after washing it. Donate old towels to a church or other nonprofit group to use for fundraising car washes.
    • Cut some towels into convenient sizes for cleaning rags also (see above).

Tips

  • Make your own seam binding from one-inch strips of scrap fabric. Fold in the two raw edges and iron them flat.
  • Before donating old towels, wash them with perfume-free detergent. Use white vinegar or baking soda rather than softener.
  • Follow the instructions that come with the seam binding package.

Things You'll Need

  • Old towels
  • Scissors and pinking shears
  • Matching thread
  • Seam binding
  • Sewing machine

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