Towels are, undoubtedly, one of those essential household items that are needed every day. However, once these start to show the signs of wear and tear and lose their fluffiness, these end up in the trash bin. Those with a sustainable mindset and a little creativity can surely give their old towels a new lease of life, making them eco-friendly, practical and beautiful items of everyday use. With upcycling or creative reuse of items, it can be easy to reduce waste and live a more conscious lifestyle. Take a look at the 5 creative ways how old towels can be upcycled and made ready for use in another way.
You will find it quite easy to cut old towels into reusable cleaning rags. Old towels are still found to be quite sturdy and absorbent, which makes them perfect for drying up dishes or hands, scrubbing surfaces and handling spills. These can easily be cut into rectangles of squares of a preferred size. If you want to make them last longer and look neat, you can use fabric glue or a simple running stitch to hem the edges.
You can simply store these rags in a basket in your laundry area or under the kitchen sink. That way, you will always have an eco-friendly washable alternative to regular paper towels. This can be an economical and environmentally responsible approach. With this upcycling technique, you can easily reduce your household waste, contribute to the betterment of the environment and save money on disposable products.
You will also love to transform your old towels into a comfortable bed for your pets. Pets love to sleep on warm, soft textures and you can give them just that with old towels. Old towels are highly absorbent, can be cleaned up easily and can easily be repurposed into beds or cushions of different shapes and sizes.
You can roll or fold multiple towels together, or sew them, to make a proper structure. You can also use old pillow filling or scrap fabric to stuff the inside and ensure more comfort for your pets. In this way, you can make a sustainable, comfortable bed for your pet and avoid buying a commercial pet bed that may get worn out quickly. You can also manage to save money in the process.
You can also upcycle your old towels to make eco-conscious bath mats for your bathroom. It will be undoubtedly more absorbent than many readymade versions that you can buy from stores out there. You can also embroider or stitch different pieces and custom-design your towel bath mat. to personalize it for your own use. You can also cut towel into strips and braid or weave them into rectangular or circular patterns, for a fancier version.
With this technique, you can get a luxurious, textured rug that will easily soak up water and get dry faster. You will also experience a better feel under your feet. You can also upcycle your old towels and create lovely, handmade gifts for eco-conscious friends or for guests who come to your housewarming party.
With multiple old towels, you can also make a colorful beach blanket or full-sized picnic blanket. To do this, sew 2 – 3 matching towels side by side. You can get a washable, thick travel-friendly blanket to be used outdoors.
You can also add a waterproof layer, such as an old plastic tablecloth or vinyl, to make your blanket even more functional. In this way, you can make sure that your blanket will not soak up any moisture from the ground that you sleep on. You can also add a handle or strap to get a reusable, foldable blanket that can be taken anywhere.
With upcycled towels, you can also made pot holders, dish-drying mats and more with old towels, which are quite thick for these purposes. You can stitch these to make heatproof accessories that can keep your countertops and hands stay safe. For more insulation, you can just double up the layers. If you wish to make your creations look more charming, use decorative cotton fabric on the outside.
Old towels can also be used to make dish-drying mats that can help you to dry the surfaces where you keep wet vegetables and clean dishes. If you love fabric crafting, you may even like to make hand towels or washable napkins with upcycled, repurposed towels.
Upcycling old towels can help you to live a more sustainable lifestyle. It is a great way to reduce landfill waste, give your creativity something to work on and of course, save money in the process. Plus, you will love to enjoy the satisfaction of using handmade items that are the products of your own imagination and effort.
