10 Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Towels
I’m not sure if it’s the change of season, or the movement toward return to school and routine, but I’ve been feeling a need to declutter. And one of the items that I always seem to have too many of is towels! My family and I are planning a sewing day to create head wraps for use with wet hair that will use up some of my many towels, but it got me thinking – what else could I use my old towels for? Here are 10 ideas to help me (and other towel hoarders!) with our overflowing linen cupboards.
If you’re also looking to declutter, see our past post on eco-friendly ways to dispose of unwanted belongings!
A few ideas to use old towels
- Reusable cleaning rags: Cut your old towels into smaller pieces to create reusable cleaning rags. They’re perfect for wiping down surfaces, cleaning up spills, and tackling household chores without using disposable paper towels.
- Pet comfort: Line your furry friend’s bed or crate with old towels to provide them with cozy bedding. You can also use them to dry off wet pets after a bath or rainy walk.
- Transform your old towels into a stylish beach bag: Sew two towels together (leaving one end open) and add handles for a spacious and absorbent bag to carry your beach essentials.
- Spa-inspired bath mat: Sew or layer several old towels together to create a plush and absorbent bath mat. Choose towels in coordinating colors to match your bathroom decor.
- Kitchen uses: Turn old towels into pot holders, oven mitts, or even dish drying mats. The thickness and absorbency of towels make them ideal for kitchen tasks.
- Car detailing: Keep a few old towels in your car for wiping down surfaces, cleaning windows, and drying your vehicle after a wash. Say goodbye to water spots!
- Gardening helpers: Use old towels as kneeling pads, makeshift gardening gloves, or to transport freshly harvested produce from your garden.
- Arts and crafts: Let your creativity shine by incorporating old towels into your crafting projects. Whether it’s making custom tote bags, cushion covers, or even quirky stuffed animals, the possibilities are endless.
- Donate to shelters: Animal shelters often need towels for bedding and cleaning purposes. Your donation could make a big difference in the comfort of shelter animals.
- Family picnics: Sew a few old towels together to create a picnic blanket that’s not only comfortable to sit on but also easy to clean after your outdoor adventures.
Repurposing old towels is not only a sustainable choice but also a chance to get creative and add a personal touch to your daily routines. Before you embark on your repurposing journey, give your towels a good wash and remove any frayed edges. With a little bit of effort, you can turn those old towels into functional and attractive items that serve you well for years to come. So, dig out those forgotten towels and give them a new lease on life!
What do you do with your old towels?
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12 Comments
Stephanie Francis
Thanks for all of the great tips! I have so many old towels that have piled up and I haven’t had the heart to throw them out, and now I won’t need to. I’m especially excited to try out the beach bag idea. Such a great option for carrying around wet swim suits.
A Sustainably Simple Life
I totally get not having the heart to throw old towels out. I’m so glad there were some helpful ideas! 🙂
Lisa's Notebook
Lots of good ideas here, the picnic blanket is a genius move! We use our old towels for cleaning, for the cats’ baskets, and anything else we donate to pet shelters.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Those are great ideas for using old towels! Thanks for sharing what you do 🙂
Nic's Adventures
Thanks for sharing these uses for old towels, I have donated a few to a local animal shelter and used them on camp for blind folds for an eating game once 🙂
A Sustainably Simple Life
Blind folds for an eating game sounds like it was probably a lot of fun! Thanks for sharing how you’ve been using your old towels 🙂
Caroline
Love these ideas Krista! I’ve honestly never really thought about what to do – I think mainly because we seem to keep using them until they are crispy haha. But, I will definitely share these ideas with my family as my dad has recently purchased new towels x
A Sustainably Simple Life
Towels do last a long time, so that’s totally valid! Great timing for the post and your dad buying new towels though 🙂 Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Kelly Diane
These are some great suggestions. I love the idea of a beach bag. I’ve never really thought about repurposing old towels for myself but I do always donate them to animal shelters when I no longer want them.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Thanks Kelly! Donating to shelters is always a good idea. There’s definitely a need there so it’s awesome that you do that. 🙂
Karalee
These are great ideas on how to reuse old towels! My parents would use old towels for our dogs, and I like the idea of making a bath mat. Also, donating to animal shelters is a lovely idea too.
A Sustainably Simple Life
Using old towels for pets is a perfect idea! 🙂