25 New Uses for Bed Sheets, Linens and Pillowcases
If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a pile of old sheets collecting dust in the linen closet. Sure, you’ve found some uses for these textiles. Old blankets come in handy for moving and storage projects. Animal shelters collect old blankets, towels and linens. Sheets make cheap drop cloths and spill rags. And, who doesn’t throw a sheet or towel on the floor when the washer overflows or basement floods after a super-sized rain storm? Indeed, old bed sheets, linens and pillow cases make cleaning up or protecting floors and furniture quick and easy. But, did you know these readily available household items can do so much more?
That’s right, you heard it here first: don’t discard those old sheet and pillow cases just yet. No matter the pressure to downsize and organize. Why? Because outdated, worn and torn bedding can be used for a wide variety of home, garden, and craft projects and save you big bucks in the end. And, your efforts to repurpose these items will save precious resources in the long run, an important step in going green and engaging in sustainable practices.
New Uses for Old Bedding and Linen
Ready to start? Check out these 25 New Uses for Bed Sheets, Linens and Pillowcases. Sure to help you keep your linen closet well-stocked and on high alert for the next home improvement, cleaning and kid-friendly project.
Kids & Families
1. Imaginative Play Projects. Old sheets and linens make great indoor tents and forts. Put some chairs around the room, cover them with old sheets, and your kids will be in heaven.
2. Creative Costumes. Used bedding, blankets and linens can be repurposed for any number of Halloween costumes, talent shows and other school projects. From togas, saris, capes and more, a little nip and tuck and this fabric is transformed.
3. Sewing Projects. Both neutral and colorful sheets can be easily hemmed and used as curtains or valances in your home. These make a relatively cheap sewing projects for kids and adults alike.
4. Laundry Bags. Old sheets or pillowcases can be sewn up the sides to make a laundry bag for your young college student. Turn over the top, insert a 24 inch section (or more) of thin rope, and hem, cutting a slit or opening for the rope tie. Trim rope to desired length and double knot each to ensure against being pulled under the hem.
5. A Day at the Beach. Sheets make excellent ground cover for the beach. They keep the sand off towels and blankets, and make clean up a snap.
6. Goodie Bags and More. Cut pillow cases into 12 inch squares and hem, leaving an opening at the top for colorful, homemade gift bags for your kid’s next party. Add ribbons and appliqués for additional pizzazz.
7. School and Scrapbook Projects. Colorful pillowcases can be cut up into smaller pieces and used in any number of school projects, scrapbooks, and more. Keep a drawer of cut linen organized by color for your kid’s school projects.
8. Doll’s Clothing. Bed linen can be cut and used as fabric for doll’s clothing and more. The fabric is easy to work with and the patterns will make a real fashion statement for Barbie or Ken.
Household Cleaning and Home Improvement
9. Painting and Design Projects. Old sheets, duvets, bed covers and pillow cases provide ready protection for household painting and other design projects. Just throw them on the affected area, tape them down with painter’s tape, and they’re just what you need to keep your valuable floors and furniture good as new.
10. Cleaning Rags. Pillow cases, especially the ones made from make great cleaning rags.
11. Refinishing Rags. Bed sheets make excellent drop cloths for wood and furniture staining projects. Simply lay them on the ground to protect your yard from stain and other chemical spills. They won’t stick to the furniture like paper does. Proper disposal of these rags is important because once the stain is on the rag, they become flammable. Do not wash or reuse. Allow the rags to dry outside on a hanger (away from your home or shed). When dry and stiff, place in garbage bag for regular pick up or collection.
Lawn and Garden
12. Lawn and Vegetable Garden Covers. Trying to grow grass or get sod started? Cut a pillowcase down into smaller pieces to cover your lawn’s newly seeded areas. Secure cloth with garden stakes. Bed sheets make great covers for Spring vegetables to protect them from the lingering cold weather.
13. Vegetable Garden Ties. Torn rags can be used to tie up tomato plants and more.
14. Outdoor furniture covers. Bed sheets make excellent covers for outdoor furniture and other storage items during the long winter months. Cover with plastic for added protection from the elements.
15. Grease Rags. Cut up sheets and pillowcases make great grease rags. Fold them and store them in a bucket (in an outdoor shed, not in the home) so they’re ready when you are. While used rags are not as combustible as, say, refinishing rags, you still need to be super careful. Consult with the experts at your local fire department or auto dealership for information on proper disposal and handling.
16. Home and Garden Flags. Love the pattern but not sure what to do with that old twin sheet? Hem it and make an outdoor flag. Cut two slits on either end for the pole. Make sure you leave enough room in your hem for the flag pole. Lightly starch and iron as needed.
17. Outdoor Lantern Covers. Cut sheets and pillowcases make great covers for outdoor lanterns in between use. Make sure the lantern is completely out and cool to touch. Tie covers tight so they don’t blow away.
18. Dog House Bedding. Old blankets can be cut down and used in outdoor dog houses to keep Fido warm and dry. Wash or discard as needed.
Around the Home
19.Table Cloths and Runners. Traditional and modern prints make pretty table cloths and runners. Cut the bed sheets and hem as needed. Starch and iron to give the cloth needed stiffness.
20. Exercise Equipment Covers. Old bedsheets make excellent covers for your exercise equipment and home gym. Pull and launder the sheets every month to keep dust at bay.
21. Old Fashioned Rag Rugs. Crafters use cut up bed sheets to crochet into rag rugs. Keep a basket of rags handy for your next rag rug project.
22. Quilt Backing. Crafters also use sheets and pillow cases as backing for quilts.
23. Creative Gift Wrap. Cut up bed sheets and pillowcases make great gift wrap. Cut had hem thin strips of patterned bed linen for homemade ribbons.
24. Guest Towels. Company coming? 18″ x 6″ inches of linen fabric may be hemmed to use as guest towels in the bathroom. Easy to use and launder once company is gone.
25. Dog Bed. Tired of paying big bucks for a new dog bed? Old blankets can be cut down, trimmed off, stuffed and stitched for a homemade dog bed. Fido will love it!
RESOURCES
Bed Linens 101
Martha Stewart (April / May 1992)
Repurposing Old Sheets
Chez Larsson (February 1, 2010)
Scrapbook Ideas & Supplies
www.scrapbook.com
US Textile Museum
www.textilemuseum.org
