Earthfriendly Ways to Reuse or Recycle Old Clothes
EducationEarthfriendly Ways to Reuse or Recycle Old Clothes
When last year's fashions have become fauxpaux, when kids are outgrowing their outfits every few months, and when those jeans are finally a size too big because the diet actually worked for once, then it's time to do something with all those old clothes. Goodwill will give you a tax write-off if you spend a tedious amount of time itemizing every stitch, and second-hand thrift shops might give you a coupon for in-store discounts. Consignment is another trade-in option that may earn 50-percent in cash after donated items sell. These are all excellent environmental examples of ways to recycle unused clothing, but what about clothes that are too tattered or stained to be worn again?
Consider cleaning up with old clothes. Cut them into pieces of varying sizes and shapes to make custom rags. Put some in the garage for wiping your hands while gardening and doing oil changes, Keep some in the kitchen under the sink for mopping up food spills, some in your cleaning closet, and put a few in your laundry area for detergent spills. Holey socks make excellent dusting rags; spray the toes and insert your hand to reach all the nooks and crannies. Sheets are good drop-cloths for painting projects. Keep recycling these rags, washing and drying them in the laundry unless you've mopped up something particularly nasty and need to properly dispose of it. Simple Green is a good product for laundering dirty rags.
Craft a new creation with colorful clothes. Turn old T-shirts into earth-friendly rugs https://knoji.com/make-your-own-earthfriendly-floor-rug/ by cutting them into strips of "yarn" and crocheting them into a washable welcome mat. Shrink old wool sweaters in the dryer after a hot water wash, making felt for flowers or whimsical jewely. Sew a scarf from a long pant-leg, a new purse with built-in pockets and a zipper from jeans, a cloth baby doll with button-eyes, or slippers made out of sleeves. Contribute more creative ideas below!
Clothing cut-outs in the kitchen. Thin strips of clean fabric can be used like string to hold a roast together. Strain jelly or other liquid through slightly porous material. Tie your own tea sachets. Make a cloth coffee filter. Decorate canning jars with circles of cloth between the ring and the rim. Craft a cloth sack to contain plastic bags. Use tiny scraps to detail the grout around your sink and faucets, tossing them when done; it's better than using paper towels.
A snag, hole, rip, or stain shouldn't put interesting material on death row. Stand back and look at the item with new eyes. See the second-chances in that pile of pitiful castoffs. Old clothing is like old cats: Both have nine lives.