We are looking for all the practical uses for old towels that are no longer in good enough shape to use in the bathroom.
The first thing that I think of is using them for dust cloths. You could also cut out pieces that fit the bottom of your dining room/kitchen chairs and glue them on so they don't scratch the floor. Cut them out and put under your floor plants just in case you have a leak.
Craft with them. I bought tiny wire hangers (you could make them yourself too) and then cut pieces out. Attached lace to the bottoms and glued onto the hangers. Really cute for a bathroom decoration! (01/03/2001)
By jpmrlin
Cut them down and use for dust rags or dishrags. When they are no longer suitable for dishrags, use them as grease rags when when working. Can be washed and re-used or simple throw them away. (01/03/2001)
By gizmo81795
I use mine for dust rags. Also, my husband find uses for them in the garage. (01/03/2001)
Old handtowels can make those really cute baby bibs you find at baby stores now. I'm sure you could find how to make them on-line. These make great gifts as the bibs are larger than usual and don't allow messy/stained clothes. (01/03/2001)
By jupitersky
I cut them into smaller pieces and use them to wipe my baby off. They are soft and can be washed and used again and again. (01/03/2001)
Animal shelters are usually needing old towels especially when it is cold where the animals don't have to sleep on the cement floor. (01/03/2001)
Cut and sew into squares, stuff with herbs from the garden or herbs/spices that are expired and are hiding in your pantry (you know you have some!) Use as a hot mat, or sachet in drawers/closets, depending upon the scent you use. (01/03/2001)
By one_ramp
Almost forgot - I used one holey towel to make a terry robe and matching "towel" for one of my daughter's dolls. (01/03/2001)
By one_ramp
I had an old beach towel that had sentimental value, but was wasting away. I cut it up into dishtowels and washcloths, then hemmed the edges to make them look nice. On some older towels I just cut them up and use in the kitchen. I change my kitchen towels and washrag daily so I need a lot of these. The rest go to my husband to use as cloths to wash our cars with, the others as rags for a little of everything. (01/03/2001)
By JDShadwick
Your local animal shelters need old towels and old blankets. Keep those puppies from sleeping on the cold concrete and dry them after their bath, they will be greatly appreciated, believe me. (01/03/2001)
We donate old towels and blankets to the local animal shelter. They can always use them. (01/03/2001)
oujisan
This will depend on the size of the towel, but I have cut down an old bath sheet towel into several face cloths, if the material is too thin cut 2-3 pieces out of the towel into the same size, then you have nice cleaning cloths. (You could also do this with the face cloths become too thin to use, just sew 2 or three together). Also if it is just the selvages that start to fray just machine stitch them, and you can still use them as towels. If there is just a little hole in one spot, use part of another old towel or facecloth and applique a fun patch on it (like a flower or a sail boat) and you still have a usable towel. Bibs, can be made for seniors or children, and a terry apron made out of a towel (side ways) and a band (of any fabric or even braid if you have some on hand) to tie at the waist is handy to wipe your hands on while you cook and at the same time keeps your clothes clean. You could also use part of a towel to make one of the towels you hang from a drawer in the kitchen, Just make a solid piece of material at the top with a button and button hole to use to hang it where you'd use it. Hope these are useful to someone. (01/03/2001)
Pat
I have cut them apart so I have saved the good piece. Sew a ribbon across the short end and it makes a great bib for a baby or for an elderly person. It then goes into the washer and dryer. No muss, no fuss. Old bath towels make a great drying cloth for my puppy. I have a 5 pound Yorkie and it fits her to a tee. (01/03/2001)
Judy
We save old towels for washing/drying our van. Saves money on car washes too, by washing it yourself! We also keep them to donate to our annual Church Car Wash Fundraiser, that our children participate in for our CCD program. Perhaps you could check with your church, boy scouts, etc. to see if they need them for their car washes. Just think, you save money yourself AND help others save/raise money for a good cause too! (01/04/2001)
By kmarsh4
I taught my daughter to do some basic sewing using old towels. She sewed a simple bath mitt. I think you could probably do some cute animal-shaped bath mits for children with old towels. (01/04/2001)
By suesorensen
I cut them into squares and hem them and use them for face cloths, dish cloths, general clothes around the house that can be washed, better for the environment then disposal cloths. When my children were babies, I would fill a plastic bag with wet wash cloths and they could be used for sticky, messy faces and hands and nappy changes! Great when out and about! When no water was available! Another use, they can be used to make pot holders. For the middle use a few layers then cover with fabric ! (01/04/2001)
Kind Regards Sherrie !
If they are really old they don't leave lint and can be use for dust rags. but they have to be really old for this. They make great rags for washing and drying the car. They are pretty soft by then. I keep a supply in the laundry room just for spills. they absorb quickly. (01/04/2001)
JoAnne
Cut into washcloths and zigzag ends. I use mine to make soaker pads for my son's diapers. There is a great site, www.diapersewing.com, that can help people make their own diapers. (01/04/2001)
CJ
Know how you like to have your face washed of a morning, well, so does my Black Lab, so we cut the old towels into 4's and wash his face every morning with a clean doggie wash rag, no hemming required. (01/04/2001)
Julia
We volunteer at a local humane society, and there is always a crying need for old towels there. They will accept any and all you have to give, and it will be a tremendous help! (01/04/2001)
Harry and Sue
Old towels and sheets can be donated to your local animal shelter. Shelters are always in need of these items. Thanks (01/04/2001)
Kelly, CT
I received so many smaller thinner towels that my mom had saved up (she was a saver). They were too small for bath towels so I now use them inside my kitchen drawers and closet shelves. Some I use to dry my dishes on. Good ole' mom helping out long after she's gone. (01/04/2001)
L.U.C.
Uses for old towels
1. Cut out the good sections as fingertip towels.
2. Use as car washing rags.
3. If toilet overflow is a problem, keep old towels in a handy place in the bathroom for quick absorption.
4. Cut out good parts as washcloths; zigzag edges
5. Use as a mat to step out of the shower onto.
6. Use as a mat in the shower.
7. Cut into smaller sections for grease and paint rags.
8. Use small pieces to scour the sink.
9. Use a small section to wipe water off the vanity.
10. The best of worn towels still often can be used as camp towels.
11. Keep a towel in the car to clean the windshield of accumulated dust.
12. Use as window washing rags.
13. Use small portions as floor scrubbing cloths.
14. Pin over the head of a broom to wipe cobwebs off the ceiling.
15. Worn towels are still good enough to wash walls.
16. Cut potholder size pieces from the best sections and stitch 4 or 5 layers between two pieces of fabric creating potholders.
17. Roll up as a draft chaser at the bottom of a door.
18. Wipe wet or muddy feet of the dog after she has been outside.
19. Use as dog washing towels.
20. Use as a small drop cloth. ~ (01/04/2001)
Charlotte
Old towels (sheets and blankets) are very much needed at animal shelters. They are used for everything including the animals bedding. Please consider collecting these items - even if you see them at thrift stores and donating them to your local shelters. (01/05/2001)
I use an old towel when I dye my hair. I've also used an old towel to use when changing a baby on a surface I want to protect, but I don't have a changing table. (01/05/2001)
One use for old towels is to cut them into whatever size you would like, then sew them into a cylinder. Before closing the last edge, fill approximately 1/2 full of uncooked white rice. After you've finished sewing the towel together, microwave for 3-5 minutes and you have a heating pad that will last for hours and is completely reusable. (01/13/2001)
Old towels can be cut to make cleaning rags and old blankets can be used as batting for the inside of a new quilt but my favorite way to recycle them is to take them to the dog rescue people to be use as mats for inside cages or sleeping areas.
(10/03/2004)
By Debra in Colorado
I keep all ours and put them on the living room sofa and chairs, as the cats like to sleep on the furniture. I know it defeats the object of having nice things to cover them up, but at least it keeps the muddy paws and shed fur off them. Can be slung in the wash every couple of days too (towels not cats - oops!). (10/04/2004)
By Pat
By Syd (12/30/2004)
By ThriftyFun
I'd think twice before I used them for pillow covering for small babies. Babies younger than 1 year should never be put to bed with a pillow or a blanket in the bed with them. Use blanket sleepers instead. It keeps them warmer than a blanket because they can't kick them off like they do a blanket. I know pillows are really cute but they are a suffocation risk for small infants. We have been told in the child care industry to never use anything in the crib with an infant. (12/30/2004)
By Sonya Yoder
I use my old towels to wrap around the bristles of a broom and sweep the floor. It's kinda like a dust mop. I also do this and clean cob webs down from around the ceiling. (12/30/2004)
By Carol
I save all my old towels (sheet and blankets also) to take to the local animal shelter. They have many uses for them and are always grateful to get them. (12/31/2004)
I put old towels in the trunk of my car. When I wash it at the car wash, they are handy to wipe the windows dry without spots! From time to time I take them out and wash them. Much cheaper than buying the disposable paper towels at the car wash! (12/31/2004)
By Alica
I cut them to the size of dish towels, wash them and all the fuzz is gone. Now you don't have to hem them. (01/01/2005)
By Nancy
If you ask me towels are the most useful thing in the universe. You can use them for shade or even to cool down a beer, ummm beeer (01/05/2006)
By jakd
Donate the recycled washcloths to a shelter for abused women.
Use them as swimming towels instead of buying expensive, beautiful! swimming towels. If lost, it will not be so hard on your budget to replace them. (03/30/2006)
By Carol
Cut them, braid each strip and sew them all together to make a rug. (10/05/2006)
By Courtney
We used to make pillow cases out of old towels which are nice in the summer and also for use on the couch. you can also make reusable menstrual pads out of flannel or terrycloth or some combination. it's comfortable and better for the environment. (05/20/2007)
By Liz p.
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