Recycle Fabric to Save Bucks!

Re: How do I recycle clothing?

1) Cleaning rags. Use the soft items to make into cleaning clothes. I make mine about 12x12 and stuff them into a bag to keep them neat. I also moved my paper towel dispenser to the inside of the cabinet where I keep the rags. This reminds me to use the rags instead of paper towels whenever possible.

2) Save the seams and sew them into a long strip. Then crochet or knit the strips into rag rugs. You can use polyester scraps but try to keep the cotton at least 75% of the rug so it is absorbent.

3) Cut old jeans and make shopping bags, car seat covers, furniture throws and pet beds. These sell very well at Farmer's Markets and Street Fairs.

4) Cut down on kitchen cleaning by covering all your counter top appliances with individual "cozies". When the covers look dingy, toss them in the wash.

5) Cotton prints make beautiful patchwork quilts. Make the quilt in 2x2 foot blocks and work on them while watching TV or during waiting time.

6) Use fabric blocks to sew book covers in assorted sizes to protect books from spills and hand oils. Even paperbacks benefit from having a book cover while you are reading it.

7) Use bright scraps to add embellishments to other clothing. Add a tiny faux pocket to a plain sweater or a bright red collar to a black shirt. Add fancy patches to jeans to cover stains!

8) Sew funny teeshirts into pillows for the floor or sofa.

9) Recycle lacy lingerie into sachets stuffed with potpourri to keep linen closets and drawers smelling nice.

10) Keep a bag of rags in your car in case you have to change a tire or need a little traction in the snow.

11) Make your own hot pads, trivets and oven mitts from scraps.

-Vic in Seattle