Whether they’re vintage, torn, stained, or too small, we often have a lot of old sheets around the house that we no longer use. Yet there are many ways to upcycle them! Here are our favorites.
Practical Things You Can Make From Old Sheets
Your sheet sets are still in good condition? Don’t hesitate to donate them to charities (the Red Cross, the Salvation Army…). You’ll give them a second life… as bedding! If they’re in bad shape, it’s better to transform them.
Cutting Old Sheets into Cleaning Rags
The simplest trick: you can cut squares of about 12×12 inches from your sheets to make cleaning rags, which you can wash and reuse as much as you like.
Repurposing Old Sheets for Kids
Do you have kids? Reuse the sheets and duvet covers in their room! They can use them as a base to build forts or as costumes. A plain white sheet is perfect for the classic ghost costume. A hole in a brown sheet becomes a knight tunic.
With a table or a few sticks, you can make a tipi or a little cabin, in the yard or in the bedroom… and you can even decorate the sheet with paint!
Repurposing an Old Sheet for the Garden
You can use the fabric to cover your plants during a light frost. It’s perfect for protecting them and saves you from buying garden fleece.
Making Bags from Old Sheets
Do you have a sewing machine? You can use the sheet fabric to make bags! Create simple square patterns. With lightweight fabric (linen, etc.), you can make reusable grocery totes for your shopping trips. If you have sheets with pretty patterns, you can turn them into tote bags for going out.
Another idea, you can reuse pretty sheets to make furoshiki, fabric gift wraps that are reusable. When you craft your fabric gift wrap and want to prevent fraying, cut the edges with pinking shears.
Turning Fabric Strips into Yarn for Knitting
Have a bit of free time and know how to knit? Use this old fabric to make strips of yarn! Cut the sheet lengthwise into strips about 2 cm wide. Tie them together to form skeins. Then grab jumbo knitting needles to create whatever you want! For example, you could make a rug for the bathroom or bedroom.
Repurposing Embroidered Sheets
Old embroidered sheets you’ve inherited from grandparents or found at a flea market may not be usable as-is anymore. Highlight the embroidery by repurposing them. Depending on your sewing skill, you could create:
- Table napkins or fabric handkerchiefs;
- Lavender sachets;
- Pillow covers;
- Little linen pouches for laundry.
Protecting Surfaces for DIY Projects
When your drapes are really worn, you can reuse them to protect the floor while you paint surfaces. You can also slip them into your car to protect the seats if you’re transporting dirty items, or lay them on the floor in case of a breakdown or a flat tire.
Using a White Old Sheet as a Movie Screen
If you have a white old sheet, give it a good ironing and it can serve as a screen for your movies, indoors or outdoors! With a projector connected to your computer, it will turn your evenings into cinema nights.
Also read
A flawless bed for a good night’s sleep – Tips and tricks
