20 Uses for Tattered Clothing

Do you have t-shirts that seemingly have three arm holes because they are so tattered? Clothes that are so tattered they can’t be donated?   Recycling and reusing clothing that’s too old, worn and torn helps the environment by keeping it out of the landfill and in return you get to save some money on ordinary household items. Here are some ideas to re-use that old clothing.

In the Garden

1. Strip clothing into sheets and lay them out onto the ground before planting a garden.   The strips of clothing will help prevent weeds from peaking up while keeping plant beds warm.
2. Tie strips of clothing into knots and create strong netting for squash and fruit plants. Train plants up a trellis and allow the fruit to lie on top of the netting.  Snagged pantyhose is especially great for this.
3. Use strips of clothing to hold up tomato plants and other vegetable plants that tend to need spiking.
4. Create produce harvest bags to store freshly picked fruits and vegetables.
5. Create smocks to protect clothing from dirt and water during gardening sessions.

In the Kitchen

1. Create oven mitts and coasters from heavier fabrics.
2. Use old towel material to create rags, dish towels or new mop heads.
3. Use scraps of fabric inside the bottom of vases for fake flowers.
4. Create a tablecloth from old fabric scraps.
5. Use lighter cotton fabrics for produce in the fridge to help keep them separated.

In the Bathroom

1. Create bath rags to clean the toilet, sink or tub.
2. Use softer cotton as facial rags or use as exfoliate clothes.
3. Use strips of cotton towels to create a unique bath rug.
4. Line baskets with fine scarves or silk blouses.
5. Glue to canvas and paint over it with acrylic paints for unique textured wall art.

Other Uses

1. Create backseat garbage bags for the car.
2. Use old sheets as practice fabric for pattern pieces
3. Use torn, knotted pieces as clothes line.
4. Create a sensory table with strips of fabric, glue, glitter, buttons and paper for young children.
5. Create dog pee pads for your home from heavily absorbent pieces.