It’s nice to freshen up your bedroom with new sheets every now and then, but what do you do with your old sheets?
When brainstorming eco-friendly ways to reuse old linens, you might want to think of bed sheets as your “big all-purpose cloth.” When your linen gets a little worn out and no longer comfortable for a good night’s sleep, you can quickly turn it into a variety of other useful items.
From making picnic blankets to plant warmers to bags, here are 10 genius ways to reuse and reuse bed sheets to keep them out of landfills.
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take a sheet for a picnic
There’s no need to spend a fortune on a fancy picnic blanket when you have perfectly good bed sheets in your closet. Bring it along as a belly band for your next outdoor meal, and fold the sheet a few times for extra coverage if the ground is a little wet. (Or bring two and stack them.)
make a sheet fort
Too cold or wet to play outside? Give your kids a pile of sheets and challenge them to build the world’s biggest fort. make best in the world It will cost anything many of time. Don’t forget to provide the kids with extra pillows that can reinforce the fabric walls of the fort. clothespins Helps prevent sheets from shifting!
Of course, building the building is just the beginning. Once your secret hideout is complete, you can gather together to tell spooky stories, have an indoor picnic, watch a shadow puppet show, or even camp out overnight. And when the fort comes down, use the sheets as dress-up costumes.
Save sheets to use as packaging materials
Packaging materials such as bubble wrap and expanded polystyrene are wasteful and have a negative impact on the environment and human health. And it can be expensive if you need it in large quantities. But old bed sheets can be reused over and over again, allowing you to get the job done without harming the planet. And it’s free!
Large sheets can be folded into several layers to create a thick cushion for fragile items, or to prevent scratches during transportation. Save pillowcases for smaller items like glasses, small picture frames, and trinkets. Stuff sheets into the corners of the box to prevent loose items from cluttering up. You can also add it as a top layer to secure items before taping the box.
Three words: Instant Movie Screen
There’s nothing like watching a movie outside on a warm summer night. Hang a large sheet between two trees and use it as a projector screen under the stars. If the sheet is a little wrinkled, iron it first to get a smoother image.
Don’t have a projector? No problem. Search for cheap used items on eBay or Craigslist, or ask your neighbors and invite them to the movies. You can also check for rentals from local schools and rec centers.
Wrap your gifts with zero waste
Sure, the wrapping paper looks great. The gift recipient has about 5 seconds to tear it up and throw it in the trash. Instead, cut the sheet into wrapping paper-sized squares. pinking scissors Achieve beautiful edges that won’t fray.
Fold and secure the sheet as you would wrapping paper. safety pin In the corner. Alternatively, place the gift item in the center of the sheet, gather the edges at the top, and tie the whole thing together with ribbon or ribbon. twine. stamp and non-toxic paint It can be used to make wrapping more festive and makes a great holiday project for kids.
Give your dog old sheets
It’s no secret that pets love warm, cozy places to burrow and snuggle. But for your furry friend, it doesn’t matter whether his cuddly blanket came new from the pet store or used from the linen closet. The sheets can also be used to refill pet beds.
If you don’t have a dog or cat, you can always donate the sheets to your local animal shelter. Evacuation centers are always in short supply of supplies, so they will be put to good use.
Use old sheets to reduce paper waste
Old sheets cut into squares are an eco-friendly alternative to many disposable products. Use a rag instead of paper towels. Use it for cleaning and mopping floors. Keep some in the garage for cleaning dirty hands and shoes.
Turn the sheet into a shopping tote
Instantly transform your pillowcase into a reusable shopping bag without any hassle. It can also be used at the grocery store as an alternative to plastic produce bags and plastic containers in the bulk aisle. To turn it into an easy-to-carry tote bag, just sew on some handles and you’re ready to go. ready mom Here are some easy instructions for making a great-looking tote bag.
make a draft catcher
Drafty doors and windows not only make your home uncomfortable in the winter, they also make your heating system work harder than necessary. You can stuff scraps of old sheets into drafty corners to block out cold air, or make an easy-to-make draft catcher. Cut the sheet into squares or rectangles, sew three sides together, fill with rice or dried beans, and sew together. The last side.
After 30 seconds in the microwave, the Mini Draft Catcher also doubles as a great hand warmer to keep in your coat pocket or in a warmer for sore muscles. Always test the warmer with your fingers before grabbing it with your whole hand, as it may get too hot.
cover cold plants
Cover fall vegetables and flowers with old bed sheets to protect them from unseasonably chilly nights. The sheets trap any remaining heat in the ground, keeping your plants warm and helping them survive a little longer.
Do you have any good ideas for reusing old bed sheets?
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on December 13, 2014 and updated in December 2024.
