Used clothing not good enough for thrift shop - Page 2

[prescottchels]

I just made scads of cloth tp squares out of old t-shirts, anything that's cotton or 50/50 works great and stains don't really matter if you're just wipin your tush, right?

[EnviroBecca]

Handkerchiefs! I've even made them out of old panties (cotton) by cutting the largest possible square out of the back. Recently, when I cut up some old shirts, I stuffed the odd bits (too small to make good hankies, or weird shapes) into an empty tissue box next to the bed, and we now use them for ummm, y'know, cleanup. Much better than tissues, they do not fall apart and stick to you! These small, thin cloths get very clean in the laundry even though I use cold water.

[Phoenix_Rising]

Originally Posted by Toolip

I cut the elastic off my cotton undies and throw them in the compost heap.

Really? I never thought of that. How long would you say it takes to compost?

Originally Posted by philomom

I bury mine in the garden. It keeps the weeds from coming up in the mulch-y areas.

That's a great idea!

[Live Free Or Die]

another great use for stained clothing is using it for tye dying or batik! Especially for kids just learning

[Melhow36]

I think the garden idea is awesome - I've been using mine like a biodegradable weed barrier...

[QueeTheBean]

Can this be made into a sticky??

I have a bag full of boy's pants--hems all ragged and knees with holes (patched, but messy looking). I love the idea of using them in the garden to stop weeds. But what about the zippers/snaps? What can be done with them?

[QueeTheBean]

I thought of something really good: drawstring shoe bags (for travelling). I think these could be made easily--esp. out of pants.

a few links

http://www.craftideas.info/html/shoe_bag.html


http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/shoe-bags

[Nitenites]

Rag rugs!! Google it, and you'll find lots of instructions.

[MissSJ]

My mom worked at her local Goodwill and she told me they send the clothes they can't sell because of stains or holes somewhere in Africa. Maybe talk to your local Goodwill, they may do the same.

SJ

[Rebecca]

I send the zillions of tee shirts we manage to accumulate to my cousin who builds fiberglass boats. He can only wear each shirt once (or twice?) because it gets full of glass fiber dust.

And with the boy's ragged pants? Make cut-offs or hem them into shorts.

[granola_mom]

If they're made of natural materials, use it for mulch, covered in some compost or other organic matter.