What To Do With Old Pillowcases (Here's What You Can Do)
Pillowcases are a part of our bed linens and help protect our pillow, giving us a comfortable place to rest our heads. But, when pillowcases and linens start to become old and thin, what can you do with them? It turns out there are several uses for old pillowcases once they no longer work as a part of your bed linens.
Old pillowcases are great to use around the house to help with storage, cleaning, and cooking. You can also make several DIY crafts with old pillowcases, brightening your home. Pillowcases may be donated on occasion, or animal shelters will happily take old pillowcases.
Because pillowcases are so functional, there are countless uses for them in your house. You can use them to store old shoes and sweaters or make creative chair covers and napkins from old pillowcases. It is always best to think of ways to reuse or recycle your pillowcases before you resort to throwing them away in the trash. Not only does reusing a pillowcase save you money, but it prevents unnecessary waste from filling a landfill with trash.
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Can I Donate Old Pillowcases?
Donating pillowcases is an excellent way to minimize your contribution to a landfill and potentially help another person in need. Be careful when selecting your charity to donate old pillowcases too. Some charities will gladly accept linens like towels, blankets, sheets, and pillowcases, but other organizations will not take linens because of their potential to spread pests, bacteria, or disease.
The last thing charitable organizations want to do is inadvertently spread bacteria or a pest to a person in need. Always call your organization, like Goodwill or The Salvation Army, ahead of time to confirm they’ll be able to take your used pillowcases.
Do Animal Shelters Need Pillowcases?
If you cannot donate your old pillowcases to a charitable organization, consider taking your old pillowcases to an animal shelter. Many animal shelters will gladly accept the old linens to use with the animals. The animal shelter may cut up the pillowcases to use as rags or make DIY dog beds for the animals. Just because you can no longer use a pillowcase doesn’t mean they are useless. Donating your pillowcases to an animal shelter can help make a homeless pet a little more comfortable.
Can I Throw Away Old Pillowcases?
There is nothing hazardous or toxic in your pillowcases, so it is entirely possible to throw them away with the trash simply. It is always best to find an alternative use before trashing your pillowcases to minimize your impact on the earth. Consider donating the pillowcases or reusing them throughout your home or in a fun new craft or project. Pillowcases are versatile and can be used in various applications.
Are Pillow Cases Recyclable?
Because most pillowcases are made with natural fibers and textiles, they are usually recyclable. You won’t be able to recycle your pillowcases with your usual plastic, metal, and glass, though, so be sure to do a little extra homework to find the right recycling center. You’ll want to look for a specific fabric and textile recycling center to take your old pillowcases. Remember to call ahead of time to ensure they can accept your pillowcases and have room to take them.
How Can I Use an Old Pillowcase Around the House?
Using old pillowcases to help lighten your chore load around the house is a fantastic idea. Once old pillowcases no longer work for your bedding linens, consider using them to help with chores. Some great ideas to use old pillowcases around the house include:
- Sweater Storage – Keeping your sweaters stored during the summer is easy when you use old pillowcases. The old pillowcases will help to keep your sweaters organized and dust-free in your closet.
- Dust Rag – Try cutting your old pillowcases into smaller pieces to use them as rags for dusting and cleaning. When the rag is dirty, simply throw it in the laundry and reuse it! Pillowcases are thin enough to help you dust in even hard-to-reach places and can work well with conventional cleaning products.
- Cheesecloth – Cheesecloth on hand is rare, but many recipes, like making homemade cheese, require cheesecloth. An old pillowcase can work just as well for the recipe. Pillowcases are thin enough to let liquid pass through, maintaining the solids inside.
- Protect Shoes – If you have dress shoes you rarely wear, try storing your shoes inside a pillowcase. The shoes will stay protected and dust-free until you need them next.
- Storage – A pillowcase functions perfectly well as a giant sack to store items in at the end of the day. Keep your belongings organized by storing them in old pillowcases, which are also easy to transport from place to place.
What Can I Make with an Old Pillowcase?
Sometimes our bed linens, including pillowcases, have beautiful prints and patterns on them that look pretty around the home. It is possible to repurpose your pillowcases, transforming them into fun, yet functional, crafts for your home. Some great craft ideas to make with old pillowcases include:
- Napkins – By using your old pillowcases, you may be able to craft some cute and fun cloth napkins. Just cut your pillowcases to the desired napkin size and hem the border to prevent fraying.
- Chair Covers – Pillowcases can slip onto the back of most dining room chairs, giving your chairs an instant update. Add a cute bow or ribbon to gather the pillowcases tightly on the back of the chair.
- Tote – Using just a few extra materials and some basic sewing know-how, you’ll be able to add a few cloth handles and transform your old pillowcase into a practical tote. Having a cloth tote to carry to the store, gym, or library is convenient and eco-friendly.
- Dryer Sheets – Dryer sheets purchased at the store can be really expensive, but you can make your own using old pillowcases. Cut and sew small pouches and stuff with dried herbs, like lavender, to throw into your dryer with your clothes. The DIY dryer sheets can be re-stuffed, giving you a green and affordable way to make your clothing smell great.
- Dog Bed – If you have a small dog, making a pillowcase dog bed is a breeze. Just stuff the pillowcase and stitch the end closed. You’ll get to reuse your old pillowcase and give your pup a comfy space to relax.
- Children’s Dress – Creating a small child’s dress from a pillowcase is an easy and fun way to reuse an old pillowcase. Just cut a small hole at the closed end for the head, and add some elastic or drawstring to the top. Cut holes for the arms, stitch up loose seams, and you’ll have a practical and adorable dress for a child.
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Related Questions
How often should I change my pillowcase?
Your pillowcase absorbs your bacteria and dirt as you sleep, so it tends to get a little dirtier than the rest of the linens on your bed. It is a good practice to change your pillowcase about every three to six days, even if you wait a week between changing the sheets. By regularly changing your pillowcase, you’ll be able to keep your bedroom healthier, reducing the number of germs and allergens floating around.
Why don’t some charities take pillowcases?
Unfortunately, some charities will not take linens, like pillowcases, because they are concerned with transferring germs, bacteria, and pests. Like other linens, pillowcases can be a breeding ground for infectious germs which could infect another house or person. Many charities are against taking linen as a donation to keep people protected. However, even if your local charity doesn’t take the pillowcases, it may still be possible to donate them to an animal shelter.
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