Ideas for Recycling Old Bed Sheets

May be, the desire behind recycling your old bed sheets stems from going green or, may be, it stems from recent budget changes.

Whatever the motive, the following craft ideas will help you recycle these items and give them a new life.

Laundry Bags
For those delicate items that don't need to be placed in the washing machine unprotected.

Materials needed:
Old sheet
Cord
Scissors
Sewing machine
Thread

Directions:
1. Cut up the sheet in several pieces. Make sure to cut them double the size needed, so that all you will need to do is fold the piece and sew on two sides only.

2. When the pieces have been cut, sew the two lengths in order to create a bag.

3. Fold the border about 1 inch inside the side that is still open. It is better to use a sewing machine to sew the border all around while leaving openings on one side of the pillowcase. If a sewing machine is not available, you may stitch by hand using the backstitch.

4. Once done with the sewing, thread the cord through one of the openings and run it all the way around until it exits from the other opening.

5. Secure the ends of the cord to make sure they will not get lost inside the sewn border.

When you are ready to use it, place the items you want to safely wash and pull the cord to close the bag. Tie a knot that will not get undone in the wash, yet it will be easy to open once the wash is done.

Dish Towels
If the sheet is made of pure cotton, you may also choose to make dish towels out of it from the parts of sheet that are not worn out.

Materials needed:
Old sheet
Sewing machine
Needle and thread
Ribbon
Scissors

Directions:
1. Cut the sheet in pieces large enough to create dish towels.

2. With the sewing machine, create a border all the way around to avoid fraying.

3. Cut a piece of ribbon long enough to make a loop.

4. Secure the ends of the loop at one corner of the dishcloth using either the sewing machine or the backstitch.

Another use for a sheet completely made out of cotton is to turn some pieces into dust rags.

Protective Pillow Covers
Old sheets, made of mixed materials, may also be cut up to create protective pillow coverings. Sometimes, a pillowcase is not enough to keep the pillow clean from regular use. Using an extra protective layer will keep the pillow fresh longer.

Directions:
1. Measure the pillow you want to cover and then cut the sheet into a piece large enough to cover the pillow, taking into consideration its fluffiness.

2. Sew the lengths of the fabric to form the cover.

3. Use buttons or a zipper to create the closing.

Baby Blanket Backing
An old sheet may also be used as a backing to a baby blanket, so that the sheet, and not the fleece or wool of the blanket, comes in contact with the baby's skin.

Directions:
1. Cut a piece of sheet about ½ inch larger than the blanket.

2. Carefully fold the extra border on the inside, between the blanket and the sheet and stitch it all the way around to secure all four sides.

Old sheets can find a new life when cut and modified to create new items to use around the house. All you need is a bit of imagination.