Seven Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Towels

Aside from cleaning rags and car washing use, there are useful purposes for old towels that can extend their life for years. The following ten creative ways to repurpose old towels are among the simplest to utilize.

Bath Rug

Creating a bath rug from old towels is a great way to give useful purpose to these items. One method uses old towels and rug hook canvas mesh. The other method uses an old bath towel and the fabric of your choice.

Bolster Pillow

This simple way to reuse towels also adds to the décor of your home. Bolster pillows can add comfort and visual appeal to the look of your couch or sofa.

Spa Head Wrap

One great use for thinner towels is to turn them into these lovely spa head wraps. These wraps can be especially useful for people with long hair. Repurpose old towels for these wraps, or use new towels and create gifts from them. Tipnut offers links to two different patterns.

Washcloths

Think your old towels are too thin and worn to be useful? This how-to explains how to turn those thin, worn towels into washcloths.

Swiffer Reusable Mop Pads

Though the image is of a homemade reusable swiffer mop pad made from fleece, as a commenter notes, it could easily be replicated from microfiber towel material.

Bath Mitt or Dust Glove

Trace a pattern around that your hand that leaves a seam allowance of ½ inch. Fold your towel in half, with right sides (pattern/good side) of towel facing inward. Pin your pattern to the towel.

You can use the hem on the towel as the edge around the opening at the bottom. Cut around the pattern. Sew the fabric together, right sides (good side of towel) facing inward.

Be sure to leave the opening at the bottom open for turning the project right-side-out and for your hand. Turn the project right-side out.

If desired, a small loop can be created and sewn into the seam (place on the inside of the project so the loop is sandwiched between the two right sides of the fabric when sewing).

Zippered Pouch

Not a pattern, but an image for inspiration, this zippered pouch combines a vintage tea towel with some old denim jeans fabric. It also has a felt lining.

BONUS: Something for the new towels

If you are looking for ways to repurpose old towels because you just got or need to get new ones, here is a great repurpose project for your new towels. An old wine rack has been repurposed into a lovely towel holder. Two versions have been made:

Decorative Wall Hanging Rack

Criss Cross Stand

Resources:

Tipnut website

eHow website

ApartmentTherapy website