12 Practical Uses For Old Baby Blankets Instead Of Packing Them Away

An essential item that every baby needs multiple of are blankets. These comforting home items keep our littles cozy and safe as they spend their time growing. But in a blink of an eye, your newborn becomes a toddler to then a bigger kid, meaning bigger and bigger blankets. Over the years, you may have noticed that you've accumulated a lot of blankies that you just don't want to place out or store away anymore. While you can donate them to women or animal shelters, you can also keep some of them for these 12 practical uses for old baby blankets.

There are a ton of different kinds of baby blankets that you may be gifted or purchase, including swaddles, fleece, receiving, thermal, and handknit ones. Many of these blankets are made from cotton, gauze, muslin, bamboo knit, flannel, and fleece. Each one has a different function, whether that is for warmth, sun protection, or even security. When repurposing these blankets, you'll want to keep a few from each kind before giving away any you don't want to keep. From handmade clothing to outdoor throws, discover one of the uses that you find the most practical and drawn to below. 

Pass that old baby blanket to another one of your loves by gifting it to your pets. Many animals love the scent of their owners, so giving them an old baby blanket provides them with a sense of security. If you have an animal that is skittish or not fully comfortable with your child, you can get them used to their scent by placing the blanket on their bed or in the area they like to sleep. Baby blankets are also a great fabric choice if you want to create a homemade dog bed. 

Old baby blankets are a practical seat cover transformation that you'll cherish forever. You can place these as new cushions on reupholstered chairs. Cut holes in the fabric and create a cozy, hygienic seat protection for grocery carts and car seats. You can even create a stroller seat cover for those extra cold days. What's great about this hack is that you'll protect your carseat and stroller from icky messes children have a tendency of making. Have multiple different options based on the temperature, like breathable fabrics for hot days and fleece material for chilly months.

If you have sewing skills and love making clothes, then take your kids' old blankies and turn them into their next wardrobe options. This is a great upcycling project that can save you money and protect the earth. Since these warming covers come in a variety of fun designs and cartoon characters, you can create unique, one-of-a-kind dresses, jumpers, pajamas, skirts, and even outfit sets. Don't forge to measure your little one and head over to your crafting store and grab some kids patterns before getting to work.

Stay warm all winter long or ease your achey muscles by making heating packs out of your used baby blankets. This project is a pretty simple sewing activity that can be done with a machine or by hand. Grab the blanket and cut it into two evenly-sized pieces of whatever size you want the pack. Sew three of the sides together, leaving one section open to pour rice inside. Once stuffed, sew up the last side. Then, heat in the microwave whenever you need extra heat during those cold months or when you're in pain.

A simple way to reuse those baby throws you have laying around is to make a cute photo backdrop. You can piece blankets together to create a fun, unique background or even just use one larger blanket. This is also a great idea for any holiday or monthly photoshoots you want to have as your little one continues to grow up. You can even add lights and props to make the photos pop out more. Make sure to iron or steam the fabric if you want to get rid of pesky wrinkles.

Adding as a wall statement or tapestry piece in your nursery is a great way to decorate your home with blankets. These blankets come in a variety of fun and charming designs that work really well as artwork. Take your little one's blanket and pin it against the wall. Place their bed, dresser, rocking chair, or even changing table in front of it. You can even drape it on the side of the crib or hang it, creating a whimsical canopy. Just remember to move fabric out of the way before your baby sleeps. 

Blankets are a must in every emergency kit, so save money while making yours by adding those old blankets your kids never use anymore. You'll want two emergency kits, one for your car and the other for your house. Each kit should be equipped with one blanket for each person in your family. In your home kit, place the blankets in a waterproof bag just in case your property floods. Once your kits are packed, place them in an easy to grab place in your vehicle and residence.

As a creative way to repurpose old throw blankets around your home and garden, cut up your baby blankets into reusable washcloths and rags. Thinner, cotton fabrics are great choices for washcloths for you, your family, and even your pets. Thicker fabrics can be used as cleaning rags to absorb bigger messes. You can even chop some up to keep as reusable towels in your car for all your on-the-go activities. This is a great project if you have stained or ripped blankets to give them another life.

Sometimes these blankets have sentimental value; therefore, you can create a keepsake out of it to always remember those precious moments with your littles. A popular memento people make is stuffed animals, which works as a decoration item as well as a toy for your child. Then, once they are done with the toy, you can donate it to children shelters and hospitals for more kiddos to enjoy. Another keepsake you can make is a shadow box, where you can place a small section or fold the blanket and add photos and other items around it.

Whether you're having a picnic at the park or enjoying a sunny beach trip, have a comfy seat everywhere you go by converting your old baby blankets into outdoor seating options. Some baby blankets like swaddles are smaller, so sew multiple together to create a large covering the whole family can sit on. To make cleaning easier, sew a waterproof shower curtain or vinyl tablecloth on the bottom. The best blankets for these days are the more breathable or flannel fabrics, since shaggy blankets easily catch dirt and bugs, making them harder to clean. 

If you are an avid sewer, you know how expensive fabric can get, so why not keep those old, even stained blankets, as textiles for future projects. Old baby blankets are great for quilts or even jackets. Use your blankets with cartoon characters and other designs for sewing projects that you are looking for with a theme. Create wardrobe choices for your pooches. Or, you could even use some of the fabric from blankets as patches for torn clothing.

Those flannel baby blankets every new mom walks away with from the hospital are perfect to soak up sweat during your postpartum workouts. Made out of flannel cotton, baby blankets can absorb sweat as you hit the grind. If you have equipment at home like a spin bike, elliptical, or treadmill, you can also place these blankets on handles to keep your hands sweat-free and steady as you get your workout going. Don't forget to throw some in your exercise bag for those days you head out to the gym or even the courts.