Don't Throw Out Those Old Clothes - Here's Where You Can Reuse Them As Stuffing

Have you ever had old clothes that are too far gone to be of use to someone else? Instead of throwing them out, you can repurpose them by giving them a new lease on life as stuffing for items around your home. While you may not think you need stuffing for anything, there are a few ideas that may just change your mind. How about a stylish pouf for your living room, spoiling your pet with a new bed, or throwing together some gorgeous seasonal decor items that your family will love?

Turning clothes into stuffing does take some work, but it's worth it for both sustainability and budgeting. The best stuffing is uniform enough to prevent weird lumps and bumps in the item you're using it in. To achieve this, first cut away any stiff parts, such as waistbands, zippers, or collars. Cut the rest of the fabric into even strips using sharp fabric scissors, or an Audab Rotary Cutter Set. Cut the strips into small squares that can be stored for later use. The nice part about this task is that you can do it while catching up on your latest series. 

Take it a step further and keep the DIY stuffing separate, dividing into thick and thin fabrics. Thicker fabric is great for stuffing larger items that are made from heavier-duty materials, and provides a firmer result. At the same time, thinner stuffing is lovely for smaller projects from more delicate fabrics, as well as those that need a softer result. 

If you've never had a pouf at home, you don't know what you're missing! Poufs are great for propping your feet up on, sitting on, or relaxing against. Whether they've been sewn together, crocheted, or knitted, they can be stuffed with repurposed clothing strips. Knitted poufs are usually made from fairly thick wool with large stitches that give a delightful texture. If you have a sewing machine, you might want to tackle a DIY floor pouf that any beginner sewer could make for housing your old garments. Using thicker fabric, such as denim, will be great for stuffing a sturdy floor pouf.

You can never have too many cushions for outdoor furniture! If you have the luxury of a patio daybed, use your repurposed clothing stuffing to toss together a bunch of color-coordinated cushions in outdoor-friendly fabric. As these cushions will be used outdoors, consider making cushion inners to hold the stuffing. In keeping with the spirit of recycling, you can use old pillowcases for this purpose as they're generally soft and will be easy to remove and replace when necessary. Make the outer covers with zippers or buttons that will allow you to remove and launder as often as needed.  

How about spoiling your furbuddy with a new bed? With some basic sewing skills, some fabric, and recycled clothing as stuffing, your four-legged friend can sleep in utter luxury! Plus, it's never a bad idea to have a handy backup bed, considering how often you need to clean your dog's bed. For outdoor beds on the patio, consider using Konelia Waterproof Canvas Fabric for the base to help keep the bed dry. Line the top with soft, fluffy fabric to keep them warm and snug. This is a great project to use heavy fabric stuffing for.

Turn your child's room into a playground with this sweet indoor tent. While the top is made from four poles and fabric walls, the base is where the cushioned magic happens. Make 36 small cushions with the fabrics you're using for the tent, stuff them with your softest recycled stuffing to make them extra comfy. Plan out your floor pattern by opting for a single color, checkerboard, or diagonal lines. Once you've decided on a pattern, stitch them together and attach them to the tent walls. Don't be surprised to find your small person cuddled up and sleeping inside! 

Slamming doors are a thing of the past when you make your own stylish fabric door stops. You can use whatever spare fabric you have and sew a small rectangular or square bag. Weight the bottom by filling a plastic bag with sand, rice, or dry beans and tucking it into the bottom of the bag you've made. Use the stuffing you've made from old clothes to fill the top and stitch closed. Add a rope handle by cutting a hole and inserting a Rustark Plastic Curtain Grommet, and finish off the design by knotting the rope.

DIY your own draft snake to stop the chilly wind sneaking into your home. Use a heavier fabric, such as denim, heavy-duty cotton, or faux suede, and sew a long tube that is a couple of inches longer than the width of your door. Turn it so that the right side is on the outside. Stuff it with heavier-duty fabric scraps, inserting pebbles along the length of it to add the weight it needs to resist being blown off duty by the under-door wind. Once it's nice and firm, stitch it closed. Adding a leather strap is optional.

Whether you make them for fun, as gifts for young family members, or to donate, there's nothing cuter than homemade stuffed animals. The internet is full of heart-melting patterns for you to crochet, knit, or sew, and they all have one thing in common: they need stuffing. For smaller critter cuties, use your softer homemade stuffing, such as t-shirts. This will allow you to fill smaller areas and give a snuggle-soft end result. Bigger creatures made from thick fabric, such as denim, can do with tougher stuffing. Thicker fabric on the inside will help keep their shape firm.  

With regular use, oven mitts begin to look old and worn, yet making a fresh pair doesn't take long. Handmade oven gloves also make a thoughtful gift for the baker or home chef in your life, and they're another creative way to repurpose your old clothing. Keep in mind that something like Cordura Canvas Fabric, with its dense weave, is heat-resistant; you can use kids' pajamas for your glove filling, as they are typically flame-resistant. You can find simple patterns with instructions available online for creating a personalized pair of oven gloves. 

Decorative potholders add a warm charm to cottagecore kitchen decor. Choose fabric that picks up on the colors used throughout your kitchen and hang the holders as decor to brighten up a dull spot, or add a pop of bright color to a neutral space. Similar to oven mitts, using dense fabric for the outer layers and heat-resistant clothing scraps can make these pot holders durable enough for functional use. Test it to see how long it takes for heat to travel from the pot through the layers before relying on it to protect your surfaces. 

It's never too early to think about Christmas, right? If you're looking for ideas and tips for decorating your mantel for every season, these adorable trees should be at the top of your list. Using bits of leftover fabric and your homemade stuffing, you can create perfect decor or great gifts. With a bit of creativity, you can create stuffed seasonal decor for all the celebrations. Whether you make heart-shaped cushions for Valentine's Day, bright fabric eggs for easter, or a pumpkin-shaped pouf for Halloween, your recycled stuffing is ideal.