Don't Throw Out Old Towels: 15 Ways To Reuse Them Around The House

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Whether they've become ragged, bleach-stained, or full of holes, don't throw out your old towels just yet, as there are multiple ways you can repurpose them. You only need a splash of creativity to turn them into something new and clever. And as towels often feature colorful fabrics or decorative prints, they can add a bit of whimsy when reused. Whether you're repurposing tea towels, dish towels, or bath towels, you're sure to find a great use for them. Most projects require minimal supplies, such as scissors and a ruler, plus plenty are perfect for people with little sewing experience.

If you're wondering when exactly a towel becomes old, experts recommend replacing your towels whenever they start losing absorbency. The typical towel lifespan is two years, though this varies by brand, style, and frequency of use. A good rule, regardless of brand or use, is replacing towels every two to three years and keeping them for a maximum of five years. Unfortunately, the problem is that many of those discarded towels often end up unrecycled. Each year, more than 11 million tons of textiles, including towels, find their way into landfills, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By finding new ways to reuse your towels around the house, you can save money and reduce how much you add to the growing climate concerns. These are also great projects if you're considering bathroom remodel ideas and feel like you'd like to change your linens as well. Once you learn about these new ideas, you won't look at a towel the same way again.

Towels can become mopping cloths for various flooring types, plus save you money compared to pricey disposable ones. Simply measure the towel against your refillable flat mop head, then cut the pieces to size. You can choose how you want to attach the cloth to the mop head, either by elastic or snap buttons. You could also sew it into an envelope that you'll insert the mop head into. Use your new mop cloths as you would a store-bought single-use cloth, then toss them into the washing machine when done.

It might seem unreal, but a towel can be the key ingredient to a unique planter. Using a quick-setting concrete mix like QUIKRETE and soaking your towel in it will let you form a quirky-shaped planter for your patio or garden. After mixing the concrete according to the packaging directions, you'll dip the towel into the mixture, letting it soak up as much as possible. You can then drape the sopping towel over a large bucket or canister, twisting it to how you desire. Once it dries, viola! You've got a new modern planter.

If you like crafting, did you know your old tea towels can be given new life as ribbons? With the towel(s) lying flat, cut out strands of varying lengths and widths from the fabric. Next, add a dash of color by balling the ribbon pieces together, then applying a bottle of oxide spray, such as Ranger Ink Tim Holtz Distress Spritz Sprays. Shake the spray before using, and add water for unique color combinations. Once done, you've got a stack of customized ribbons perfect for adorning your next DIY wreath or junk journal.

Do you have deep kitchen drawers that hold bulky appliances, baking dishes, or pans? Try repurposing a bath or hand towel as a liner for protection. You can use a towel to protect the bottom of your drawers from scratches made by appliances, utensils, or things floating in the "junk drawer". Cut the towel, if necessary, to the same size as your drawer. Set it inside the drawer, then replace your items, letting the towel cushion them. As a bonus, you can wash your DIY liner when it's dirty or covered with crumbs. 

Making a big move? Clean towels can be just as useful as bubble wrap when packing, and they're more sustainable, too. Use towels to wrap fragile equipment such as stereos, game consoles, and computer parts, or stuff them between box gaps to ensure items stay put while transporting. Towels are also perfect for wrapping dishes, especially plates. When you get to your destination, unpack and repurpose the towels as needed in new ways. You could also donate them to your local animal shelter as towels or cushioning materials for their kennels.

Dryer sheets can be expensive, and the chemicals they contain sometimes cause skin irritations. One alternative is to make your own with vinegar and cut-up towels. Start with clean towels, then cut them into small squares. Let them soak in a jar of either fabric softener or 1 cup of distilled white vinegar with 20 drops of your favorite essential oils. Wring out each "sheet" before using, then toss it in your dryer to combat static electricity each time you run a drying cycle. Avoid using colors that may leach onto your fabrics.

Did your favorite tea towel get a mark you just can't remove even after washing or have extras that you don't use? Shape your tea towels into a reusable bread basket that's cute and functional for your next table setting. No sewing is required, just a few folds and tucks. Lay your towel flat on a table, keeping the side with the stain/mark face down. Fold in half lengthwise, then fold the sides, and tuck the ends. Insert your fresh-baked bread or dinner rolls, and you're set.

One of the easiest ways you can reuse older towels is simply to convert them into washcloths. Spread your towel out, then cut into washcloth-sized squares measuring 13 by 13 inches or 12 by 12 inches. You can leave the cut edges as is, or make them a bit neater by stitching the edges on your sewing machine with a zig-zag stitch. If you're feeling very crafty, you could even stitch around the edges with a bit of ribbon to make them more decorative. 

Dogs are intelligent creatures requiring mental stimulation and enrichment. Repurposing an old towel into a simple puzzle is a quick way to give your pup's brain a little exercise. Take a clean towel, spread some pieces of kibble or treats, then roll up loosely. You can also scrunch it into a ball if you prefer. Whichever approach you use, step back to watch your dog try to retrieve the treats by sniffing and digging their way to them. Some dogs might accidentally eat the fabric, so always conduct this activity with eagle eyes.

Keep drinks from leaving water marks on your furniture with a set of washable coasters made from clean but unwanted towels. The absorbent material will soak up any moisture while also being gentle on glass or vintage surfaces. You'll sandwich your towel pieces between scrap fabric, then sew together. For square coasters, cut both materials into 3.5 x 3.5 inches or 4.5 x 4.5 inches, or 4 inches wide for a round one. You could even cut small circles from the towel and fabric to insert into your vehicle's cupholder as a coaster as well.

It's time to grab those patterned tea towels that might have seen better days and turn them into something new. You can use them to reupholster a small dining chair, folding chair, or even a footstool, treating them like you would any other fabric. Just make sure you have enough to cover the seat or foot rest before cutting. Lay out flat and wrap around the surface, then staple on the back to attach. No one will believe that a chair's seat began life as a tea towel!

Getting new toys for your pup doesn't have to be expensive, especially if you have old towels lying around. This is also a good way to repurpose old clothing into a tug toy. One towel is fine for this project, but two towels of varying shades will create a pattern of alternating colors. Cut the towel(s) into three large strips, braid them together, tie a knot at the end, then toss to your pup. You can also insert little treats inside the "rope" to make it more enticing.

Bath towels don't need to be retired out of the bathroom, but instead, can be great shower loofahs or poufs. This DIY project just features cut towel pieces with clean, sewed edges. The strips are then rouched together in a loofah shape, tied in a knot, and sewed in the middle to stay together. You can then add a bit of elastic or thick ribbon to hang it from your faucet to dry after use. 

When you have a stack of fraying or unwanted colorful towels, weave them into a bath mat. You'll need some straight pins, a needle and thread, and at least two large bath towels. Cut the towels into strips measuring 3 inches wide, stack them on top of each other, and pin before you sew them together. Fold the individual strips, twist, coil into a large spiral, then use a thread and needle to secure the entire piece. If you need help creating the mat, you can get guidance from multiple tutorials online.

You can make one-of-a-kind art by upcycling dish or tea towels, like the ones you might've bought for seasonal decoration. They can be used as napkins in decoupage projects on plates, cutting boards, wall hangings, or wood planks. A little ModPodge, scissors, and creativity are all you need to make whimsical decorations for your home instead of letting the towels languish in your drawer. Just cut the fabric to size, place it on the object, and decoupage the design or art onto the material.