Make Use Of Any Extra Towels With This Handy DIY Washcloth Idea
Washcloths seem to be one of those items that sneakily add up over time, until suddenly you realize that your linen closet, towel cabinet, or dishrag drawer has been completely taken over. If you have tried all of the ways to fold towels for better storage and organization and still can't get a perfect fit, you likely have too many. At this point, you probably don't even use most of them, reaching only for the pretty ones to display and a few trusty cloths that stay at the top of the pile rather than digging to the neglected towels at the bottom. If this sounds like your situation, it is time to repurpose some of those washcloths. One way to give them new life is by transforming them from mere rags into a cleaning mitt that is more functional and will get used more. The process is pretty easy, especially if you have a sewing machine, and it is very customizable to your needs.
Cleaning mitts are a type of cloth mitten or glove that you can place on your hand and use for scrubbing, dusting, polishing, and more. Some types are popular for washing cars, but you can make a cleaning mitt for nearly any task based on the material you have. For example, you could create the mitt using microfiber cloth and have a brand new dusting glove, but be aware that you'll never go back to a traditional duster after trying this swap. Absorbent cotton is great as a drying mitt, and more abrasive fabrics could work for serious scrubbing tasks.
How to create a cleaning mitt from washcloths
In addition to two washcloths in your desired fabric, you'll need a sewing machine and a serger for the best results. Have scissors, a pencil, paper, and a ruler on hand as well. Start by creating your pattern. A 10.5-inch by 12.5-inch square is a good starting point, but you can also trace your hand on the paper to get an idea of fit. Then, you may want to round the corners of the square so there will be less extra fabric there. Alternatively, you can trace another cleaning glove or oven mitt that fits well for your pattern.
Take each washcloth and cut out the shape from the pattern, or if one washcloth is large enough, you can cut both pieces from it. Placing the bottom of the pattern where your hand will enter the glove on a finished edge of the washcloth can save you some work. Use the serger to create an overstitch along any unfinished edges of the cut washcloth pieces to prevent fraying. Place the two faces of the washcloth you want to be on the outside together, then sew the pieces together along three edges. Finally, flip the mitt inside out.
To upgrade the mitt even more, you may want to add a fabric loop near the opening for the hand so you can hang the mitt to dry or add elastic to the opening so that it stays on your wrist better. Once you've upcycled these cloths and seen how effective they can be, you may want to know even more useful ways to repurpose old towels for cleaning.