by When it comes to pillows, most people don’t think twice about them. They use them for a few years and then throw them away. But did you know that you can do quite a few things with old pillows? In this blog post, we’ll explore six ways to reuse old pillows, from making a cat bed to using them as packing material.
Use them as floor cushions
If you have multiple old cushions to utilize, crafting bigger ground pillows is one smart answer. Great for spontaneous PlayStation sessions, movie marathons, or slumber parties, a couple of big pillows are a great addition to any living area.
It may be as simple as selecting ready-made cushion coverings. Or you might design your customized coverings with materials that complement your décor. Or, craft a cool wide pillow nest using old covers. Either way, large floor pillows are always a treat to the eyes!
Make a cozy bed for your fluffy
You can invest big bucks on lovely bedding for your pet, but they’d still prefer to snuggle up in your filthy clothes than on the bedding you bought for them. You may fix two issues at once by creating a bed for your animal out of your old cushions.
Firstly, it is a simple method to recycle pillows, and secondly, it feels like a home rather than a strange mill, which may make it more appealing to your pet when it comes time for sleep.
Use old pillow covers for packaging
It’s a good idea to have old pillows around to serve as stuffing when moving or relocating. Compressing them in advance and keeping them in vacuum mesh bags may be effective.
Then, if you need to cover upholstery from scratches or have a package of fragile objects that need to be sent, you will already have packing material on standby.
Use them as a gardening tool
Although planting is a fun and fulfilling activity, the repetitive motion of pulling weeds and planting seeds may be a little taxing on the joints. Instead of purchasing a new knee pad, you may make one out of two old pillows sandwiched in a durable cover.
Alternately, if you’re handy with a needle and thread, you can sew a covering for it using material that you can use outside without worrying about damaging it.
Donate to a good cause
Thrift stores and charitable organizations such as UNICEF and Save the Children welcome donations of all materials as long as the items are not “moist or tainted with dangerous chemicals.” These groups have established connections with cloth recyclers, which means that even if they are unable to sell the cushions, there is a good likelihood that they will recycle them.
You could also succeed if you give your old cushions to an animal rescue center or to those that tame wild creatures.
There is a good chance that there is a textile recycling plant in your location that specializes in textiles and fibers and welcomes old beddings. Some places will only accept sheets, and it’s probably preferable to bring foam cushions to places that recycle mattresses or foam.
How to recycle old pillows?
If your cushions are in such bad shape that they can no longer be used for their intended purpose or donated, recycling them is the best choice.
It is how it is done:
- Find an organization that recycles fabrics. When it comes to recycling old cushions, it is one of the more effective methods, as compared to just putting them in the trash bin at your house.
- By repurposing the old cushion filling and fabric to manufacture items like carpet cushioning, insulation, and scraps, these factories are pros at preventing landfills from being overrun with cushions. It is achieved by preventing the accumulation of pillows over time.
- Put the filling from the old pillows in the composting bin. Most pillow coverings are unsuitable for composting; however, if the filler included inside the cushion is feathery or similar, you may take it from the pillow’s cover and place it in the composter.
After that, the covering may be torn apart and used as towels for cleaning.
When should you replace your old pillows with new ones?
The idea that you may use pillows for a lifetime is so pervasive that many people bring the cushions they used on their childhood beds to university. Keep them when they move into their first houses and even get them with them when they move into their own homes.
Even though we know that some cushions may provide the same degree of satisfaction as a child’s favorite teddy, we recommend upgrading your pillow at some time. So how frequently should you be changing up your cushions then?
The following are some of the most obvious indications that it’s necessary to refresh your pillow:
- You’ve had the pillow for more than two years at this point.
- Because there is not enough filling in the pillow, it has no defined form and has a bumpy texture.
- You wake up with a headache or neck discomfort far worse than the previous day.
- The cushion cover has an awful lot of stains.
- There is a tear in the cushion, or the filling is starting to come out.
- Even after being washed and given a thorough cycle in the washer, the pillow continues to give off an offensive odor.
Any red flags indicate that it is time to replace your old bed cushion with a brand new one.
Ending Thoughts
There are a few things you can do with old pillows. You can donate them, recycle them, or upcycle them. Upcycling is a great way to give your old pillows a new lease on life. It also saves them from filling the landfills and polluting the environment.
What are other creative ways to reuse old pillows?
You can get crafty with old pillows and turn them into fun homemade projects. Some ideas include:
- Make a pet bed or cat cave using old pillows and sheets. This creates a cozy place for your furry friend to nap.
- Sew smaller pillows together into one large body pillow. These are great for reading in bed or propping up your back.
- Cut squares out of old pillows and use them as stuffing for children’s toys like dolls or stuffed animals. The soft filling makes great DIY toy stuffing.
- Make draft stoppers to place at the bottom of doors by inserting old pillows into fabric tubes. This helps prevent cold air from seeping into the room.
Can I compost my old feather or down pillows?
You should not compost whole feather or down pillows. The feather and down filling will not break down properly in a compost pile. However, you can remove the fillings and place only those materials in your compost bin. Make sure to cut or shred the feathers first. The fabric pillow case cannot be composted and should be recycled or discarded.