[Elvira]

What creative or practical ideas do you have for repurposing old t-shirts?

I have a collection of old t-shirts that I no longer wear, but I’d hate to throw them away. I’m looking for ways to give them a second life, whether through upcycling, DIY projects, or any other sustainable ideas.

They hold sentimental value, so I’d love suggestions that preserve their essence or transform them into something useful.

Have you ever turned old t-shirts into something cool or functional?

From crafts and home decor to clothing hacks or donation ideas, I’d appreciate hearing your experiences or recommendations!

[Cynthia]

Hold onto them for the next six months. You may need reusable toilet paper.

[Gisa]

If they are no longer wearable – you can contact your local goodwill and see if they recycle/take non-usable items

[Lyn]

If they are yucky I donate them to a local mechanic who uses them as rags so he doesn’t have to buy shop rags

[Rennie]

Donate them to someone near you thats involved in Operation Christmas Child, they are used to make jump ropes for children

[Jill]

I just found out my city has a program to break them down and reuse the material

[Rebecca]

I keep them in a box until I have a few, then I cut them up and finger-crochet them into floor mats (bathroom or kitchen).

[Ruth]

If they are souvenirs, make a t-shirt quilt and the scraps are rags. I’m working on one now for my daughter.

I back each piece with fusible interfacing.

Hobby Lobby has a package that is labeled as T-shirt quilt backing.

[Anita]

Some Creative uses:
Wall art: Cut interesting shapes from graphic t-shirts and arrange them on canvas.

Headbands: Cut strips from a t-shirt and sew them into a headband

Hair scrunchies: Cut fabric strips and sew them into scrunchies

Dog bed: Cut t-shirts into strips and stuff them into a dog bed cover

[Laura]

I use them for cleaning rags. I have a few that make me smile while wiping around the toilet or the baseboards lol.

I don’t buy paper towels (well, a roll will last a year) and use rags for everything! When the rag gets too nasty – I throw it away

But I love seeing one of my sons’ old tee shirts – my former employer – company picnic tee’s DH’s former work use to hand out.

I even have some old bowling towels of my Dad’s for perfect games.

I couldn’t justify keeping them tucked in a drawer or thrown away – so they become clenaing rags.

PS – old cotton tee shirts are aresome for windows.

[Anita]

With old t-shirts, you can make a variety of items including: quilts, blankets, pillowcases, tote bags, cleaning rags, rugs, baskets, bowls, headbands, hair scrunchies, wall art, decorative pillow covers, and even a memory scarf by piecing together fabric from sentimental shirts; essentially, anything where you can cut the fabric into strips or squares and sew them together creatively depending on the desired outcome.

[Melissa]

Turn into a quilt.
Donate if they are not stained and in good shape.

Use as rags.

[Becky]

Hair scrunchies if there is any good material. Sew a few together for a cleaning rag.

[Rhonda]

I cut them up and use for cleaning and put in my car for on the go napkins

[Louise]

You can tear them into strips. The strips can be used as twine, or you can sew them end to end and crochet them into placemats, rugs or whatever.

Same can be done with excess plastic bags, they can be crocheted into rugs for the homeless….or purses or whatever The rugs are being made for homeless to sleep on, in some areas.

[Sandy]

I crochet “rag rugs’ from them after cutting strips. The bottom hem is use in the garden, sleeves become rags.

[Sarah]

I’m not sure what you mean. Why can’t you just continue to wear them until they’re in tatters then use them for rags?

[Corinne]

Make jersey yarn (check online for how to cut a T-shirt into a continuous line). Then use for knitting or crochet.

I made a knitted rug for my craft room.

As it can be quite heavy it could be used as a weighted blanket.

[Valerie]

Cut off arm. Make cuts 2 inches apart across the bottom tie together the cuts across the bottom front to back.

You have a bag

[Author]

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