Towel Re-purpose #2

Today I present my second post on what to do with old towels when the Humane Society doesn't want them.  This post was actually supposed to be last Tuesday (I think I mentioned that already) but was delayed due to ineptitude.  So here at long last is my recycled, reusable Swiffer Wet Jet cover all tested and complete with a tutorial just in case you want to make one for yourself.

Review time first.  It worked pretty well, that's it ha ha.  No, I mopped my kitchen and hallway with it and it came out clean.  I was a bit concerned that the floor would take longer to dry afterwards but it didn't make any difference and dried as quick as ever.  The only real difference is that it's a bit more difficult to push, the towel seems to grab the floor more than the paper covers.  I would advise wetting the towel and ringing it out thoroughly before use and when you're done just sling it in the washing machine.

This is how I made it...

First I made a template.  This is a picture of it so hopefully you can make your own as I have no idea how to make one of those downloadable printables.  Note: my Swiffer is about 5 years old so check that these measurements will fit yours before you start.

I hope you can read the numbers on the photograph.

What you will need:

• From an old towel cut 1 11"x13" rectangle
• From quilting weight cotton cut 2 4" squares and press 1/4" seam allowances on 3 sides
• Cut 2 8" lengths of bias binding.  I made mine from 1 1/2" strips of old bed sheet
• Cut about 48" of binding for the edge, this doesn't have to be bias.  Mine is also 1 1/2" press it in half, open out then press the edges into the middle.
• Cut 2 4" pieces of velcro

Step 1

Mark the holes and notches onto 1 side of the towel piece.

Step 2

On the other side position the 4 inch squares behind the cut out areas that the spray will come through they look like eyes) with the right side of the cotton facing the towel.  Pin in place.  Flip the towel over so you can see the marked lines and sew along the edges of the 'eye' holes.

Step 3

Cut out the middle and clip corners and curves.

Step 4

Push the quilting cotton (or old sheet) through the hole to the other side, ease it out nicely and sew around the edge of the square, then sew around the edge of the opening.  Repeat with the other side.

Step 5

Cut out the notches at the top and bottom.  Bind them with bias tape.  I cut them out 1 at a time to reduce towel fluff getting everywhere.

Step 6

Bind the edges.  I do this with tape cut straight as if feels more firm.

Step 7

Separate the Velcro and sew a strip right at the top of each side of one end.  I always do the side with the 'eyes' first.

Step 8

Next you're going to flip the cover over and attach the other sides of the Velcro to the other end of the cover.  They won't go right at the end so it's worth standing your Swiffer on the cover to get your placement right.  It will probably look something like this.

Ta Daaaaa.  That's it.  Use it, turn it over, use it again, sling it in the washing machine, repeat.

If you try this out please let me know how you get on, also how useful you found the tutorial, it's my first so constructive critisism is welcome.

Bye for now

Kirstin

Towel Re-Purpose #1

It's been a busy week this week with all the folding and appreciating my clothes that's been going on.  I just took a book out of the library on how to create a capsule wardrobe so we'll see how that goes in the coming months.

But to today.  I've begun re-purposing the towels from last week starting with some lovely new dishcloths.

I've made two versions.  The bottom one is just a square of towel that has been bound like a quilt.  The top one is based on an idea I came across on one of those 'best ofs' 'top ten ways to' lists on Pintrest but it originally came from Fairview Farm blog.  It's one square of towel and one square of quilting cotton sewn together around the edge (left raw) then straight line quilted into a Tic-Tac-Toe board.

I've only made 4 and am testing them out to decide which I like best before I make any more.  The bound one washed better as it didn't shed bits all over the rest of the laundry but it took longer to make so we'll see.

Next I'll try some reusable Swiffer mop covers and I'm wondering about dying a couple of towels to cover the weird stains and making some light weight bathmats, or using them as wadding for pot holders.  I bet you're waiting with baited breath for that one!

Have a great weekend
Kirstin

Towels

So now 2019 has begun and the house is free of contractors for a day or 2, I decided to round up and sort out our vast selection of towels.

Here's the stats...

• Bath towels - 20
• Hand towels - 18
• Bath mats - 6
• Beach towels - 6
• Face cloths - 7
• Total Items - 57

I definitely do not think we need this many between 4 of us.  I have whittled it down to this...

• Bath towels - 10
• Hand towels - 10
• Bath mats - 4
• Beach towels - 5
• Face cloths - 4
• Rags and cleaning cloths - 6
• Total Items - 39

That's not a very round number is it?  I now have the problem of how to get rid of the remaining 18 without putting them all in landfill.

I have 5 that are good enough to donate to thrift, they are hardly used because they were too big or too thick or have Ben Ten emblazoned on them.  The other 13 pose a bit of a problem as they are well used or have mysterious bleach stains on them.  My first thought was the Humane Society but they have a prominent note on their website right now to the effect that they don't need any towels so I guess I'm not the only one with that bright idea.

So after a bit of research I've decided to try to re-purpose them.  Here are some ideas I found online...

• Reusable Swiffer pads
• Dish cloths
• Ironing board cover
• Make up scrubbies
• Home made pillow form
• Spa slippers
• Draft excluder

I'll be trying out a few of these over the next few weeks, my One Monthly Goal jobs will have to come first but I'm quite excited about some of these especially as I might get to use up some of my stash and scraps as well.

Does anyone else out there have any great ideas for reusing or disposing of old towels?  If you do I'd love to hear them or see some pictures.