Sustainability Pros Share 15 Easy Ways to Reuse Old Linens and Cut Household Waste
Read this before you toss that tattered tablecloth!
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If you've recently decluttered your home, you may have come across some old linens—think sheets, towels, tablecloths, curtains, or napkins. Maybe they're stained, tattered, or simply not your style anymore. Before you throw them away, consider upcycling them with one of these ideas for reusing old linens.
It's easier than you think to turn your old textiles into something practical and beautiful. For instance, you can take a vintage tablecloth that's seen better days and transform it into a set of elegant napkins. Or maybe you have a long-forgotten set of sheets you just don't love the feel of. Why not turn them into sustainable gift wrap or a table runner? These creative ideas don't just keep your items out of a landfill. They also add a personal touch to your home and may even save you a little bit of money. Instead of buying something from the big-box store, you can make what you need with things you already have on hand.
Keep reading for expert-backed ideas for reusing old linens. If you're looking for even more upcycling inspiration, read up on ideas for giving old t-shirts a second life and ways to refresh your home without buying anything new.
Napkins
Damage your favorite curtains? Cut up pieces of linen into a set of quality napkins. You can do neat squares or elegant rectangles. Go the extra mile and stitch your family monogram on them to give your home a signature feel. You can also use scalloped fabric scissors on the edges for a fun detail. Wrap them in twine and add an herb for an elevated place setting with a rustic touch.
Reusable Wrapping Paper
Wrap oversized or awkwardly shaped gifts in a swath of linen instead. Finish it with a simple linen bow for a polished look. If you want to be romantic, lightly spritz the fabric with a favorite fragrance—the linen will hold the scent, adding a thoughtful, personal touch. As a bonus, it’s reusable, making this wrapping idea both meaningful and sustainable.
Heart Shaped Bookmarks
Christine Burrows, the creator behind Christine's Crafts, recommended making a heart-shaped bookmark from linen napkins. “These are quick and easy to make and are great gifts. They even fit inside an envelope with your Valentine’s card,” she told Good Housekeeping.
Table Cloths
You could create a mid-size tablecloth with a set of linens that have seen better days. The frayed edges could go from annoying to charming in an instant with a bit of dye in the right places. You can also do this with multiple pieces of linen, creating a new look by merging pieces.
RELATED: Useful and Easy Upcycling Ideas for Every Skill Level
Table Runners
Linens make great table runners because of the volume they create. Arounna Khounnoraj, the artist and maker who wrote The Handmade Home teaches readers how to repurpose fabric with simple techniques. “Linens usually have really good body to them,” says Khounnoraj. Add some whimsy to your next family dinner by layering a linen in a tiered S pattern. Space some votives or tapers throughout the runner to enhance the design.
Ribbons
You can turn linen into long, elegant ribbons that can transform a vase or a bouquet. Just make sure that you’re careful about how you separate the pieces. “Linen tends to be a little bit harder to rip. so cut it along the grain of the fabric and then pull the strings, the edges so that it kind of frays,” says Khounnoraj. “That makes it really nice.”
Costume Accessory
Consider how linen can upgrade your little one’s costume before hitting add to cart. “You could use an old tablecloth to make a superhero cape for a child,” says Olivia Parks, owner and lead organizer at Professional Organizer New Orleans.
RELATED: Clever Uses for Old Pillowcases
Scent Satchel
Stitch together small pieces of linen and fill them with fragrant herbs and drops of oil for a DIY scent satchel. Place them around your home and hand them out to guests on their way out.
Bowl Covers
Looking to limit the plastic in your life? Consider using a fabric bowl cover. “You cut it into a circle and then sew in an elastic,” said Khounnoraj. “That's really good for storing food.”
Headbands
Avoid sweaty ears and hairlines by adding an elastic to a piece of linen and making a makeshift headband. Dye the linen fabric to match your favorite pair of shoes for a custom set.
Dryer Sheets
Spray fabric softener or diluted essential oils onto a few scraps of linen and toss them into the dryer with your laundry. Wash them and repeat for sustainable dryer sheets that freshen up your drawers.
Napkin Rings
Add a touch of something extra to your table with napkin rings. Use traditional spheres or take it a step further. “If you have shreds of fabric, you can make braided napkin rings,” says Mariana Leung, Creative Director at Wicked Finch Farm, who has appeared on HGTV's "Holiday Crafters Gone Wild." Braided rings will add texture to the accessory.
Weaving Patches
A running stitch could help you revive a piece of linen and even make it more interesting. “If there's a cloth that you want to use, but there's holes you can easily mend them," says Khounnoraj.
Breathable Bread Bag
If you’re not interested in a standard bread basket, but you don’t want unsightly, clashing plastic on your counters, consider using linen to make a breathable bread bag.
RELATED: Designers Say These Vintage Items May Be Doing Your Home No Favors
Luggage Tags
Instead of tying a scarf that might come loose or choosing the same tag as lots of other travelers, make a unique accessory with linen. “With smaller scraps, you can make luggage tags,” says Leung. Coat the tag in wax so that it can survive your journey.
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