Home |  Index |  Ask a Question |  Share Photos |  Share Tips |  Active Topics |  New Feedback  |  Contact Us  |  Search
 User Login:  Username:    Password:      Forgot It?  | Join ThriftyFun!
Search:
Web ThriftyFun

Popular Topics
 - Beauty
 - Budget and Finance
 - Cleaning
 - Consumer Advice
 - Craft Projects
 - Craft Tips
 - Food Tips
 - Garage Sales
 - Gardening
 - Gifts
 - Green Living
 - Home Improvement
 - Organizing
 - Parenting
 - Parties
 - Pest Control
 - Pets
 - Product Reviews
 - Recipes
 - Repair
 - Weddings for Less

More Topics

About:
RSS Feed
About Us
Media
Advertising
Contact Us
Privacy Statement
Disclaimer

Uses for Old T-Shirts

1x1
Date: 06/22/2007 Topic: Brainstorms > Recycling  
1x1
1x1
Post Feedback! | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Print (With Feedback) | Rate: Thumbs Up Thumbs Down | Bookmark and Share
What do you do with old T-shirts?

Pearl from Willowdale, Ontario
Related Links:
Previous: Getting Rid of Couch Grass ThriftyFun Next: Are Allergies Hereditary in Dogs?
1x1
1x1
 Feedback
1x1
1x1
1x1

By Sheilaperk (Guest Post)
I saw a t shirt ripped into a square neck, the sleeves were split and tied in bows and the bottom looked like a car wash split. How many styles can T shirts be torn into and where do you find the styles?

Posted on 07/20/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse


By 4libros (13) Profile Contact
I recently saw a picture of a t-shirt totebag. They widened the opening around the collar, rolled the sleeves up as handles, and strengthened all the seams. Sew across the bottom, more than once, and you have a fairly easy and sturdy totebag. I made one without a pattern, kinda guessing how they did it. Mine isn't as nicely finished, but it works.

Posted on 11/12/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By babybug (2) Contact
If you have children in school, you can quickly sew them to make a snug and strectchy book cover for their textbooks.

Posted on 10/30/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By babybug (2) Contact
I use them to line the bottom of my plant pots so the soil doesn't drip out of the holes on the bottom side.

I also use them to make fire starters. Grill Alot? Like camp fires? Save old paper egg cartons and toilet paper rolls. Stuff them with old t-shirt rags, and pour paraffin or melted candle nubs onto the t-shirt so it soaks it up. Light this under your charcoal or wood.

Posted on 10/30/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By Linda Smyth (Guest Post)
Just Google the word 'reconstructed tshirts' and you will get some web sites. I had a ball looking at what people did (mainly young girls) with tshirts.

Some made a dress out of a large one. Another lady bought a large one from the Op shop and trimmed it and she had a funky long tshirt.

Another young girl made undies out of them. As some t's have cute prints on them she decided to give it a go. She even has a pattern that you can use.

Have fun.
Linda

Posted on 07/01/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By Pat (Guest Post)
I collected a number of T shirts in my travels and I don't wear them much any more. I use them to cover outdoor chair pads, just slide pad in and pin sleeves and excess fabric to back.

Posted on 06/26/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By hugmehugs (151) Profile Contact
Make a quilt.

Posted on 06/26/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By tinah (Guest Post)
My neighborhood has a few ceramic shops, they take old shirts, tshirt or button up, and use them for their patrons to put on while painting so they don't ruin their clothes in case paint gets on them.
If there are stains or rips, it doesn't bother them any, as they will get paint on them anyway.
If you don't want to keep the shirts for yourself, and they are in less than perfect condition find some art studio to donate them to!

Posted on 06/26/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By babydoll21 (1) Profile Contact
I cut them into large squares for dusting furniture, no paper towel streaking or wet hands and they are washable. If you play cornhole, you can make bean bags.

Posted on 06/26/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By CHEAPERTHANCHEAP (11) Contact
I USE MY OLD TEE SHIRTS TO DRY MY FACE AND HAIR INSTEAD OF TOWELS. THEY ARE SO MUCH SOFTER AND BETTER FOR YOUR SKIN AND HAIR.

Posted on 06/25/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By kidena (28) Profile Contact
Cut them into squares that will fit around a dry SWIFFER & after using them, wash them & reuse them. Beats paying for a box of the paper squares.

Posted on 06/25/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By Connie from Canada (53) Profile Contact
There is a book about what to do with old t-shirts. I'm sorry but I don't remember the name. My daughter has it and has made a beautiful blanket with squares cut from the shirts. It is a wonderful wedding present for her cousin. She found t's that where personal to her cousin and her new husband. It looks like a quilt. she used a flat sheet for the back. The book had so many uses for t's it was really amazing. I wish I could remember the name of it. It was in paperback. Mayber someone else knows about it.

Posted on 06/25/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By (Guest Post)
Cut them into strips that can be rolled into balls.
Either crochet them into rugs, or braid them into rugs. My husband's grandmother used to make some beautiful rugs this way.

Posted on 06/24/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By Sarah (Guest Post)
How do you turn it into yarn?

Posted on 05/31/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By Rachel (Guest Post)
If you know how to knit or crochet then sometimes local animal shelters need blankets for cat cages. You can turn the t-shirt into yarn and it makes a perfect little blanket for the cats and it's easy for the shelter to wash too.

Posted on 05/31/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse


By Izabella (Guest Post)
Just cut them up!!! Make them cool!!!

Posted on 12/05/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse


By MamaSaves (Guest Post)
Rip or cut them into squares and use them for babywipes. They are softer and they don't have the chemicals that the store wipes do. We use them with just water, and our baby almost never has diaper rash. If you use cloth diapers, they can be washed right along with the diapers. The yuckiest ones get tossed!

I saw a beautiful quilt made of t-shirts from a young woman's crew events. Great memento of all her events, and cozy for her dorm.

Posted on 10/31/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse


By kritterknitter (Guest Post)
When I have a T I love but is really small, I turn into a pillow. They are really comfortable. I'm also considering cutting out the logos and turning them into patchwork quilts, or cutting it into yarn and knitting a bag for laundry and stuff.

Posted on 09/17/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse


By katieandjeffy (74) Contact
I cut mine up and use them for cleaning.

We also use them for cleaning things outdoors...like waxing the car, cleaning the grill etc. Or in garages...most men use them when they are working in the grease and stuff.

Or wear them while cleaning or doing something messy.

I have cut them (from the bottom side up to the top) and laid them out as "drop clothes" for messy projects...like dying easter eggs, dying hair, cutting hair (just pick it up and the mess is pretty much clean), etc.

I cut them and use them when cutting my Fiance's hair (to prevent the hair from getting all over him).

We have used them to wrap breakables up when storing them away.

Posted on 03/15/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse


By BassPlayer (Guest Post)
I was just looking at another site that had instruction on how to make old T-Shirts into underwear. I'm now trying to find a site w/more crafty ideas....Like a book I once saw, and didn't buy....I regret it now, but it's too late so w/e I'll figure out something to do =]

Posted on 03/15/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse


By susan (Guest Post)
You can sew them into fitted tank tops and make little cat nip pillows out of the scraps

Posted on 03/12/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse


By Debbie52 (1028) Profile Contact
I cut up my husband's old white cotton undershirts to use for cleaning eyeglasses and drying/polishing jewelry. They are so soft and really do a nice job.

Posted on 02/03/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse


By tata (Guest Post)
Short sleeve shirts make great light-stoppers while brewing wine in 5 gallon carboys. The neck of each T-shirt needs to be snugged around the neck of the carboy, but two or more shirts staggered around the glass make a light-proof cover and keep the wine from becoming skunky.

Posted on 09/16/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse


By dunrf (Guest Post)
u can make shorts out of them

Posted on 07/31/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse


By Angelina (Guest Post)
My neigbor uses his T-shirts as seat covers on the bucket seat,( rear part) in his car. The logos are interesting, good for a laugh, and he has a washable seat cover.

Posted on 07/22/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse


By rabbithorns (37) Contact
Crochet a rug with t-shirt "yarn". Cut one up by cutting into the bottom about an inch or two and then continuing round and round until you have a big "string". Then you roll those into balls of t-shirt yarn. As you crochet you sew the end of one to the beginning of the next and keep going.

Posted on 07/22/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse


By ThriftyFun (3427) Profile Blog! Contact
In lieu of old diapers, as everyone uses Pampers now, cut up old stained or torn T Shirts for cleaning rags. Free, they do a great job and no lint. They can be tossed when doing a really messy job. Bonus - Short sleeves cut away from body of shirt fit perfect on base of those "Swifter" type mops!

By Sandy

Posted on 07/22/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse


By ThriftyFun (3427) Profile Blog! Contact
Hi there -- We have a ton of t-shirts in the house, and my husband keeps bringing home more whenever he goes to trade shows. I don't even like t-shirts, and the thrift store certainly doesn't need them. So, aside from rags for furniture polishing or what-have-you, does a use for old t-shirts exist?

- BlakeKR

Posted on 07/22/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse


By ThriftyFun (3427) Profile Blog! Contact
Don't throw away old t-shirts. They can be given away to those less fortunate or cut up and used as cleaning rags, etc.

By Erica Greca

Posted on 03/24/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse


By Britt (Guest Post)
Personally, I dont wear T-shirts, but I have a lot of them, it's really easy to make an old shirt a new shirt. First cut one inch slices up both sides. Then simply tie the loose ends together in double knots, making the shirt a little snugger, but a whole new look !!!!

Posted on 06/17/2004 | Report Spam or Abuse


By brad.askew (1) Contact
Use them to polish your shoes with.

Posted on 01/23/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


By longfarm (20) Contact
I read something just the other day where you cut one tee shirt off just below the arms and sew that to the bottom of another tee shirt of matching color(s) and you have a nice nightshirt. :)

Posted on 01/07/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


If you have small clean t-shirts that you cannot use that are in good condition, a daycare may take them, to use when kids get messy or have accidents. They always kept a few extra clean clothes around "just in case" when my son went to a daycare many moons ago.

I take my son's and hubby's old tees and cut them into "yarn" (long strips) and crochet rag rugs or little mats for the kitties to sleep on.

If the tees are pretty worn, cut them up into squares as they make great rags for dusting, household cleaning, and washing the car.

If there is good material left in the tees, they can be used to make doll clothes.

My sister made some bean bags for the kids to toss out of t-shirt cloth (you can also use dry rice in the "bean bag" so it's not as heavy).

Cut out a large square from the front of the tee and use as quilt blocks (but you may have to sew it onto a heavier fabric). If your kid has lots of tees he or she outgrew but liked, this makes a cute "memory" quilt. (I made one once using the front squares from sweatshirts -- a heavier material -- came out nice.)

Lastly, if they are like new, donate them to a shelter
or clothing charity.

Ness, co-list mom of WasteNothing


Link: WasteNothing

Posted on 01/06/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


By JDShadwick (4) Contact
I use old or those I don't like shirts when I color my hair or when I paint around the house, and sometime when I bleach things. Those that are too small, I have the children use when doing messy school projects, especially those that include painting! They can be used to dry off your car after washing or rubbing off wax (you might want to turn inside out to keep from scratching. Last, you can use them when you pack delicate holiday objects, or in boxes as packing material for shipping.

Posted on 01/04/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


By Lissco (5) Contact
My son has several t-shirts that, on cleaning day, just could not part with. I told him to come up with an idea so he could keep them. He decided he would take the best looking one and make a pillow out of it using the others as stuffing. It's a pretty heavy pillow but it's perfect for relaxing on the floor while watching a movie. Plus he learned the basics for sewing. Pretty good for an 11 year old.

Posted on 01/04/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


Because many of the giveaway T-shirts are size large take two that are the same size, cut off one of them right under the arms and sew the bottom section to the bottom of the whole shirt thereby lengthening it into a nightie or dress. You could add another bottom section to make it full length.

Another idea is to cut them into strips to make a rag rug or crochet pot holders.
- M.J.

Posted on 01/04/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


The excess Tee Shirts could go to a Homeless or Battered womens's shelter.
- Linne

Posted on 01/04/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


A good idea for an old worn out t-shirt is a throw away tissue when you have a baddddd cold and runny nose.
- Nell

Posted on 01/04/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


Extra T-shirts could be given to the men and women shelters in your town. They are very glad to have a shirt to wear.
- Nancy

Posted on 01/04/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


By catchdmc (4) Contact
I like the suggestion to donate tees to the homeless. I have also given all my unused tees to women's shelters, youth centers, and the school nurse. It's better to send a child home in a clean tee that's too big, than in a soiled, or torn shirt. Used tees make great dusting/polishing clothes. And, I cut sqares out of the material, add a small amount of liquid fabric softener for a substitute dryer sheet.

Posted on 01/03/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


By AZLEADFOOT2 (10) Contact
Why don't you donate them to the homeless. They would probably appreciate a nice clean tee shirt.

Posted on 01/03/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


By sendmailthere (1) Contact
A friend of mine took all of the t-shirts he never wore for one reason or another and pinned them to the ceiling of his bedroom (he has no ceiling fan), leaving them tacked loosely so they're kind of poofy. We all said it felt like sitting in the bottom of the laundry basket, but clean and fresh!

Another friend is going to take all his t-shirts from years of track meets and make a quilt with them.

Either idea with the t-shirt pillows could really add easy and cheap spunk to someone's bedroom.

Posted on 01/02/2002 | Report Spam or Abuse


By dsullivan10 (2) Contact
If you have any T-Shirts that are still in good shape, you could make some pillows out of them. Depending on the logo or design of the shirt, the pillow would make a great gift for a youth or teen boy. Just sew up all the openings (leaving an open area to place stuffing before closing of course). They make a great addition to a bed or to toss on the floor as a TV pillow. Good luck!

Posted on 12/22/2001 | Report Spam or Abuse


1x1
1x1
 Post Feedback:
1x1
1x1
1x1

Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.

1x1

© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com - Design by Cumuli Design
Disclaimer: ThriftyFun.com cannot accept any responsibility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or property when following any advice given on this site. Read the full disclaimer. If you find any information on ThriftyFun.com or in our newsletters that is either erroneous and/or potentially harmful to others, please Contact Us, immediately.