If you have old towels sitting in the back of your closet, you're not alone. Most households hold onto towels long after they've lived a whole, useful life. People hang onto them because tossing them feels wasteful, yet they also don't look good enough for guests or even day-to-day use. That awkward middle ground leads to clutter.
Below are 10 Ways to Upcycle Old Towels Instead of Throwing Them Out.
Use Them as Rags
Old towels might not look glamorous, yet they make some of the most absorbent and sturdy cleaning rags. The fibers in worn towels are usually softer and more flexible, which helps them grab dirt and spills better than some store-bought cleaning cloths. A friend of mine who runs a small cleaning business said her crew prefers old cotton towels over microfiber because they're more forgiving on surfaces.
Cut the towel into smaller squares if you want a set of multi-purpose rags. Keep a few for kitchen messes, a couple for garage work, and the rest for dusting. You'll be surprised by how fast they become your go-to cleaning tools.
Use Them for DIY Projects
Towels are incredibly forgiving materials for DIY projects. They're thick, durable, and easy to stitch—even if you're working with a cheap, slightly fussy sewing machine. A friend once used old towels to make soft drawer liners that looked surprisingly high-end. She simply trimmed her towels to size and added a stitched border using leftover thread.
You can use old towels to make drink cozies, floor pads, mop covers, or even padded camera wraps. These small projects save money and add comfort to your home. They're also perfect for beginners who want a sewing project that doesn't punish mistakes.
Use Them for Insulation
Insulation doesn't have to come from a hardware store. In older homes, drafty spaces are a real issue. Homeowners often stuff towels at the base of a door or inside a cabinet to keep cold air from sneaking in. Towels trap heat because cotton fibers absorb air and retain it, reducing heat transfer.
Your towels can help seal gaps, insulate pet crates, or quiet noisy laundry appliances. You might not think of a towel as an insulation material, but it works remarkably well when you need a quick fix.
Ironing Board Pads and Covers
Ironing boards wear down faster than we expect. The padding gets thin or scorched, especially if you iron frequently. Replacing the entire board or even the cover can cost more than you'd think.
Old towels solve this problem. Their thickness makes them ideal as replacement padding. Cut a towel to match the board's size, tuck it under the existing cover, and secure it in place. If your cover is torn, you can even stitch a custom one using part of the towel. A tailor I know swears by towel padding because it distributes heat evenly and gives clothing a smoother finish.
This is one of those household upgrades that feels tiny but changes your routine: less wrinkling, fewer scorch marks, better results.
Sewing Projects
Old towels can be turned into countless sewn creations. The texture makes them ideal for items that require both softness and durability. Think about kitchen pot holders, bath mats, and even reusable cosmetic pads.
Many people sew small toiletries bags using old towels as lining. The absorbent interior protects against product spills and keeps the bag structured. I once saw a designer at a craft fair selling "towel travel kits," all made from repurposed towel interiors. Customers loved the concept because it combined sustainability with practicality.
Sewing with towels doesn't require expert skills. The fabric is thick, yes, but it also hides imperfections. If you've ever been hesitant to sew, this is the best material to start with.
Door Stopper
Door stoppers don't feel like a significant household need—until you don't have one. Whether your doors swing too freely or you want to keep them open during hot weather, a weighted towel door stopper works beautifully.
Roll an old towel tightly, secure the ends with string or rubber bands, and stuff the center with rice or sand. That extra weight keeps doors from moving. I once made one for a family member who lived in a windy apartment complex. Her doors slammed shut constantly until we came up with this quick DIY solution.
Use for Pets
Anyone with pets knows how quickly bedding gets destroyed. Dogs dig, cats knead, and both shed endlessly. Old towels are perfect for pet beds, crate liners, or car seat protectors. They wash easily and dry quickly, making them excellent additions to any pet-friendly home.
A local veterinary clinic in my area accepts towel donations and uses them to help animals recover. They explained that towels provide warmth, softness, and a sense of comfort for pets under stress. If you don't have pets, donating towels is a fantastic way to keep them out of landfills while helping animals in need.
Make Homemade Baby Wipes
Baby wipes cost more than you think over time. The average parent uses thousands of disposable wipes in the first year alone. Some new parents turn old towels into reusable wipes by cutting them into palm-size squares, washing them, and storing them in a small bin.
One parent I met at a workshop said switching to reusable towel wipes saved her over $300 during her baby's first year. She kept them in a glass jar with a homemade solution of warm water, baby soap, and a drop of coconut oil. It was simple, affordable, and gentle on her child's skin.
Keep a Stash in Your Car
Cars collect random messes fast. Spilled coffee, muddy shoes, wet umbrellas—there's always something. Towels are perfect for these moments because they do more than absorb liquids. They protect seats, help with unexpected rain, and even double as makeshift cushions during long drives.
I knew a rideshare driver who kept four towels in his trunk. He used them constantly for passengers with sandy feet, luggage with wet wheels, or accidental drink spills. Those towels saved his ratings more than once.
You never know what will happen on the road. Keeping a few towels within reach is a smart, low-effort habit.
Sew a Quilted Towel Blanket
This project takes more time, but it produces something both functional and heartwarming. A quilted towel blanket is made from multiple towel squares stitched together into a thick, cozy throw. It's great for picnics, outdoor seating, pets, or cold nights.
My aunt created one during the pandemic when she couldn't access craft stores. She stitched together eight old towels, added a border from leftover fabric, and gave the blanket to her grandson. He uses it as a play mat because the thick cushions cushion the fall and block the cold floor.
The beauty of a towel quilt is that each piece tells a tiny story. Some squares come from beach trips, others from old gym sessions. It's a sentimental and sustainable creation.
FAQs
1. Can any type of towel be upcycled? Most towels work, but cotton towels are the most versatile. Microfiber towels can be reused, too, though they behave differently when sewn.
2. How do I know if a towel is too worn out to repurpose? If fibers crumble in your hands or the towel smells even after washing, it might be time to retire it altogether.
3. What's the easiest upcycling idea for beginners? Cutting towels into rags is the simplest option.
4. Are upcycled towels machine-washable? Yes, most projects can go straight into the washer.
5. Why is towel upcycling becoming more popular? Sustainability awareness, rising costs, and DIY culture all contribute.
Conclusion
Old towels offer more value than we often realize. They can become cleaning tools, comfort items, insulation, craft materials, or even gifts. Each of these 10 Ways to Upcycle Old Towels Instead of Throwing Them Out helps you save money, reduce waste, and get creative with what you already have.
Before you toss your next towel, ask yourself: "Could this be useful one more time?"
References
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Textiles: Material-Specific Data – https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/textiles-material-specific-data
- Council for Textile Recycling (CTR) – http://www.weardonaterecycle.org/
- SMART Association – https://www.smartasn.org/
- University of Missouri Extension – https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6956
Tags
- Upcycling
- Zero Waste
- Home Organization
- DIY Projects
- Sustainable Living
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