Don't throw out that t-shirt
Kaleigh Rectenwald
Issue date: 1/12/09 Section: Features
When you are actively involved in campus activities, your T-shirt collection quickly becomes overwhelming. Adding those to the ones you collected over high school, the inventory of cotton becomes more than one can ever wear. But before you begin throwing away this large pile of T-shirts, here are some creative ways to recycle them.
The first thing you can recycle your old T-shirts into is facial wipes. Because cotton is durable and does not fray easily when you cut it, it can easily be cut into squares and then used with facial astringent. This will come in handy when you are removing makeup for the night. After you use it, they can be thrown into the washer and reused over and over again. This will save you money because you will not have to purchase cotton pads that are often used with astringent, and you will be helping the environment by using the item over and over.
You can also cut up old T-shirts to make rags. You can use these rags when you are dusting your room or cleaning out your car. Again, they can be washed and used over and over so you are not wasting items like paper towels with a single use. They are also handy when you need to check the oil in your car.
With your old T-shirts, you can also make pet toys. Your dog will love them because they will smell like you and they will be attached to them because of the scent. To make this fun toy, cut a rectangle out of your old shirt. Roll the rectangle widthwise forming a long tube and finally, make as many knots as possible in the roll. You will end up with a favorite toy for your faithful friend.
With shirts that have graphics that remind you of a special club or event you participated in, cut this portion of the shirt out. The remaining portion can be made into rags. You can now put the graphic on new, nicer fabric. Repeat with all the old shirts you have. After, you can stitch all of these together and form a quilt. Every time you snuggle up under it you will be reminded of what the old shirts meant, and you will have a souvenir to talk to your children about one day. You can also make pillows out of the old T-shirts. You follow the same concept as a blanket, but cut two squares and stitch them together while they are inside out. Leave a small opening, and flip the pillow so the graphic is now on the outside. Stuff, close the whole, and you have a new throw pillow for your room!
If nothing else, donate your old shirts. If they are in good condition, local thrift stores or Salvation Army locations will gladly take them. If not, drop them at nearby elementary schools, preschools, or day care centers for kids to wear as paint smocks. Happy recycling!
The first thing you can recycle your old T-shirts into is facial wipes. Because cotton is durable and does not fray easily when you cut it, it can easily be cut into squares and then used with facial astringent. This will come in handy when you are removing makeup for the night. After you use it, they can be thrown into the washer and reused over and over again. This will save you money because you will not have to purchase cotton pads that are often used with astringent, and you will be helping the environment by using the item over and over.
You can also cut up old T-shirts to make rags. You can use these rags when you are dusting your room or cleaning out your car. Again, they can be washed and used over and over so you are not wasting items like paper towels with a single use. They are also handy when you need to check the oil in your car.
With your old T-shirts, you can also make pet toys. Your dog will love them because they will smell like you and they will be attached to them because of the scent. To make this fun toy, cut a rectangle out of your old shirt. Roll the rectangle widthwise forming a long tube and finally, make as many knots as possible in the roll. You will end up with a favorite toy for your faithful friend.
With shirts that have graphics that remind you of a special club or event you participated in, cut this portion of the shirt out. The remaining portion can be made into rags. You can now put the graphic on new, nicer fabric. Repeat with all the old shirts you have. After, you can stitch all of these together and form a quilt. Every time you snuggle up under it you will be reminded of what the old shirts meant, and you will have a souvenir to talk to your children about one day. You can also make pillows out of the old T-shirts. You follow the same concept as a blanket, but cut two squares and stitch them together while they are inside out. Leave a small opening, and flip the pillow so the graphic is now on the outside. Stuff, close the whole, and you have a new throw pillow for your room!
If nothing else, donate your old shirts. If they are in good condition, local thrift stores or Salvation Army locations will gladly take them. If not, drop them at nearby elementary schools, preschools, or day care centers for kids to wear as paint smocks. Happy recycling!
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