Ever wondered what you would do with your blanket or comforter after having used them for years? Think about it. Should you throw them away, or should you recycle them? These are the two primary thoughts that would have rushed your mind. Well, here’s your sign to consider repurposing them.
That’s right! There are so many ways of repurposing your comforters, blankets, sheets, bedding, or any piece of fabric for that matter. But unfortunately, we have been exposed to very few alternatives when dealing with cloth materials, particularly when it comes to heavy stuff like an old blanket or comforter. Most people end up throwing away their old blankets once they stop bringing warmth in the winter, simply because they don’t know what to do with them. This guide covers everything you need to know about repurposing comforters and blankets.
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What Is The Upside Of Repurposing?
Repurposing your cozy blankets can prove super helpful to you in ways you wouldn’t have imagined. For starters, it is a huge cost-saver! When you repurpose your blankets and comforters by putting them to use elsewhere in the house, you can cut the costs of several other items. For instance, if you repurpose your old blanket by turning it into a pillow cover, you easily save the cost of buying a new pillow cover.
In addition to that, another subtle benefit is that the return on investment on your blanket goes up. If you use a blanket for just a few years until it stops doing the job, you’re getting just as much as you paid. But when you extend its life by repurposing it in some way or another, its returns are increased.
You can do your bit of protecting the environmental balance by simply upcycling your blankets instead of throwing them away. You see, when a piece of fabric is processed and turned into a daily object, it demands a great abundance of resources, both artificial and natural. You can save some of it by repurposing your old blankets and contributing to the greater good of our planet.
Make Tote Bags
Let’s be honest; tote bags are the cutest form of carrying everyday items. So why not upcycle your old blanket and turn it into one? Oh, wait, not just one but many of them! The plus point of tote bags is not just that they look cute and classy at the same time, but also the fact that you can make them with any material. Bring any piece of fabric, be it cotton, jeans, bed sheets, and even your old carpet. Just cut the blank into smaller halves, and let the sewing machine do what it does best. In the end, you’ll have quite a few cute and quirky tote bags, perfect for your regular trips to the market.
Make Animal Beds
Just like a baby, animals too need comfort and warmth in their bed, and your old comforter can be an absolute luxury for them. All you need to do is put together some wooden pieces and turn them into a small bedding frame. You can also use a cardboard box or a small crate for this. After that, generously lay your old blanket and turn it into a cozy bed, perfect for cats and dogs. This will protect them from getting sick due to cold, as the blanket will provide complete warmth and comfort. Plus, you’ll save the cost of buying an actual pet bed from the store, which is honestly quite overpriced.
Making A Sleeping Bag
If you are a hiking and camping enthusiast or are simply an avid adventure traveler, you’d know the value of having a sleeping bag. But they don’t come at a low price, which is why most people tend to avoid buying one. But this is where your old blanket can be an aid. To create a sleeping bag, all you need to do is cut your blanket into two halves and use a sewing machine to attach a zipper. Doing so will enable you to close the sleeping bag the way it is intended to. This is possibly one of the best ways to upcycle your old blankets and comforters and turn them into something you’d always wanted.
Heating Or Cooling Pad
This is yet another super useful object that you can build out of your old blanket without hassle. Typically, you’d have to buy two different items to fulfill two different purposes. However, in this case, you can use a single blanket to create both- a heating pad and a cooling pad. You can do this by cutting a small part of your old blanket, stuffing it with rice grains, and stitching it back together. Next time you require a heating pad, microwave this little DIY pad. Whereas, if you need a cooling pad, store it in the freezer beforehand. In this way, you get a two-in-one system out of something you’d have otherwise thrown away.
Save For A Picnic
Picnics are always exciting, as long as you have all the essential items. Now, one of the integral objects needed for picnics is a picnic mat. You cannot miss out on a picnic mat; otherwise, it will be a messy day instead of a refreshing one. Again, in this case, too, your old blankets can come in handy. You don’t need to do anything about it. Just bring it along, spread it over the ground, and have a wonderful picnic on it. This is a straightforward and effortless way of upcycling your old blankets and putting them to good use.
You Can Donate Them
If none of these ideas make sense to you, or you don’t wish to keep old blankets and comforters at home, the best way forward is to donate them. Instead of letting them go to waste, which will increase the garbage overload and tax the environment, donate them to the needy. You can offer your old blankets and comforters to the homeless so that they can stay warm on cold nights. Otherwise, you may donate them to an animal shelter as they always need comforters for several pets.
CONCLUSION
In a nutshell, there is quite a lot you can do with used old blankets and comforters. There are so many possibilities, from DIY-ing your way through life to actually changing someone else’s life. Remember, what may seem a waste to you can be an absolute gift to someone else. So, always think before letting anything go straight to the bin. Upcycling and donating can go a long way in the interest of both- our planet and its people.
