What old bedding can be used for
Short answer: Old bedding works as dust sheets over furniture, as cloths for windows, as a mat when painting and as bags for storage. Sheets are large, flat and lint free.
Dust sheets for furniture
An old sheet covers a sofa, a shelf or a table while you paint or move things around. It is large enough to cover whole pieces of furniture, and it is easy to fold up again. Leave it in place until the dust has settled, and shake it out outdoors afterwards. See bamboo sheets.
For painting and moving
An old sheet is large enough to cover a whole floor or a sofa. It is the cheapest protection there is, and it can be washed afterwards. Note that paint can soak through thin fabric, so use two layers if you work with very wet paint.
For windows
Woven cotton without lint leaves no streaks on glass. Cut a sheet into squares and use them for windows and mirrors. Change the cloth when it gets wet, so the glass stays clear. Keep a small pile ready, then you do not have to cut new ones every time.
Squares from a sheet
A sheet gives many cloths. Mark out squares of about thirty centimetres and cut along the seam to avoid the hard edges. Seams and the elastic on a fitted sheet should be removed, as should zips on a duvet cover, or they can scratch a surface. Keep the cloths in a basket within reach.
For storage
A pillowcase is a ready made fabric bag for seasonal clothes, and unlike plastic it lets air through. Fold the clothes and put them in the case before they go up in the loft. Mark it with a pen so you know what you are looking for when the season changes. See bamboo pillowcases.
Duvet covers for winter clothes
A duvet cover holds a whole set of winter clothes. Put folded jumpers and socks inside and close it with a ribbon, or sew on a zip or buttons if they are missing. That gives you a large bag that can sit in a cupboard or under the bed and can be washed when the season is over.
Can you sew something from an old sheet
Yes. There is plenty of fabric, and it is easy to sew. You can make fabric bags, aprons or curtains for a small shelf. If you have no sewing machine, you can sew bags by hand with simple stitches. Start with something small to see whether the fabric suits the job.
Wash it first
Wash the bedding before it gets a new job. That removes dust and makes the fabric softer, and you can see whether it is thin enough to tear. Dry it completely before you fold it away, so it does not smell musty in the cupboard. Use the same temperature as before, then there are no surprises.
When bedding should be replaced
When the fabric is thin enough to tear in the wash, it is no longer for the bed. Then it can become cloths, dust sheets or storage, while the best parts are used longest. If it cannot serve any purpose, it is time for textile collection. See homewear in bamboo.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sew something from an old sheet
Yes. There is plenty of fabric, and it is easy to sew. You can make fabric bags, aprons or curtains for a small shelf, even if you only have a needle and thread and sew by hand.
Are duvet covers good for storage
They are large enough for a whole set of winter clothes. Close them with a ribbon or a zip and put them in a cupboard or under the bed, so the clothes do not gather dust.
When should bedding be replaced
When the fabric is thin enough to tear in the wash. Then it is too worn for the bed, but it can still serve as cloths, dust sheets or storage before it goes to textile collection.
See our range of Nordic Weaving bedding.
