What old t-shirts can be used for
Short answer: Old t-shirts can become lint free cloths, bags for storage, mats under heavy things and clothes for painting jobs. Jersey is soft and lint free, so it suits many small jobs around the home.
As lint free cloths
Jersey leaves no lint on glass and shiny surfaces. That makes an old t-shirt a good starting point for cleaning windows, mirrors or screens. The fabric is soft on the surface and reaches into corners. Cut off the sleeves and seams, and the front and back become two good cloths. See bamboo hoodies for men.
How to cut up a t-shirt
Lay the t-shirt flat on a table. Cut the sleeves off just outside the seam and cut away the neckline. Then cut the body open along the side seams, so you have two flat pieces. Divide them into squares if you want smaller cloths. Jersey does not fray when cut, so you do not need to sew anything.
T-shirts with prints
T-shirts with prints can be used too, but cut the print away. It does not absorb and can rub off onto what you are wiping. Use the parts without print instead, for example the sleeves or one side of the body. That way you can use the whole t-shirt without taking a risk with the printed parts.
As painting clothes
A t-shirt you no longer wear is better than ruining something new. When you paint, repair things or potter in the garden, it is pleasant to wear something that is allowed to get stained. Look in the drawer for t-shirts that are too worn or no longer fit, and set them aside for the purpose.
A fixed painting pile
If you keep a fixed painting pile, it gets used every time something needs painting or repairing, and you do not have to think about what you are wearing. Keep the pile in a cupboard or in the cellar where you store painting supplies. Then the clothes are at hand, and you avoid digging out something nice at the last minute.
As a bag
Sew the bottom hem shut and the body of the t-shirt becomes a bag. Cut off the sleeves and neck and sew along the lower edge with simple stitches. The bag is soft and works for shoes, seasonal clothes or the small things that otherwise clutter the cupboard. If you do not want to sew, tie the corners together. See bamboo t-shirts for women.
As a mat under heavy things
Folded t-shirts make good mats under heavy things. Put one under a potted plant, a furniture leg or a box you need to push across the floor, so the surface does not get scratched. The fabric is soft and gives a little, and it is easy to replace if it gets dirty. It is a simple way to get more out of a garment.
How many cloths you get
From a t-shirt you typically get two to four cloths, depending on the size. If the t-shirt is large, you can divide the front and back into several squares. If it is small, you make do with two. With a pile of old t-shirts you can quickly fill a basket with cloths for the home.
What cannot be used
Not every t-shirt is suitable. If the fabric has become hard or paper thin, it absorbs poorly, and it is better to hand it in for textile collection. The same goes for t-shirts with large, hard prints or sequins. Put them in a bag for textile collection so they are recycled instead of sitting in the drawer. See bamboo training clothes for women.
Frequently asked questions
Does jersey fray when you cut it
No. The edge curls in instead of unravelling. That makes jersey easy to cut into cloths, because you do not need to sew along the edge or worry about the fabric coming apart at the seams.
Are t-shirts with prints usable as cloths
Cut the print away. It does not absorb and can rub off. Use the parts of the t-shirt without print instead, so you get cloths that actually take up water and moisture.
How many cloths do you get from a t-shirt
Two to four, depending on the size. A large t-shirt gives more squares, and a small one typically gives two cloths from the front and back once the sleeves and seams are cut off.
See our range of bamboo t shirts for men.
