10 Ways to Reuse Bed Sheets When They’re No Good for Sleeping

A long time ago I decided that I only wanted to sleep on the best. Bed sheets, pillow, mattresses – I finally bought into the idea that you spend a third of your life sleeping so you might as well do it in the best conditions possible. And then I found out there was a lot more to it than just making the decision. Just a quick read of a bed sheet guide will show you things are a bit more complicated than I assumed. But I got across it and managed to put together the best bedroom set up for me (and I started sleeping like and angel). But then I had a different problem. A first-world problem to be sure but a problem nonetheless. After shelling out so much for quality bed sheets, I didn’t really feel comfortable just getting rid of them when they started to wear through. So I got creative! Below are my tip 10 ways to re-use bed sheet when they’re no longer good for sleeping.

Picnic blankets

Why spend money on fancy picnic blankets when you basically have some already? Most bed sheets are perfect for the purpose, and all the better if they’re colourful or patterned. If the ground is a bit damp, all you need to do is fold the sheet over once or twice. Your family outing or romantic lunch is sorted without any extra hassle.

Pets

Speaking of dogs, old bed sheets make excellent pet blankets. Put an old sheet in your cat or dog’s basket or favourite place to lie in the house for extra comfort. Alternatively, you can fashion a super simple dog toy by cutting a sheet into strips and then braiding these. If you don’t have pets, consider donating your old bed sheets to your local animal shelter, as they tend to need all the supplies they can get.

Cleaning

Old sheets can easily be a greener, cheaper alternative to disposable cleaning products. Use them in the garage or garden for your messy hands and shoes, turn them into rags for cleaning the floor or other surfaces, or use them to pat down your dog after an especially muddy or wet walk.

Plant protection

If you’re worried that your plants won’t withstand the chill, help them out by covering them with an old bed sheet. It will trap some of the warmth from the ground and keep out a light frost. This works especially well if you place a fitted sheet over a raised flower bed.

Kids’ forts

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Who doesn’t like building a fort? You can use old bed sheets to build a fort for an excellent time even in bad weather. Or, if you’re feeling extra creative, have a look at this bed for guide on how to make a simple, no-sew teepee for the kids. Old bed sheets… or a grand fortress?

Movie screen

What’s a better way to watch a film than on a big screen? If you want to create your own cinema-sized screen, all you need to do is hang up a sheet. This way you don’t need to worry about not having any white walls, and you can even fashion an outdoor cinema. Don’t have a projector? You can find fairly cheap second-hand ones online, or rent or borrow one from places in your area.

Shopping bag

You’ll be surprised how easy it is to refashion pillowcases into tote bags. You’ll be helping the environment, and you’ll avoid accumulating drawers full of plastic bags in your home. You’ll also save the money you would spend to buy one. And as an added bonus, you might just have the most stylish shopping bag in the store.

Clothes

If you like sewing or want to learn, making old bed sheets into new clothes is a great project for you. It’s especially wonderful for beginners because you won’t be wasting any expensive material. Consider starting with something simple, like a loose summer dress or some pyjama pants, depending on what kind of bedsheets you have.

Packing material

Whether you’re moving, travelling, or storing your belongings, bubble wrap and butcher’s paper are useful, but they’re very wasteful and can be expensive. Instead, ensure the safety of your fragile objects by wrapping them up in old bed sheets. Not only are they reusable and very versatile, but they’re completely free! You can fold or crumple them to prevent things from rattling around, use them to wrap scratch-prone objects, and so much more.

Decoration

There are many cool things you can fashion out of old sheets, including crib mobiles, curtains, fabric-covered clothes hangers, embroidered wall decorations, quilts, and anything else you can think of. Stay busy, get crafty, and add some colour to your home. If this sounds like a good idea but you’re not sure you could do it, consider going to sewing or quilting classes, or just delve into the unlimited resource that is the internet.

Article by Jade Emily