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Old washcloths - how to recycle?

NYBrideInWINYBrideInWI
in Eco-Friendly Family

Do you ladies have any suggestions of what to do with old washcloths? besides continuing to use them for bathing. 

I have a handful that are 8 or 9 years old, discolored, threads coming loose...and I just prefer not to use them for washing but seems like a waste to throw them in the garbage. They are too dingy for me to think its appropriate to donate them to goodwill or a shelter.

I've thought of using them for cleaning the house, but DH will just mix them back in with the laundry / good stuff. Also thought of cutting into strips and using them as stuffing for sewing projects.... 

TIA for any ideas! 

Married June '03. DS born Jan '09. DD born Feb '12. No, we didn't choose to be childless for the first 6 years, only the first 3.
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Re: Old washcloths - how to recycle?

  • BFab11BFab11 member
    You can use them as layers in cloth diapers if you sew any, or do strips and make it into a bath mat?  I've seen a bunch of braided rug tutes on Pinterest, but it might be a PITA with little short strips of washcloth rather than a bath towel.
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  • kdellokdello member
    Perhaps your local animal shelter could use them. Mine is always looking for linens and towels.
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  • LilyMonster2010LilyMonster2010 member
    I have a designated basket for "cleaning rags". I roll them up so they look cute, all multi colored. Then all of our bathing wash cloths are the same different color than the cleaning rags. Works out pretty easy for us. Also, if there were still nice ones but were difficult to differentiate, you could stow them in a guest bathroom. I also like the idea for donating to the pet shelter.
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  • NCMichelleNCMichelle member
    Ask any of your teacher friends if they would like them.  My students used whiteboards at their desks and my washcloths always went missing.
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  • CDMay2006CDMay2006 member

    Lurker here -- hello!

    Some goodwill stores take them to be recycled:

    What happens to donated items that aren?t sold at Goodwill stores?
    Our goal is to try to generate money to fund Goodwill programs from every item that is donated. So in most cases, we?ll do what we can to get items in salable shape.

    As for items that can?t be sold in our stores, we?ve found other creative uses for them. For instance, some member Goodwills recycle old clothing scraps into industrial wipes (cleaning cloths) for industrial buyers. Other items that are too damaged for retail sales are sold to salvage brokers.

    Also good for single/holey socks, etc.

     

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  • NYBrideInWINYBrideInWI
    Thanks for the suggestions ladies! I'll check into an animal shelter, and with my sis - she's a 2nd grade teacher, maybe she can use them in her classroom.
    Married June '03. DS born Jan '09. DD born Feb '12. No, we didn't choose to be childless for the first 6 years, only the first 3.
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  • mcginnie86mcginnie86
    I use excess baby wash cloths as cloth wipes. 
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