10 uses for an old T-shirt
On November 1, 2022, Massachusetts banned all textiles from the trash, taking a significant step in reducing the volume of waste that we bury or burn. Well, you ask, what do I do with my old t-shirts? Zero Waste Melrose has ideas that may fit you to a T. 😉
[100% cotton t-shirts yield optimal results, but all t-shirts will work fine.]
Fold the t-shirt into a duster for your home or car.
Wrap the t-shirt onto the bottom of an old mop and secure with pins or string to create a new, synthetic-free floor mop / spider web catcher / dust bunny chaser.
[With tips 1 and 2, spritz the t-shirt with a bit of water (and vinegar, if desired, for an anti-bacterial boost) to make a lint-free dusting and mopping marvel.]Assemble a set of window cleaning cloths – one to wash, one to dry – that won’t leave streaks.
Make a super-soft car wash sponge and a towel that absorbs moisture without leaving lint on the hood.
Wipe away paint drips and oops made during home improvement projects.
Twist and tie into a pet chew or catch n’ carry toy.
Shred and stuff into a homemade pet bed.
Cut t-shirts into strips or squares to pad fragile ornaments or insert in delicate drinking glasses for storage without scratches.
Braid and knot the t-shirt strips into yarn-like lengths, then weave or wind into rugs, baskets, mats, and more.
Sew (or ask someone with a sewing machine to sew) a memory quilt using squares cut from t-shirts with logos from favorite destinations or teams.
T-shirts that have been given a second life as dust or cleaning cloths, and even as a pet toy, quilt, or coverlet, can be washed in the laundry and hung to dry outside or run through a dryer.
