Blankets, sheets and comforters are a large part of bedroom décor as well as a huge part of our lives. So often, we become attached to the items we sleep on every night and have a hard time letting them go when they are old and worn out. Here are some ideas you can use to hold onto those items a bit longer.
1. Make stuffed animals out of your old chenille blankets (you can use patchwork quilts for this as well. You can purchase “E-Z Sew” stuffed animal patterns from your local quilt store and use your old bedding instead of store purchased fabric. These soft warm blankets make excellent companions for your little ones and make great gifts.
2. Re-use quilts and blankets that have seen better days, but are still cozy, by making a duvet cover for them. To make the duvet cover you can use two flat sheets the same size as your blanket and sew them together along three sides. Slip your old blanket into new cover and close the third edge with ties or buttons.
3. An old worn blanket may still be useful as a mattress pad for your bed. Simply put the blanket on the bed before you put on the fitted sheet. It will provide extra protection and comfort to your bed. If your bed is too hard, add several old blankets under the sheet.
4. Old sheets and blankets can be used to pack valuables when moving or storing items. They will give more protection than newspaper and keep your items from getting dirty. They can be used whole to give a box more cushion at the bottom or cut into squares to place between items.
5. Use old sheets and blankets that are not useable in any other way as paint tarps. If you are an especially messy painter, you will want to put down a sheet of plastic first.
6. Use an old sheet for the lining of a new quilt. After you have made the face of your patchwork quilt, use the flat sheet as the underside.
7. Fleece winter blankets make great all-purpose rags. Cut an old worn blanket into squares and use them to clean messes, wipe noses, and to dust your home.
8. Animal shelters and veterinary hospitals need blankets to keep animals comfortable. Call you local shelters to find out if they can take a donation before you put your old bedding in the trash.
9. Old blankets are invaluable in the event of a car emergency. They can be used as bandages in the event of an injury where there are no emergency personnel. They are good for comfort in the event you are stranded in cold weather. They can also be used to get your tires out of mud or ice.
10. If your old sheets become discolored, you can make them new again with fabric dye. Use a vibrant color like red, or a dark color like blue to give them new life. You can also create tie-dye designs. Be sure to wash your re-designed sheets a few times before using them to remove the excess dye.
