7 Ways to Repurpose Old Towels That You Probably Never Considered

Cutting an old towel into rags is certainly an option but there are more creative ways to repurpose old towels.

Towels don't expire. They just have to be used differently. Andrey_Kuzmin/Shutterstock

Face it—towels have a rough life. They start out all fluffy and full of promise, soaking up years of bathing and showers. Then, seemingly overnight, they turn into faded, scratchy threadbare rags that are one step away from being loofahs. But before you toss them in the trash (or shove them in the back of a linen closet for “later”), let’s talk about repurposing.

I don’t mean cutting them into a dozen mismatched cleaning rags—although, yes, that’s always an option. I mean getting creative! Here are seven more brilliant, surprisingly useful ways to breathe new life into those old towels.

1. Make a No-Sew Swiffer Pad

What it Is: Those disposable Swiffer pads are convenient but about as budget-friendly as a daily latte habit. Instead, cut your old towel into Swiffer-sized rectangles and use them as reusable mop pads.

Why It Works: The towel’s texture is perfect for grabbing dirt and dust. Just dampen it with your favorite floor cleaner (or a homemade vinegar solution), attach it to your mop, and clean away. When you’re done, toss it in the wash instead of the trash.

Bonus: Your floor stays clean, and your wallet stays a little thicker. Win-win!

2. Sew a Kitchen Pot Holder (Or Two)

What It Is: Towels are thick, absorbent and already a little heat-resistant, making them perfect for homemade pot holders or oven mitts.

Why It Works: Just fold an old towel in half (or triple-layer for extra protection), cut to size, and sew the edges. If you’re fancy, add a loop to hang it.

Added Bonus: You can make a matching set—because nothing says style like coordinated potholders.

3. DIY Doggy Drying Station

What It Is: If you have a dog, you know bath time is less “refreshing spa experience” and more “soapy tsunami with a side of fur.” Instead of using your good towels to dry them off, keep a stash of old towels near the door.

Why It Works: Old towels are absorbent, so they'll handle the job just fine. Plus, they’re already pre-loved, meaning you won’t cringe when your dog inevitably shakes water and mud everywhere like a tiny, four-legged sprinkler system.

4. Create a Comfortable Pet Bed

What It Is: a cozy, washable cushion for your furry friend.

Why It Works: Layer old towels together, sew the edges, and stuff them into a pillowcase or fabric cover. It’s the perfect way to upcycle those worn-out towels while giving your pet a soft place to snooze. And if your dog is anything like mine, it'll ignore the expensive pet bed you bought and sleep on this instead.

Proud moment or insult? You decide.

5. Use Them for DIY Heating Pads

What It Is: a microwaveable heating pad that doesn’t involve digging through a drawer of tangled cords.

Why It Works: Cut an old towel into a small square, fold it in half, and sew three sides. Fill it with uncooked rice, sew the last side shut and—voila!—a homemade heating pad. Microwave for about a minute and use it to soothe sore muscles, warm your freezing toes, or bribe your cat to sit on your lap.

Cheap, effective and without risk of burning the house down. What’s not to love?

6. Make a Beach or Car Seat Cover

What It Is: a simple, no-fuss way to keep your car seats from turning into a sticky, sandy mess.

Why It Works: If you have kids, a dog or an adventurous spouse who doesn’t mind hopping in the car still dripping from the pool, an old towel makes a great seat cover. Just drape it over the seat and let it absorb the damage so your upholstery doesn’t have to. Bonus points if you sew elastic straps on the corners to keep it in place.

You'll wonder why you ever paid for those fancy “spill-proof” car seat covers in the first place.

7. Make a DIY Bath Mat

What It Is: a plush, water-absorbing mat you can make in about 10 minutes.

Why It Works: If your current bath mat looks like it’s survived a flood, try this: Cut an old towel into a large rectangle, fold it in half, and sew the edges. For extra grip, you can sew strips of rubber shelf liner to the bottom or use puff paint to create a nonslip surface.

Fancy spa vibes, zero dollars spent.

8. Stick With the No-Brainer

Should you decide to skip the brilliant ideas and just go with cutting those towels into cleaning rags (not a bad idea actually), here’s the very best way to do that:

Use a pair of sharp fabric scissors to cut your old towels to size, then give the edges a gentle tug. This encourages the fibers to curl in, helping to minimize fraying and those pesky loose threads that seem to multiply with every wash.

The Case for Never Throwing Away a Towel Again

Towels might not have the longest glory days, but with a little creativity, they can live on far beyond their showering prime. Whether they’re mopping up spills, comforting pets or saving your car from the wrath of post-beach-day chaos, old towels are the unsung heroes of household recycling.

And should you need to just get those old towels out of the house, consider donating them to a local pet shelter. These facilities go through tons of laundry every day. They’re always looking for towels and rags to clean kennels and other areas of facilities and would be more than happy to take yours off your hands. Who knows, you just might come home with a new puppy or adorable kitten!

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