I can't adequately express how much I love white bedding. I've tried other colours, but it's just not the same. I think that's why I have more pillowcases in my fabric bin than most people I know, as yet no amount of my laundry TLC can bring them back when they take on a beige tinge. Thankfully there's no shortage of handy re-uses for old pillowcases.
1. Clean ceiling fans. Hook your old pillow case over a fin of the ceiling fan, hold the end and slide it along the fin. The pillow case traps all the dust and when you're done you can take it outside, turn it inside out, shake it clean and wash it as usual.
2. Clean ceiling cornices. Put an old pillow case over the end of a broom. Secure it and run the broom along the cornices. The pillow case protects the paint and walls, as it collects the dust and spiders webs.
3. Store ham joints. Pillow cases make perfect storage for festive hams. Store the ham inside the clean pillow case and secure the end. They keep the ham fresh, your fridge odour free and they're easy to reopen and reseal.
4. Wash beanie toys and canvas shoes. Put soft toys, washable beanie toys and canvas shoes in a pillow case before you put them in the washing machine. Secure the end so they don't spin loose and they will protect the breakable and protect your washing machine.
5. Stuffing and plant ties. Cut your old pillow cases into strips and use them to top up stuffing or use the ties to secure plants to stakes.
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Stick one in your suitcase as a travel laundry bag. That way you can easily keep your dirty clothes and clean clothes separate.
and as a rag
"no amount of my laundry TLC can bring them back when they take on a beige tinge"
Sun bleaching after washing usually prevents this from happening...and, in many cases, can reverse any dinginess that is already there
...most of these can be accomplished with any rag, and are not pillow case specific.
Store ham joints??
We used them to collect our candy at Halloween when I was a kid.
Tie-dye those suckers and bring them back to life as pillowcases!
When I was housebreaking my dogs I found that the crate tray was exactly the same size as a pillowcase. I'd slide the tray in the pillowcase with an old towel for padding-- it made for nice bedding that didn't slide around or get balled up in a corner.
I've seen tutorials for turning them into "green" tote bags for hauling produce, flea market finds, etc. Some of the tutorials were even no-sew.
I use old pillow cases and drawstring bags (the kind that some new sets of sheets come packaged in) as nests for my pet rats. They love them. A corner can be clipped/tied the the cage to keep it open.
store and crisp your washed salad greens in a pillowcase in the fridge
dye and turn into pillowcase dresses for the summer. daughter loves how soft and broken in the cotton is. :)
I cut a hold in the center of the creased end and use them as garment bags to protect my blazers.
Use as sheets for babies, either in a Moses basket or in a buggy. Usually the pillowcases are the right size to fit the mattress so its like a fitted sheet. Lovely and soft for baby!
Little Dresses for Africa---made out of pillow cases.
http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/
Dust bags for my purses...
Shoe bags for travel...
Extra pillow protection for crazy hair experiments...
If your kitten is squeamish during car rides, put a bankers box on your lap, place pillowcase with a toy in the box, place kitty in the case.
Off topic,but...reminds me of how I used to recycle my t shirts. I wore them to work,(I painted commercial signs) til they were just too paint covered, then I slept in them. Then when they were just so limp it would have been embarrassing if anyone saw me in one, I used them as cleaning rags for my vehicle.
Oh, and I usually got them from a thrift store, so, I like to say I want to get my money's worth, but I get mine and someone else's too! lol
I second dahliamoon!
The ceiling fan tip sounds like it may be used very soon in my home. We have one of those fan brush things but all the tiny lint pieces end up in my eyes/on the floor its really annoying.
In our home we use a really old flattened pillow along w/ old pillowcases and put it on top of the chair that my dog(s) sleep on.
I third Daliamoon.
Two pillow cases stay by the door for my emergency preparedness pet kit. Its easier to carry a kitty out in that then to try to stuff them in their carrier if you need to evacuate your home quickly.
these are very basic and un-useful tips. you could do this with most fabrics.
instead of thinking of yourself, save the girls who are less fortunate than us!!
visit : "http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/pillowcasedress.htm" for more details. xx