Ok, so I knew this one was going to be tricky! I mean, do people really want to upcycle their underwear? Isn't that just a little bit weird and ikky? So yes, I struggled to find ideas to feature here!
Cleaning
So, you can just cut them up and use the scraps for stuffing, or rags for cleaning. Some people may even find cleaning with old knickers just not right - but you could use them for those spills and messes that you just want to wipe up and throw away!
Quilts
Some underwear - particular kids ones have pretty pictures on. I've found plenty of mention of cutting out these parts and saving them to add to a memory quilt later.
Compost
If your underwear is 100% cotton, you can cut off the elastic and put them in the compost! At least then they are getting recycled!
Donate
You can of course donate your old underwear to charity shops.
For bras - there is a company in Australia I found called
Project Uplift
They collect bras and send them to women in disadvantaged countries for whom bras are often unobtainable or unaffordable. They have collection points in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
Make something new
One of the best uses I found for a bra, was to make it into a purse!
Also on the same site is a tutorial for a scented bra purse, and a
bra evening purse.
Or perhaps you could use a pretty bra for a planter:
And that I'm afraid is all I could find!
I have set up a pinterest board for upcycling underwear - but it's very sparse too!
Do you have any more ideas for old underwear?
This post made me giggle for sure! I love the idea of upcycling, and we actually have made our old underwear into rags. We cut off elastics and the parts that would be awkward to clean with. However, we don't use the rags for cleaning dishes, we use them mostly for messes like behind the laundry machine and in the garden. Much better than using clean rags or paper towels!
ReplyDeleteGlad to have provided a giggle! :) Yes, I think maybe rags could be the best use for old knickers!!
DeleteIf the elastic isn't shot, I'd definitely re-use that! :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! no point in letting the good bits go to waste! :)
Deletemy dirty little secret!!! I actually use the lace of some bras to embellish a t-shirt (I never posted it on my blog, tho!!!) but came out really pretty!! xox, d. P.S.: still haven't change my settings ... too sunny to stay inside and in front of my compurer !
ReplyDeleteOOh - great idea to reuse the pretty lace parts!! And no-one need ever know!
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ReplyDeleteCute ideas although I am not too sure about the planters！Giggle....
ReplyDeleteThanks Agy!
DeleteHa! The planter made me laugh! I can see there are some delicate issues to re-using unmentionables. Now I feel like I should brainstorm and come up with something...
ReplyDeleteOoooh - I'd love to see what you come up with!! I shall be watching your guess the mystery thing posts closely to see if underwear jewellery appears.... :)
DeleteI always use the elastic if it's going to be encased anyway it doesn't show. Great post Jill x
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruby!
DeleteLaughing out loud at the thought of my hubby coming home and seeing bra planters around the front porch!!! Might have to do that, just to see his reaction! LOL!!! Julia
ReplyDeleteNow there's an idea Julia! What a statement for the front of the house! :)
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