5 Ways to Repurpose Old Clothes That Will Really Surprise You

As we continue to declutter our closets, wardrobes, and dressers in favor of swapping out our winter wear, you've likely come across your fair share of garments you no longer need.

While donating, regifting, or handing down old clothes is one great way to reduce clutter, sometimes, that’s not possible. From holes to stains to unfortunate laundry accidents that lead to misshapen items rendered unwearable, there are plenty of reasons some garments need to be retired for good.

Even if you have a good reason for wanting to toss an item of clothing, it can still feel extremely wasteful—so why not reuse it around your home and garden?

We turned to the experts to find out their top tips for repurposing old clothes and other home textiles.

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According to Jenny Davis of Forest Garden, garments made of cotton, wool, and linen are great to reuse and recycle in your own garden.

Consider old sheets and blankets for frost protection for young seedlings, old t-shirts or leggings to create climbing vine supports, or use anything as stuffing for your autumnal scarecrows.

“Natural fiber clothing like cotton or linen can also be torn up and added to your compost bin, or lay down old sheets or cloth under mulch to suppress weed growth,” Davis says. 

Unless they're unworn, old tights and stockings definitely fall under the do-not-donate category. But before you throw them away, household expert Emily Norris says you actually don’t have to toss them out for good. 

«Make natural deodorizers for your laundry basket, kids’ shoes, or smelly sports shoes by using the foot of an old pair of tights,” she says. 

Do this by cutting off the foot and filling it with baking soda and ten or so drops of essential oils.