Old Towel Upcycles: 14 Clever Ideas That Give Worn Towels a Second Life

Old towel upcycles are proof that the scratchy, faded towels hiding at the back of your linen closet still have plenty of life left in them. We all have a few: the one with the frayed edge, the beach towel from a trip years ago, the bath sheet that lost its fluff. Instead of tossing them, crafty folks are braiding, cutting and stitching them into bath mats, pet toys, beach bags and cozy little comforts for the home. Most of these ideas take an afternoon, cost almost nothing and need only scissors, a few pins and basic stitches. Some do not need a needle at all. Grab your oldest towels, put on a good playlist and see how many of these clever projects you can make this weekend..

Old Towel Upcycles Start With a Braided Bath Mat

A braided bath mat is the star of old towel upcycles, and it is so simple. You cut towels into long strips, braid them like hair and coil the braid into a circle, stitching as you go. Mixing pastel colors makes a happy, soft mat that feels lovely under bare feet. One mat uses about three or four bath towels, so it is a great way to clear out a whole shelf. Which colors would you braid together..

You will need: 3 or 4 old bath towels, sharp fabric scissors, a ruler, safety pins, a large needle and strong thread.

How to make it: 1. Cut towels into strips about 3 inches wide. 2. Pin three strips together and braid them. 3. Coil the braid into a flat circle. 4. Stitch the coils together from the back as you go.

No-Sew Dog Bed Cover

Your dog does not care if a towel is faded, and that makes old towels perfect for a dog bed cover. Lay two towels on top of each other, cut slits around the edges and tie the strips together like a fleece blanket. Stuff it with an old pillow or a second towel and you have a soft bed that goes straight into the washer. It is a sweet weekend gift for a furry friend. Will your pup claim it right away?

You will need: 2 large old towels, an old pillow or extra towels for stuffing, fabric scissors and a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Stack the two towels with the right sides out. 2. Cut 3 inch slits every inch all the way around. 3. Tie the top and bottom strips together in double knots. 4. Slip the stuffing in before tying the last side.

Towel Rope Pet Toy

Thick towel strips make a chunky tug toy that dogs love to shake and pull. Braid three bright strips, tie tight knots at both ends and trim the tails. It takes about ten minutes and saves a trip to the pet store. Always watch your pet while they play, and toss the toy once it starts to come apart. Could this become your dog’s new favorite?

You will need: 1 old towel in one or more colors, fabric scissors and a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Cut three strips about 2 inches wide and 20 inches long. 2. Tie a tight knot at one end. 3. Braid the strips firmly. 4. Finish with a second tight knot and trim the ends.

Hooded Toddler Towel

Little ones look adorable in a hooded towel, and you can make one from an old bath towel and a hand towel. Fold a corner of the hand towel into a hood, stitch it to the middle of the big towel and add felt or terry eyes for a duck, bear or frog face. Bath time suddenly turns into playtime. It also makes a lovely handmade baby shower gift. What animal face would your little one pick?

You will need: 1 bath towel, 1 hand towel, felt or terry scraps, pins, a sewing machine or needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Fold the hand towel in half and stitch one short side to make a hood. 2. Pin the hood to the center of the bath towel edge. 3. Sew it in place. 4. Stitch on felt eyes and a bill or ears.

Old Towel Upcycles for Cleaning Day

The most practical of all old towel upcycles is also the easiest. Cut worn towels into squares, zigzag the edges and stack them in a basket under the sink. They grab dust, wipe spills and polish windows, then go right into the wash. Many families find they buy far fewer paper towels after making a stack. Color code them so kitchen cloths and bathroom cloths never mix. How many squares can one towel make for you?

You will need: Old towels, fabric scissors or pinking shears, a ruler, a sewing machine (optional) and a basket.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the towels. 2. Cut them into 10 inch squares. 3. Zigzag stitch the edges or use pinking shears. 4. Fold and store them in a basket.

Reusable Makeup Remover Rounds

Soft towel scraps make sweet little rounds for removing makeup or applying toner. Trace a glass, cut out circles and stitch two together with a zigzag edge. Keep them in a jar on the counter and toss them in a small mesh bag on wash day. They also make a thoughtful little gift tied with ribbon. Would you rather use white or pastel towels for these?

You will need: Soft towel scraps, a drinking glass to trace, a fabric marker, scissors, a sewing machine and a mesh laundry bag.

How to make it: 1. Trace circles on the towel with a glass. 2. Cut them out in pairs. 3. Zigzag stitch each pair together around the edge. 4. Store them in a jar.

Car Wash Mitt

A thick old towel makes a great car wash mitt that holds plenty of soapy water. Trace around your hand with lots of extra room, cut two layers and sew them together, leaving the wrist open. A strip of elastic at the cuff keeps it from slipping off. Kids love helping with car wash day when they have their own mitt. Should you make a matching drying mitt too?

You will need: 1 old thick towel, paper for a pattern, pins, scissors, elastic and a sewing machine or needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Trace a mitten shape larger than your hand. 2. Cut two layers from the towel. 3. Sew around the edges, leaving the wrist open. 4. Stitch elastic inside the cuff.

Old Towel Upcycles for Summer: A Striped Beach Bag

That bright striped beach towel from vacation can become the bag you carry to the beach next summer. Fold it in half, sew up the sides and add rope or webbing handles. The terry soaks up drips from wet swimsuits and shakes clean of sand. Add an inside pocket for sunglasses and keys if you like. Isn’t it fun when one memory turns into a new one?

You will need: 1 striped beach towel, cotton rope or webbing for handles, pins, a sewing machine and strong thread.

How to make it: 1. Fold the towel in half with right sides together. 2. Sew both side seams. 3. Fold over the top edge and hem it. 4. Stitch on two rope handles securely.

Old Towel Upcycles for Hair: Scrunchies and Headbands

Soft towel scrunchies are gentle on hair and so quick to sew. A long strip of towel wrapped around elastic gives you a fluffy scrunchie in minutes. A wider strip twisted in the middle makes a cute knot headband for washing your face or doing a face mask. These old towel upcycles are perfect for using up small scraps. Which pastel color would you start with?

You will need: Towel scraps, 1/4 inch elastic, a safety pin, scissors, a needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Cut a strip 4 inches wide and 20 inches long. 2. Sew it into a tube and turn it right side out. 3. Thread elastic through with a safety pin and knot it. 4. Stitch the tube ends closed.

Handy Pot Holders

Two or three layers of old towel make sturdy pot holders for the kitchen. Cut squares, stack them, cover them with a pretty cotton fabric and stitch around the edge with a hanging loop. Little heart patches or a cross stitch make them extra cute. Use thick layers so they protect your hands well, and keep them away from open flames. Who in your family would love a handmade set?

You will need: Old towels, cotton fabric for the outside, bias tape, pins, scissors and a sewing machine.

How to make it: 1. Cut three towel squares about 8 inches wide. 2. Sandwich them between two cotton squares. 3. Quilt a few lines through all layers. 4. Bind the edges with bias tape and add a loop.

Plant Pot Sleeves

Plain plastic nursery pots look so much nicer in a soft towel sleeve. Wrap a strip of towel around the pot, tie it with jute twine and you are done. Sage, cream and dusty rose look lovely on a windowsill, and the sleeves can be washed anytime. It is a cozy way to dress up houseplants without buying new planters. Which plant in your home needs a new outfit?

You will need: Towel strips, jute twine, scissors and plastic plant pots.

How to make it: 1. Cut a towel strip as tall as the pot and long enough to wrap around. 2. Wrap it around the pot. 3. Tie it in place with jute twine. 4. Tuck the top edge in neatly.

Dish Drying Mat

An old towel folded in layers makes a thirsty dish drying mat for the counter. Fold it to the size you want, edge it with bias tape and stitch a few straight lines across to hold the layers together. Lay it beside the sink when you wash by hand, then hang it to dry. Make two so one is always clean. Would a striped or plain mat match your kitchen better?

You will need: 1 old towel, bias tape, pins, scissors and a sewing machine.

How to make it: 1. Fold the towel into a rectangle about 16 by 20 inches. 2. Pin bias tape around the edges. 3. Sew the tape in place. 4. Stitch three straight lines across the mat.

Soft Bath Pillow

A rolled towel bath pillow makes a long soak feel like a spa night at home. Sew a small towel into a pillow shape, stuff it with towel scraps and add two suction cups so it stays on the tub. If you love this kind of easy sewing, you will enjoy our old jeans upcycles too. Isn’t it nice to make something just for you?

You will need: 1 hand towel, towel scraps for stuffing, 2 small suction cups with hooks, a needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Fold the hand towel in half and sew two sides. 2. Stuff it with towel scraps. 3. Sew the last side closed. 4. Stitch the suction cups to the back.

Sort Your Stash for More Old Towel Upcycles

Before you cut, sort your towels by color, thickness and condition. Thick towels are best for mitts and pot holders, thin ones for cleaning cloths and scrunchies, and bright ones for bags and braids. People everywhere are sharing their own ideas, including a popular video on clever ways to use old bathroom towels. Keep a labeled bin so you always have scraps ready for the next round of old towel upcycles. Which project will you try first?

You will need: A large bin or basket, labels, a marker and your old towels.

How to make it: 1. Wash all the towels. 2. Sort them into thick, thin and bright piles. 3. Label a bin for each pile. 4. Pick a project from this list and start cutting.