As you’re organizing your home and sorting out unused items for the New Year, it might be worth saving some old items to actually tackle household chores or reusing them for everyday storage. Could.
One such thing? Old pillows. Using old pillows is not only cost-effective, but you’ll be surprised to see how useful they are for cleaning or DIY projects.
Below, we’ve used a pro cleaner to share all the best ways to reuse old pillowcases.
clean dirty air vents
if you You haven’t cleaned your air vents After a while, it might be time to wipe down those tight, dusty spaces before celebrating the New Year, according to Rhonda Wilson, quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning.
She recommends wrapping a pillowcase around a butter knife and lightly spraying it with your favorite cleaner to get into those tough, tight spots.
“Suddenly you’ve got the right tool to get into those corners and crevices,” says Wilson.
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Upcycle them as dust bags
If you have a collection of precious bags or everyday tote bags, consider storing them in an old pillowcase so they stay in good shape over time and don’t collect dust, says Wilson.
Wilson recommends tucking your bag inside a pillowcase to keep any debris from getting inside.
dry your hair
If you’ve ever heard of the easy trick of drying your hair with a cotton T-shirt to prevent frizz and breakage, you may want to try it with an old pillowcase, too, says Wilson.
“Cotton is smooth, won’t rough up your hair’s cuticles and helps keep curls or waves intact,” says Wilson.
DIY dog bed cover
If you have a dog that loves to lounge around, consider reusing old pillows to make a cozy bed for them.
Wilson explains how you can stuff pillow covers with soft materials you already have at home, like towels, an old pillow or even an extra blanket. Then, when everything is packed, close or sew it shut.
You’ll have the most comfortable place for them to rest during the day — and you won’t need to spend a ton on a brand new dog bed, says Wilson.
Filter Paint Strainers
Over time, dried bits of old paint may float around in it. Solution? Use old pillowcases to strain paint, so you can finish those painting and DIY projects in the new year.
Simply cover the open part of the paint can and secure it with a rubber band, says Wilson. The pillowcase will act like a fine mesh strainer as you pour the paint.
