What To Do With Old Sheets

Every sheet eventually reaches the end of its useful life. The elastic gives out, the edges are fraying, a hole appears that seemed to materialise overnight (it didn't - read about that here), or they've just been washed enough times that they've gone thin and soft in a way that crossed the line from comfortable to worn. At that point you have a few options to consider before you resort to the bin.

But first - a brief word on extending that lifespan.

Before they're done: rotation

The single most effective thing you can do to extend the life of your sheets is own two sets and rotate them. One set washed and dried every week means 52 wash cycles a year on the same fabric. Two sets alternated means 26 each - roughly half the wear. Giving them a break between uses makes a real difference to how long they last. 

When they're genuinely done

Repurpose them

Cotton sheets are useful long after they stop being comfortable to sleep on.

• Drop cloth. A fitted sheet over a floor or piece of furniture while painting or renovating is ideal - fitted corners stay in place, the fabric is absorbent, and it's exactly the right weight.
• Cleaning rags. Cut them up. Old cotton makes excellent cleaning cloths - absorbent, washable, and free. Better than buying a pack of disposable wipes.
• Dust covers. Drape flat sheets over stored furniture, seasonal items, or anything sitting in a garage or storage space. Breathable fabric is better for long-term storage than plastic.
• Pillowcases as bags. A worn pillowcase becomes a laundry bag for delicates, a produce bag, or a storage pouch for anything that needs to breathe. 
• Pet bedding. Old sheets make perfectly serviceable bedding for dogs and cats - soft, washable, easily replaced when they've been through enough.

Donate

Charity shops like Vinnies and the Salvos will sometimes take worn textiles for recycling even when items are too worn to sell, but it varies by location and they don't always advertise it clearly. Call ahead before dropping anything off. Don't leave worn sheets in a donation bin without checking - many bins are for resaleable items only, and what can't be sold often goes straight to landfill anyway.

Animal shelters are often a better destination for worn sheets. They need bedding constantly, wash it frequently, and genuinely don't care if it's seen better days. Most shelters will take sheets in any condition. Call ahead to confirm, but it's rarely refused.

Textile recycling

This is the better end-of-life option for sheets that are genuinely beyond any further use. Upparel and Textile Recyclers Australia both accept worn cotton textiles and process them rather than landfilling them. Cotton is biodegradable, but in landfill conditions degradation is slow and methane is produced in the process - textile recycling is a better option.

And if none of that appeals?

It is, after all, almost Halloween. A white sheet, two eye holes, and a dark street will sort you out. It's not the most dignified end for a good set of sheets, but as last resorts go, it has a certain charm.

Shop our Heavyweight Percale Bedding - for when the current set finally gives up the ghost.