As much as I’d like to think that I agree with a minimalistic approach to life, my closets betray me.
Since I spent most of my life not living as a minimalist – or even thinking about being a good steward of my finances or belongings, for that matter – I have a lot of stuff. And I’ve saved a lot of good, usable stuff. For some reason, I have a hard time parting with things that I know I could – and probably will – use.
Like bath towels. Have you noticed that bath towels don’t wear out very quickly? Used everyday for four years, the pastel striped bath towels I received as a college freshman – two decades ago! – still look and feel pretty good. So do the navy and scarlet bath towels my husband and I received as wedding gifts more than a decade ago.
Towels are handy – but after quite a few moves and different bathroom color schemes, my old bath towels just don’t match. My family had changed over to white towels about five years ago – and that means we have a LOT of bath towels. I’m not willing to cram all of them into our linen closet, though, and our family of four can only use so many bath towels in a week. Especially when we use them several times before washing them.
So exactly how do I reuse our extra older towels?
- I roll bath towels tightly like bolsters and use them to block drafty doorways and window sills.
- I donated our navy and scarlet towel sets to someone in need. (If you don’t personally know someone who could use your towels, donate them to a homeless shelter.)
- I use light colored bath towels under my children’s sheets. The towels act as a soft and absorbent layer between the sheet and mattress cover.
- For years I’ve used old bath towels when washing and drying cars – and dogs.
- Speaking of pets, you can use old towels as comfy liners in pet beds. (If you’re in the mood to donate towels, give your old towels to a humane shelter.)
- Old towels can be used to mop up drips and wet footprints on hard surface floors.
- Bath towels – and beach towels – can be used to protect car upholstery. Placing infant car seats and toddler seats between the upholstery and the car seat will protect against spilled sippy cups and crumbly snacks. (Not like I’ve learned this from experience …) The towels will also protect against wet swimming suits in the summer.
- Washcloths can be used to wipe of babies’ faces – you don’t need special baby wash cloths. Dark washcloths are especially excellent at cleaning up messy faces once your baby starts eating – and the dark colors hide stubborn food stains.
- Old hand towels can be passed along to fishermen – they’re helpful when cleaning fish.
There also are plenty of crafty ideas on Pinterest, but many of them involve sewing. Since I’m neither crafty or a seamstress, easy and practical ideas are best for me.
Talk back
How do you reuse your old towels?
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