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A Good Housekeeping report describes seven ways to give old dish towels another use, including protecting stored dishes, making cleaning cloths and wrapping gifts. It also recommends checking local textile-recycling options or asking animal shelters whether they accept larger towels; availability varies by location.
Good Housekeeping has outlined seven ways to reuse old dish towels, including turning them into cleaning rags, using them to cushion stored dishes and wrapping gifts in fabric. The suggestions offer household uses for towels at different stages of wear, while the report says local textile-recycling programs and animal shelters may provide options for items that are no longer useful at home.
For towels that remain intact, the report suggests placing them between stacked dishes and platters to cushion delicate pieces during storage or moving. It also recommends stuffing two or three towels into an empty purse to support its corners and help it keep its shape. These uses require no sewing, cutting or special materials.
More worn towels can be cut into hand-sized cleaning cloths for spills, dusting, bathrooms or garage cleanup. Lizzie Horvitz, founder of sustainability company Finch, told Good Housekeeping that cloths can replace some paper towels and suggested using pinking shears to reduce fraying. The report also describes sewing fabric scraps into a patchwork potholder, with heat-resistant batting layered between fabric pieces.
Other options include braiding strips of thicker cotton towel into a dog tug toy, using a towel in better condition as reusable gift wrap, and seeking textile recycling or shelter donations. For the toy, Horvitz advised cutting two or three towels into strips about two inches wide, knotting and braiding them, then securing the other end. She said the toy can be washed. The report recommends the Japanese furoshiki method for gift wrapping: place the gift in the center, tie opposite corners over it and tuck in the ends.
Practical Uses Before Disposal
The suggestions give households ways to extend a towel’s useful life before disposal, with options ranging from simple storage padding to sewing and braiding projects. Reuse may reduce reliance on disposable paper towels for some cleaning tasks, Horvitz said, although the report does not quantify any savings or environmental impact.
The list also distinguishes between items that can still serve at home and those that may need another destination. A towel suitable for gift wrap or a potholder should be in better condition than one assigned to dirty cleanup. For towels that are torn or heavily worn, the report points readers toward local textile collection programs and animal shelters, while acknowledging that acceptance depends on the organization or municipality.
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From Kitchen Cloth to Reuse
The source is a Good Housekeeping lifestyle report about household reuse, rather than a new rule, product launch or policy announcement. It presents recommendations from Horvitz on cleaning, textile reuse and gift wrapping, and from Carly Olds, an education specialist at Singer, on making a potholder.
Olds advised cutting patchwork fabric into uniform squares, using an existing potholder as a size guide, and placing heat-resistant batting between two fabric layers before stitching around the edge. The report offers this as a craft idea; it does not provide tested heat-protection ratings or detailed construction specifications.
“Be sure to cut the patchwork fabric into uniform squares. I recommend using an existing potholder as a guide.”
— Carly Olds, education specialist at Singer, as quoted by Good Housekeeping
Local Recycling Rules Vary
The report does not identify specific cities, retailers or recycling programs, so readers will need to check local textile-collection rules before bringing in towels. It also does not confirm that every shelter accepts used towels; donations should be arranged with the organization first.
The suggestions are not accompanied by comparative testing or measurements. The report does not quantify how much paper towel use might be avoided, how long a braided toy may last, or what materials and stitching would make a homemade potholder suitable for particular levels of heat. The best use for any towel depends on its condition and intended task.
Choose a Use by Condition
Readers can sort towels by condition: keep sound ones for cushioning dishes or purses, cut usable fabric into cleaning cloths, and reserve cleaner, presentable towels for gift wrapping or sewing. For a potholder, follow the report’s guidance on heat-resistant batting and layered fabric, while recognizing that it does not certify the finished item’s performance.
When towels are too worn for another household use, check municipal or retailer textile-recycling guidance and contact nearby shelters about donation needs. Those steps are the practical next moves; the report does not announce a new program or a follow-up milestone.
Key Questions
What are some ways to reuse old dish towels?
Good Housekeeping lists seven: cushion stored dishes, cut towels into cleaning rags, sew a patchwork potholder, braid a dog toy, stuff a purse to help it hold its shape, wrap a gift, or look into recycling and donation.
Can old dish towels replace paper towels?
Horvitz told Good Housekeeping that cut-up towels can replace some paper towels during cleaning. The report does not give a measured estimate, so the amount will depend on how a household uses them.
Can stained or torn towels be recycled?
The report says some cities and retailers accept worn textiles, including stained or torn items. Acceptance varies, so check the rules of the specific collection program before dropping towels off.
Will animal shelters accept old towels?
The report says larger towels can be donated to animal shelters, but it does not name participating shelters or confirm that all accept used textiles. Contact a shelter before donating.
What should I know before making a potholder?
The report recommends using uniform fabric squares, an existing potholder as a guide, and heat-resistant batting layered between two fabric pieces. It does not provide a heat rating or certify homemade potholders, so construction and materials matter.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
