Don t Toss That Towel! 6 Clever Ways to Reuse Old Beach Towels at Home

Have you ever thought, “This is junk now?” when you took an old beach towel out of storage? That’s what I used to think. However, I then began to pose a more insightful question: what else is this capable of?

As it happens, a soiled towel is more than simply garbage. It can be used as a garden mat, a cleaning tool, a pet bed, or even a do-it-yourself hair wrap.

Based on ideas that people are actually implementing at home, I’ll show you six doable, straightforward methods to repurpose used beach towels in this post. We’ll cut through the Pinterest-perfect jargon and go down to practical, clever solutions you can implement right now.

What’s the best part? You’ll feel shockingly smart while reducing waste and saving money.

Why You Shouldn t Toss Your Old Beach Towels Just Yet

I used to discard used beach towels without hesitation. Frayed, discolored, and faded, they were thrown in the trash. The problem is, though: those old towels? If you know how to repurpose them, they are pure gold.

Although saving a few dollars is a good bonus, that is not all we are talking about. It’s about minimizing waste, clearing clutter, and coming up with innovative, truly practical methods to breathe new life into old items, particularly in a society where fast fashion and disposable culture are pervasive.

Millions of pounds of linens and towels are dumped in landfills annually in the United States alone, according to SMART. Additionally, the majority of them were still usable for years to come—just not as towels.

After realizing that, I began to consider any old towel as a possible garden pad, pet bed, cleaning cloth, or even a hair wrap. All of a sudden, I wasn’t only clearing out; I was also finding solutions to issues without purchasing further items.

You can, too.

It’s your chance now. Before we start the towel hacks, tell us about the last item you threw away that could have been used again. Tell me in the comments below. You could encourage someone else to reconsider throwing!

1. Cut Them Into Reusable Cleaning Cloths

Making a pile of cleaning rags out of an old beach towel is the simplest way to get started.

Sewing is not necessary. Simply cut the towel into six or eight equal-sized squares using a pair of sharp scissors. Use pinking shears or a zigzag stitch to keep them from fraying if you want them to endure longer.One Reddit user even detailed how they cleverly and simply sewed the edges of nine washcloths they manufactured from a single towel to make them sturdy.

I use mine to scrub the car, dust shelves, and wipe off kitchen counters. I throw them in the laundry when they get too filthy because they are thicker and more absorbent than paper towels. Additionally, if you want low-effort cleaning, combine these rags with clever cleaning tools to make the task even simpler. You’ll save time and mess with this combo. No waste. Not guilty.

Why this works: You’re cutting waste, saving money on paper towels, and giving your towel a second chance at doing the filthy job for which it was designed.

Expert advice: Store a little basket of these rags beneath your sink or in the laundry area. More often than you might imagine, you will grab them.

2. Turn Them Into Garden Kneeling Pads or Furniture Movers

This is for you if you’ve ever stood up with sore knees after spending ten minutes pulling weeds from your garden.

Unexpectedly, old beach towels, particularly the thicker ones, make excellent do-it-yourself kneeling mats. Simply fold one into a square and tuck it inside an old pillowcase or sew the layers together. When I needed something quick and washable, I’ve even coiled one into a tube and duct-taped the ends.

They can also be utilized as cushions when relocating furniture. Plant pots, hefty table legs, and chairs will glide across floors without harming anything if you slide a folded towel below them. Make sure you’re not making these backyard mistakes that could be increasing your energy bills, even though you’re already using towels to cover your knees in the garden. Some of these mistakes are surprisingly simple to fix.

In their guide to towel repurposing, Southern Livings proposes both of these uses, and to be honest, it’s one of those “why didn’t I think of this sooner” types of tips.

Why this works: You can protect your back, knees, and floors without purchasing additional equipment or storage-bin clutter. It’s a clever re-use that truly fixes irksome daily issues.

Expert advice: Store one folded towel in your vehicle’s trunk. It can be used as an emergency wipe-down cloth, pet seat cover, or kneeling pad.

3. Make Your Own Cleaning Pads or Mop Refills

This tip will save you money and cut down on waste if you frequently purchase Swiffer pads or throw away used sponges.

To make your mop head fit, cut an old beach towel into rectangles. Rubber bands, Velcro, or even simple loops sewn on if you’re handy can be used to secure them. They are excellent for collecting dust, crumbs, and pet hair, and I use mine for both wet and dry mopping.

Additionally, you can use leftover towels to make dishrags or substitutes for kitchen sponges. They last far longer than store-bought cloths and are machine-washable and absorbent.

Why this works: You’re minimizing your use of paper and plastic, creating something valuable for free, and repurposing old towels into tools you’ll use on a weekly basis.

Pro tip: For thicker mops or wet spills, stitch together two layers of towels; this will absorb far more than a typical microfiber pad.

4. Upcycle Into Pet Bed Liners or DIY Toys

Old towels are invaluable if you have a dog, cat, or even a filthy guinea pig.

Old beach towels are soft, washable, and I don’t mind if they get soiled, so I’ve cut them into liners for pet crates and travel carriers. I tucked two towels inside an old pillowcase, sewed the edges, and piled them for my dog’s bed. instant support. No foam, no plastic, no waste.

Even DIY tug toys can be made by braiding towel fabric strips. Simply cut lengthy strips, knot one end, braid securely, and tie another knot to complete. Completed. If my dog destroys one, I simply create another since she adores them.

People discussing these pet hacks are abundant in the r/ZeroWaste forum on Reddit. Compared to store-bought products with plastic fillers, they are more environmentally friendly, low-effort, and practical.

Why this works:You re reusing towels in a way that brings comfort to your pet while keeping unnecessary toys and synthetic bedding out of the trash.

Expert advice: The majority of animal shelters welcome contributions of used, clean towels. If you re not using them at home, pass them forward they re always in need.

5. Use as Hair Wraps or Heatless Curlers

Are you familiar with the microfiber hair towels that cost more than $10? The same thing may be done with used beach towels.

Cut a towel into a triangle or rectangle that wraps easily around your head. Thinner towels work best they re absorbent but not heavy. I use mine every time I wash my hair. It soaks up water faster, keeps drips off my shirt, and dries out just as fast as any spa-grade towel.

Want to level up? Cut strips of towel and use them asheatless curlers. Wrap damp hair sections around each strip, tie them at the end, and sleep on it. Next morning? Soft, bouncy curls no heat damage, no curling iron.

The Sprucementions this towel-hack too, especially for post-shower routines.

Why this works:You re reusing what you already have to care for your hair naturally and avoiding heat damage or spending on one-time-use products.

Pro tip: If the towel edges feel scratchy, hem them or use bias tape. Or just trim to shape and let them fray naturally no rules here.

6. Turn It Into a Draft Stopper or Scratch Guard

Got a chilly draft under your door or scuff marks on your floor from furniture? Your old beach towel can fix both.

For adraft stopper, just roll the towel lengthwise, stuff it with fabric scraps or even old socks to add weight, and sew or tape the ends shut. Lay it against any door where cold air sneaks in. It works shockingly well and it costs you nothing. And if sealing drafts got you thinking about efficiency, check out thesesmart energy upgrades that boost home resale value. Small changes like that draft stopper can lead to bigger savings.

Need to move heavy chairs, stools, or planters without scratching your floor? Cut towel pieces into small squares and stick them under the legs. Done. You ve made your own felt pads only softer, thicker, and reusable.

Why this works:You re fixing little annoyances at home (cold drafts, scratched floors) without spending a rupee and your towel gets a second life as a home upgrade tool.

Pro tip: If your towel is bright or patterned, it even adds a bit of color under the door way better than ugly plastic stoppers.

So, What s Hiding in Your Linen Closet?

If you re like most people, there s at least one old beach towel sitting somewhere too worn to use, but too okay to toss.

Now you ve got six smart, actually useful ways to upcycle it. Whether you re wiping counters, padding a pet bed, or sealing out a winter draft, that towel s still working just in a different way.

For me, the real shift came when I stopped thinking of old stuff as waste and started seeing it as raw material. These small swaps might not feel like a revolution but they add up. Less spending. Less trash. More intention.

Your turn:What s the weirdest thing you ve ever reused a towel for? Or which of these hacks are you trying first?Drop a comment below I d love to hear your take. You might just inspire someone else to reuse what they ve got, too.

Liked these ideas?VisitBuild Like Newfor more smart, practical tips to reuse, upcycle, and refresh your home without wasting a thing.

Disclaimer:This article is for informational purposes only. Always use clean, dry towels for any reuse projects, and consult professionals for safety-related applications (e.g., electrical insulation, pet bedding for sensitive animals).

Table of Contents

• Don t Toss That Towel! 6 Clever Ways to Reuse Old Beach Towels at Home

  • Why You Shouldn t Toss Your Old Beach Towels Just Yet

  • 1. Cut Them Into Reusable Cleaning Cloths

  • 2. Turn Them Into Garden Kneeling Pads or Furniture Movers

  • 3. Make Your Own Cleaning Pads or Mop Refills

  • 4. Upcycle Into Pet Bed Liners or DIY Toys

  • 5. Use as Hair Wraps or Heatless Curlers

  • 6. Turn It Into a Draft Stopper or Scratch Guard

  • So, What s Hiding in Your Linen Closet?

• Why You Shouldn t Toss Your Old Beach Towels Just Yet

• 1. Cut Them Into Reusable Cleaning Cloths

• 2. Turn Them Into Garden Kneeling Pads or Furniture Movers

• 3. Make Your Own Cleaning Pads or Mop Refills

• 4. Upcycle Into Pet Bed Liners or DIY Toys

• 5. Use as Hair Wraps or Heatless Curlers

• 6. Turn It Into a Draft Stopper or Scratch Guard

• So, What s Hiding in Your Linen Closet?