12 Ways To Reuse Old Pillows

If your pillows are looking a bit flat and tired, don’t retire them just yet!

Firstly, try refreshing them in the washing machine

It’s recommended to wash pillows every 6 months. You can wash them using your usual laundry detergent and either air dry them or pop them in the tumble drier for extra fluffiness.

For feather pillows, follow this advice.

To clean and refresh memory foam pillows, follow this advice.

If they are still looking limp or lumpy, here are some ideas to keep them in use:

1. Turn them in floor cushions

If you’re feeling crafty, you can use several pillows to create a floor cushion for children to sit on. This method uses a fleece blanket but you can sew several pillow cases together for the same effect.

2. Stuff another pillow

Take the stuffing out and use it to plump up any other flat pillows or cushions.

3. Double up

If you have 2 thin pillows, put one on top of the other and slide into a pillow case. It should give you a few more months of use.

4. Use as pet bedding

Use old pillows to create a cosy, easy to wash bed for cats and small dogs. This method uses minimal sewing and makes use of an old jumper too.

5. Make rags

When you’ve re-used the stuffing and you’re left with the outer casing, cut it into squares and use as cleaning or DIY rags.

6. Use to plump up a stuffed toy

If stuffed toys are looking a bit flat, use pillow stuffing to give them some extra volume This video shows you how.

7. Draft excluder

Feeling the chill? Use an old pair of jogging bottoms, leggings, jeans or tights and pillow stuffing to make a simple but effective draft excluder.

8. Package protection

If you’ve moving house or need to post something fragile, use pillow stuffing to protect items in transit.

9. Knee pads

Keep old pillows to hand for when you’re gardening, doing DIY or putting flat pack furniture together. They’re handy for using as protective knee pads (and you can throw them when the furniture instructions don’t make sense!)

10. Make a cushion

There are lots of different ways to make cushions from old pillows. You can cut pillows in half, fold them over to create more volume, or use the stuffing to fill a cushion case. You don’t even need to sew to make these cushions.

11. Compost the feathers

If you have a compost bin in your garden, you can compost the feathers from your feather pillow. Don’t have a compost bin? You can buy one here and find out more about composting at home.

12. Donate

If reusing at home isn’t an option, you may be able to donate pillows to local homeless shelters or pet rescue charities. Not all accept them so it’s important to contact them beforehand to check.

For more reuse ideas visit the Recycle Devon reuse and upcycling pages.