Looking for smart, budget-friendly ways to reuse what you already have? These 10 clever ways to repurpose towels will help you cut down on waste and save money at home. From DIY baby wipes to homemade rugs and more, this guide gives old towels a whole new purpose.
I have a soft spot for towels. I know, it’s a little strange, but give me a giant, warm, fluffy bath towel straight out of the dryer, and I’m a happy woman. There’s just something comforting about climbing out of the shower and wrapping up in a big, soft, oversized bath sheet. I tend to grab new ones whenever I find a good deal and I may or may not have a large stash of towels; both new and old.
But even the fluffiest towel has a lifespan. Eventually, they get thin, ratty, or full of holes. And when that happens, instead of tossing them, I repurpose towels whenever I can. It’s one of the little habits that’s helped stretch our budget and move us closer to our zero-waste goals.
Finding new uses for old towels is one of those things that might seem small, but when you start applying that mindset across the board, it adds up. Less waste, less spending, and more use out of the things you’ve already paid for.
Why I Choose to Repurpose Instead of Toss
Around here, we try to give almost everything a second life before we let it go for good. It might annoy the kids sometimes, but the amount of money it saves is more than worth the effort.
We reuse all kinds of things—old sheets, milk jugs, coffee mugs, coffee filters, bottles, wrapping paper, orange peels, newspaper, and even cat litter (clean, of course). I’ve even got a list of 52 items to reuse that I try to follow as much as possible. Some of what doesn’t get reused gets composted, and some things get reused and then composted.
We don’t repurpose things because we’re trying to save the planet single-handedly. I believe we should all do our part, so yes, while upcycling towels is eco-friendly, the real reason I reuse everything I can is simple: money.
My income isn’t always predictable. One month might be comfortable. The next might be a scramble. That alone is enough motivation to use every single trick I know to keep our spending low. Repurposing helps do that, and it keeps us a little more self-reliant while we’re at it.
Can I Donate Old Towels to Goodwill?
If you don’t want to upcycle towels that you can no longer use, yes, you can donate old towels. For thrift stores, you will want to make sure they aren’t holey, but otherwise, they can be donated like normal.
In my opinion though, it’s better to donate old towels to your local animal shelter or rescue. Animal shelters use towel donations daily as makeshift pet beds in crates or cleaning rags for surrendered or abandoned pets and they can be hard for them to get their hands on.
What Can I Do With Old Towels?
So, what can you actually do with old towels that no longer serve their original purpose? A lot, honestly. If you’re willing to get creative and do a little work, you’ll be amazed at how far even one towel can go; especially when you’re making a few diy projects that are both creative and frugal.
Here are ten ways I like to repurpose towels—each one easy, practical, and designed to help save money in your everyday life.
1. Make Homemade Baby Wipes
Disposable baby wipes are expensive and if you have a baby in the house, you know how fast you can go through a package of them. Instead of wasting money on disposable wipes, repurpose old towels into homemade baby wipes. Simply cut your old towels into small squares and soak them in baby wash or some Dr Bronner’s liquid soap. Toss them in a container and you’re good to go. They’re soft, washable, and just as effective.
If you don’t have a baby, they work very well as adult washcloths too. Just cut your old bath towels to the same size as baby wipes and leave the soap out.
2. Turn Them Into Cleaning Cloths
There’s no need to waste good towels or spend money on paper towels when you can make your own cleaning cloths. I cut ratty towels into squares and keep a stack under the sink. They’re perfect for scrubbing floors, wiping up messes, or using with homemade all-purpose cleaner. I’ve also used them for reusable Swiffer mopping pads for my mop and DIY fabric softener sheets.
They also work really well as dust cloths and for washing dishes since towels are so absorbent.
They’re super simple to make too. I have a DIY homemade cleaning wipes tutorial HERE if you need some help with the cleaning solution to use on them.
3. Make Craft Aprons for Kids
Craft time is messy and kids craft aprons aren’t cheap. Instead of buying something new, repurpose an old towel into a simple smock. Just cut a hole for your child’s head and let them wear it like a poncho. It’ll protect their clothes during painting, crafts, or baking, and it washes up easily.
4. Let the Kids Make a Masterpiece
Need a free family activity? Grab some old towels, some kid friendly paints like THIS DIY fingerpaint or another non-toxic kids paint and some kids art supplies and head outside. Splash, flick, or brush the paint however they want and turn those old towels into giant works of art. Once they dry, save one or two as a keepsake. It’s fun, frugal, and doesn’t require any fancy supplies. They also make a great gift idea for grandparents and other family members who love your child’s art.
5. Sew a Quilted Towel Blanket
If you’re itching to sew but aren’t ready to jump into traditional quilting, start with towels. Cut them into 12″ squares and sew them together for a homemade quilt or throw blanket. Add quilt batting and a fabric backing if you’d like. It’s a great way to learn some basic sewing skills and end up with something useful at the same time.
These blankets are also great for tossing into your beach bag when you’re on vacation. They help provide comfort from the home ground, block sand and dirt without being something you’re worried about ruining. When you are done at the beach, shake it out and toss it in the washer.
6. Keep a Stash in Your Car
This isn’t the most exciting use, but it’s one of the most practical. Keep a few old towels in the trunk for wiping your hands after checking oil, cleaning up spills, drying off wet items, or sitting on after a muddy hike. They’re also handy in winter for de-fogging windows or drying off your windshield.
For an even better emergency setup, tuck in a jug of water and a container of homemade degreaser or cleaner too. An old kitchen towel or two work especially great for this.
7. Make a No-Feather Duster
If you’re tired of buying dusters that don’t last or disposable Swiffer dusters, repurpose towels instead. Cut them into smaller squares and use with a little DIY furniture polish.
To clean hard-to-reach places, wrap the towel around a broom and secure it with a binder clip. Quick, simple and very budget friendly.
8. Weave a Rag Rug
This one takes a bit more time but the end result is worth it. You’ll need a latch rug canvas and strips of towel about 6″ long and ¾” wide.
Loop each strip through the mat and tie it off.
Keep going until the whole mat is filled. These make great bath mats or gifts and are way more durable than a cheap store-bought rug.
9. Make a Picnic Blanket
Outdoor activities can be tough on regular blankets, but old towels are perfect for the job. Sew several together (three by three makes a nice large square) to make a sturdy, washable picnic blanket. It’s especially nice if you have dogs or kids that like to get messy.
I personally like this option quite a bit because towels are heavier than most picnic blankets you can buy at the store. Whenever we’ve used them, they handle wind better so I’m not as worried about them blowing away.
10. Sew Baby Bibs
Baby bibs are one of those things that seem to cost more than they should—especially considering their main job is to catch food.
Repurpose towels by cutting them into quarters and cutting a small head hole into each piece. Slide it over your baby’s head at mealtime and wash as needed. No snaps, Velcro, or fuss—just a functional bib that cost nothing to make.
They aren’t cute like the ones you buy, but they do work every bit as well at protecting baby’s clothes.
Saving money often comes down to changing how we look at the things around us. Repurposing old towels might not feel like a game-changer, but it’s one more way to make what you have work a little harder.
Even if you only get one extra use out of something, that’s one less item you had to buy. And when you apply that idea throughout your home, the savings really start to show up.
So the next time you pull a frayed towel out of the laundry and think it’s time to toss it, stop for a second. You might just have everything you need to turn it into something useful—and save a little more in the process.
Do you have any other ways to upcycle towels? I’d love for you to share them in a comment if you do!
