You must have heard or read on the Internet that pillows should be replaced every 2 years. However, if your pillow is well-maintained and still has the structural integrity and strength to put you into a good night’s sleep, then there is no need for replacement.
However, at some point, you will have to replace the pillows. These pillows will probably be hiding in your store room, off in a corner, bursting at the seams, or long forgotten.
What if you can reuse them to improve the aesthetics of your interior? Recycling or repurposing them creatively is a better option than tossing them in the trash.
Not only is reusing old pillows an economical choice, but it is also good for the environment. There’s a lot of life left in your loyal old pillows. Let’s talk about new, creative strategies to repurpose them.
How To Decide Whether It Is Time To Buy New Pillows?
This depends upon the pillow. The main reason for using pillows is not just for a comfortable and sound sleep, but to keep your head and neck in neutral alignment with the spine. Now, since your pillow is in regular use, it will ultimately wear out with time.
Here are the signs that indicate you need to buy new pillows:
- You are experiencing neck pain as soon as you wake up
- Your pillow lies flat
- The pillow looks too compressed
- The pillows look or feel lumpy (in case of down, down-alternative, or shredded-foam pillows)
If you are experiencing any of the signs, then you should consider buying new pillows. At Thread to Form, you can find a range of pillow inserts at cost-effective prices. From 50% feather and 50% down to water-resistant pillows (for outdoor purposes), each type of pillow insert is available in different sizes. You can revamp your bedroom or sofa look by purchasing new pillow covers as well.
Now, the question is what to do with old pillows?
Crafty Pillow Glow-Ups You Must Try
We all have one drawer or storage box filled to the brim with scraps too “possibly useful” to discard. Sound familiar? The upcycling of your pillows can take you to a whole new world. Pinterest is a fantastic place to find inspiration for fabulous and fun DIY projects you can make with your old pillows. But if you want to avoid the hassle of scrolling through, we’ve got it all compiled for you!
1. Restuff and reuse
You can prolong their life and avoid buying new pillows by restuffing them to their previous splendor. Visit your nearest craft and fabric stores to pick up pillow stuffing materials, such as polyester fiberfill, shredded foam, or natural fillings, which make the process relatively simple.
With just a bit of stitching and fluffing, your old pillow can regain its shape, comfort, and support, saving you money while reducing textile waste. If you have two pillows, then you can choose a pillow cover combo that suits your style:
- Viviene block print cover + Chadwick pillow cover (the classic block print + solid color combination)
- Hayley block print cover + Kendall block print cover (The timeless floral block print + tonal contrast combination)
2. Make your favourite chair more comfortable
We all have that one chair that fits, like it was made for us. But if you need a new chair to add some flair to your living space and life to this beloved piece, you can tweak it on a budget with an old pillow.
You will need a pillow that may be well-worn but has a durable and attractive casing for this hack. Just sew it to the chair and fill it in with pillow stuffing material to make it comfy, and voila! You now have a supportive backrest that gives your favorite chair a second wind.
You can use a new cover to give it a brand new look. Gabby block print cover and Hayley block print cover will complete the transformation with a refined touch. You can even add Carla Plaid Checkered Throw Blanket to layer in extra warmth and texture, creating a cozy, coordinated corner that feels both stylish and inviting.
3. Turn them into floor pillows
Have you ever wished you had extra floor seating for visitors or more cushions for your living room? Turn your old pillows into chic floor pillows or cushions with a little sewing magic and some fabric covering. To create a aesthetic corner, here are some color combos that you can go for:
- For Vintage Vibe: Go for muted, timeworn tones feel nostalgic and romantic, like dusty rose, olive green, faded mustard, and soft taupe.
- For Retro Pop: Consider bold, saturated hues with high contrast bring energy and a playful 70s flair, like Burnt orange, teal blue, mustard yellow, and chocolate brown.
- For Minimalist Calm: Go for breezy, fresh, and soft colors, like Ocean blue, sandy beige, driftwood grey, and seafoam green
- For Boho Electic: Choose something between rich, global-inspired tone colors, like maroon, deep indigo, mustard, and sage green
Drape a hand-block printed table runner, like the Kendra style, across your low floor table table to introduce texture and warmth. Pair it with a round ceramic vase filled with flowers to create a thoughtfully styled moment that feels both inviting and expressive.
4. Perfect beds for your fluffy friends
If you’re a pet parent, this one’s a total tail-wagger, your furry friend will adore you for it. Transform your old cushions or pillows into comfortable pet beds. You can sew different cushions together to create one large base, add extra pillow stuffing to make it fluffier, and then sew on a fabric cover
These cushions give your pet a soft place to curl up and enjoy their cozy nook, whether you own a dog, cat, or rabbit. Just add a layer of soft material, like Indigo Fishy blanket, and your pet can sleep in their new bed comfortably.
5. Use it as your travel pillow
For this, you will need your sewing skills and machine because you will have transform your pillow into a size that can easily fit into your travelling bag. Start by cutting your old pillow base fabric down to a smaller, compact size that fits easily into your travel bag or backpack.
Sew it into a rectangle shape pillow. Add or remove filling as needed to get the right level of firmness and support for your neck, and then sew it back together.
Finish it with a soft, washable fabric cover, like Lucas Striped pillow cover, and voilà, you’ve got yourself a custom, eco-friendly travel pillow!
Why Dump Them When You Can Upcycle?
Even if you’re not into crafts, repurposing an old pillow is a great initiative to get the nostalgic value and play your role in saving your environment. Here’s how it works:
1. Cut down on waste production
When you throw your pillows into the trash, they will probably end up in the landfill. They will take a long time to decompose, especially the synthetic ones. Besides, pillows contribute to the broader textile waste problem. In the United States alone, every year, an estimated 11 million tons of textile waste is generated, and 85% of textiles are discarded.
2. Promote innovation and creativity
You can think of stuffing your old pillow inside a hand-sewn cover sewn from vintage fabric, or you can reuse the fill to make a plush toy for your kid. It’s personal, practical, and also planet-friendly. Upcycling your pillows adds to their value by encouraging creativity and enabling distinctive and customized products.
3. Extends their usefulness
Over time, pillows accumulate dust mites, allergens, and microscopic skin particles, making them less hygienic and potentially disruptive to your sleep quality. Regular washing, proper maintenance, and thoughtful repurposing, such as transforming them into knee supports, floor cushions, or travel pillows, can help extend their usefulness while enhancing overall comfort and sleep hygiene.
4. Keeps germs away and invites cost savings.
Swapping out cushions and throw pillows regularly is a simple enough habit that helps keep germs at bay. You can save money and trim waste by repurposing the old pillows, instead of buying fresh padding, pet pads, or decorative cushions. The bottom line is reduced costs and longer life for the things you already own.
5. Clear out the clutter
Spare pillows or old cushions often get stored in closets, especially linen closets, guest room wardrobes, or seasonal storage areas. It contributes to household clutter and reduces functional storage space. Giving it a new look lets you tidy up while reclaiming precious shelf and closet space for items you actually use.
You will make a big impact when you choose to transform them into personalized décor with do-it-yourself crafts or opt for recycling options. Any pillow kept out of a landfill is a small victory for sustainability, after all.
Summing Up
The fate of your old cushions doesn’t have to be the garbage pile. Who knew that tired, lumpy pillows could become the stars of your next home makeover?
You’re making a big difference whether you decide to use do-it-yourself crafts to turn them into personalized décor pieces.
Whether you’re crafting a cozy floor cushion, a cute wall hanging, or a plush toy, it’s fun to explore the creative alternatives. So don’t toss them; upcycle and let your space tell a story.