What To Do With Old Pillows? How to Recycle or Repurpose?

There’s nothing worse than having old pillows lying around. They just look ugly and make your house feel dirty. But who wants to throw away perfectly good pillows?

Actually, it seems like EVERY household has old pillows lying around. 

Some people throw them away because they’re tired of them, while others hang onto them, hoping someday they might find a new home. 

But what do you do with old pillows?

Don’t throw away your old pillows. Instead, REPURPOSE them into something useful. This article will share 10 creative ideas for turning old pillows into something new and useful.

When Should You Get Rid of Old Pillows?

A pillow that is two years and above is considered old. You need to adapt to replacing your cushions every two to three years for better sleep. 

• If you find yourself waking up with a stiff or sore neck, the reason might be your old lumpy pillow. It might have become too firm or too soft. 

• If your old pillow has turned yellow, has stains, and emits smells (even after washing), it is time to get a new one.

Things to Do With Old Pillows

Do not toss old pillows directly into the trash. They are disposed of in landfills, which is not sustainable. 

Here are some of the things you can do with an old pillow:

1. Donate the Pillows to Animal Shelters

Animal shelters can use old pillows to offer their residents a better habitat. 

They turn these pillows into beddings for the animals in the shelter, which allows them to sleep comfortably, which is good for them.

2. Recycle the Old Pillows

If, by any chance, you have no specific use for the old pillows you are getting rid of, it is always correct that you recycle the pillows. 

When recycling, you have to make sure that the pillow does not have grease or oil. Recycling old pillows is a good idea as it is safe and applies to something.

American Textile Recycling Service (ATRS) provides donation bins for unwanted clothes, shoes, toys, and household textiles. 

You can find their donation bins at parking lots of major shopping centers, local groceries, drug stores, etc.

3. Use As a Floor Seating

The fact that a pillow is old doesn’t mean that it cannot be reused. You can reuse your old pillows by having them find purpose around the house. 

The pillows can be used as floor cushions which are fun and decorative art for your home. 

People can sit down on the floor whenever they like without feeling as if they are cold or too low.

4. Use Them As Decorative Accents

Pillows are decorative accents in any room. They add color and texture to a space. 

If you have an old pillow lying around, you can use it as a decorative accent in your living room, bedroom, or kitchen.

5. Use For Gardening

Gardening is fun and sometimes uncomfortable to the body, especially when kneeling. 

To solve this problem, you can use the old pillows you do not plan on using again to protect your knees from getting bruised when in the garden.

6. Use As Fertilizer

Old pillows that have feathers can be used as fertilizer as the feathers can compose. 

Remove the feathers from the old pillows and store them in a container where you can mix them with coffee grounds and leaves. 

After some months, you will have fertilizer rich in nitrogen.

7. Build a Fort With Kids

Building forts in the house is so much fun and a way for friends and family to bond together. 

Old pillows that are not in use anymore can be used in building forts, which is fun, especially in homes with kids. 

As long as the cushions are clean, they can be used for this particular purpose.

8. Use As Throw Pillows

Old pillows are adequate for creating throw pillows. It saves you money. You do not have to spend money on new throw pillows. 

You can buy fabrics that you will use to design great throw pillows for your house. The old pillows are helpful even in their old state.

9. Make Them Into a Pet Bed

If you’re looking to make a new bed for your pet, consider using old pillows instead of buying a new one. You can use them to make a cozy spot for your furry friend. 

Remember to wash them before giving them to your pet (use pet-friendly detergent)!

You can place old pillows in the corner of a pet bed. You can fold the corners inward and sew them together with thread for a better shape. You can also take out the filling and put it inside a custom-shaped bed.

10. Use as Outdoor Seating

Outdoor seating is a great way to use old pillows. 

Consider repurposing your old pillows as outdoor seating if you’re lucky enough to live near a park, forest, or beach. 

They’re perfect for lounging, reading, or just enjoying nature. Or just use them in your backyard.

The Bottom Line

If you have old pillows lying around that you haven’t used in years, don’t just throw them in the trash. 

Recycle! 

Or turn them into something useful. Create a new look for your home. That’s inexpensive and eco-friendly.