You ever notice that we tend to keep certain things around until we have a whole closet full of them? I was recently going through our house and came across this monstrous pile. I asked on The Happy Housewife Facebook page what to do with extra pillowcases and here are some of my favorite answers!
12 Ways to Use Extra Pillowcases
1. Donate
This one is a no-brainer. If you have a lot of something its always a good idea to give to those who have too little. Some places that were recommended to me were safe houses, animal shelters, deployed soldiers overseas, etc.
2. Rags
This one is great and easy! Just cut up the pillowcases in different sized rags and use them for all kinds of cleaning. Of course, make sure you don’t already have too many rags!
3. Pillowcase Dresses
I’m making one for my youngest. They can be surprisingly cute and a lot of fun.
4. Travel Pillows
When you are taking the family on a road trip you can layer pillows with several pillowcases. This way when they inevitably get dirty you can just shed a layer with little fuss and have a clean place to lay your head.
5. Wrapping a Gift
If you ever have an oddly shaped gift or just want to surprise your kids try wrapping the gift in an old pillowcase! See more frugal gift wrapping ideas here.
6. Clean your Kids Stuffed Toys
By putting the stuffed animal into a pillowcase you protect it from getting too aggressively washed in the washer. This also protects everything else in the wash from getting animal fluff on them.
Just remember to tie the pillowcase with a rubber band or something similar.
7. Pack Fragile Objects
When you have to pack away something fragile, don’t go out and buy expensive bubble wrap. Just wrap the fragile Christmas or seasonal decorations or plates with your spare pillowcases. This tip would definitely help when moving, too!
8. Line Wastebaskets
You rarely have to replace them and they are washable. Just know that this can get gross, so I wouldn’t advise it in the bathroom trash or kitchen trash.
9. Re-gift
Have a pretty pillowcase that is in great condition? Slap a monogram or a little design on there and give it to a friend.
10. Make a Hot Pack
You can cut your pillowcase into three sections the long way and sew into 3 tubes. Sew one end up on each tube and fill it with long grained rice and then sew the opening shut.
Now you have hot packs that can be heated up in the microwave and used to soothe neck and back pains. Use this homemade heat pad tutorial to guide you.
11. Clean Your Ceiling Fans
Pillowcases are amazing to clean ceiling fans! Just place the pillowcase around each blade, one at a time, and wipe off the dust.
All of the dust falls INTO the pillowcase preventing it from falling all over your floors and furniture! Then just shake the pillowcases out in the backyard and throw into the wash. (See more tips for cleaning your ceiling fans here.)
12. Make a Superhero Cape
Use this step by step tutorial to make an easy superhero cape using only a pillowcase and a few decorations. Older kids will have a fun time decorating their own superhero cape.
I loved this discussion and would like to do it again! What do you have “too many of” in your home that you’d like some alternate uses for? Tell us in the comments below and we will see what we can figure out!
Lisa Fetty says
You can also use them as pouches to hold complete sheet sets. For example, fold the pillowcase(s), flat sheet and fitted sheet that all coordinate. Put them in a neat stack and then put the whole ensemble into one separate pillowcase. When you need to make the bed, you just have to grab one filled pillowcase 🙂
Kate @ The Beautiful Useful Project says
What awesome ideas! I’ve got a lot of extra pillowcases that we certainly don’t need anymore. Time to make superhero capes!
Cynthia says
I have made cloth bags out of pillowmases. Google it, you’ll find many patterns. I keep them in my trunk to use at Aldi’ s or the Farmer’ s Market. My mother also uses them as laundry bags to transport my father’s laundry to & from the nursing home.
Liz says
I keep a set number of pillowcases, I switch the cases a couple of times a week. Then wash all the cases and the sheets together at one time.
Now, what to do with excess drinking glasses?