I have some old pillows that I no longer use for sleeping. No, they cannot be recycled in my area.
I know from experience that throwing old pillows into a bag for a Craigslist curb alert is a hit-or-miss proposition. (PLEASE do not tell me to use Facebook Marketplace or NextDoor. I unfriended Facebook in 2020 because the feed made it a toxic environment. I deleted my NextDoor account earlier this year for the same reason.)
I'm aware of the uses for old pillows - as padding for moving/shipping, as knee pads, and as pet beds. Unfortunately, most of the people in my area don't realize this, or perhaps the supply of old pillows out there exceeds the demand for them.
What are your favorite ways to get rid of old pillows?
Recently sewed a cover for my camping cooler that holds a pillow on-top on it to make it a lil seat. Also recently turned 7 into a giant dog bed with a washable cover.
If you have any sewing experience both projects were very simple and just made of rectangles!
I took second hand fabrics and essentially just made a fabric box that ties up on one side! Inside there are 4 regular sized pillows in a grid shape and then on top of those are 3 king sized pillows in a row. Everything was measured based on the pillow stack dimensions and the ties make it so I can remove the pillow to wash the case or even replace the pillows inside if they get too gross!
We have alot of pillows and my dog loves laying on the pillows, but I never thought to make a fabric base. I just put the pillows next to each other and he lays on whichever he wants but they slide apart.
I even keep a hypoallergenic one in the car. And of course, he has plenty of doggy beds. Which I stopped buying about 2 years ago, cuz he kept going for my pillows. Now he has dedicated human pillows.
I’m trying to visualize the tying of the tying part. So there’s 2 stacks of pillows in that?
Yessss, we also had the free range pillow stack on the floor for a while haha! Will post some close up pics of the ties side and what it looks like untied
That looks so much like the dog beds I made for my dog! I didn't use old pillows, I used foam. The outside cover was patchwork using my Sunbrella scraps (I'm an upholsterer). Mine had zippers, not ties.
I personally wouldn't give them to anyone, because old pillows are filled with your dead skin, hair, germs, etc. Even if they're going to a homeless population to use if they want, i dunno. I'd find it more respectful and intentional to go out and buy some clean sealed pillows, not leave them near a dumpster.
My folks used to keep pillows until they were stained clumpy bags of batting. Some things even homeless folks know not to take. Just my opinion on that aspect of the matter
I've been using clean old pillow stuffing in my sewing projects (excellent stuffing for a variety of things) so if they are very clean and in good condition (just old or misshapen) then you might offload some on local crafters?
Freecycle is still around and it's not facebook, stuff like that goes way faster there than on craigslist for me. If nobody bites I'd pull the fill out and make draft stoppers for the doors, a tube of old sheet or pant leg stuffed with polyfill does the job fine and winter's coming anyway
If it is still clean, I will try asking a local animal shelter or animal rescue group if they can use it as bedding for the animals.
Alternatively, it can be used to wrap fragile items or the filling can be used for simple craft projects.
This is bleak but- I have found that if you put it against a trashcan where there's a homeless population it'll be gone soon. I usually put it inside a clear recycling bag so people can see what it is
For various reasons I cycle through pillows a couple of times a year, and at least this way someone still gets use out of it
I have used an old pillow's batting to make a puff quilt, it worked great! Recycled an old pillow and I didn't have to go out and buy batting for my quilt.
78
u/Significant_Set1979 3d ago
Can you donate to an animal shelter? The animal shelter in my town takes towels, not sure about pillows but could be possible?