FROM RICHES TO RICH RAGS: UPCYCLING CLOTHES
Out with the old and in with the upcycling ideas! Clothes come and go from our wardrobe. And what better way to get rid of unwanted garments than by reusing them for another purpose? Not only does extending the life of clothing reduce the fashion industry’s environmental impact, but it can also help those in need!
With our DIY upcycled clothing ideas, you’ll see just how simple and rewarding it is to upcycle your clothes. But first, what is upcycling? Why does it matter? And what are the different ways to upcycle clothes? Let’s dive right into these questions – and our wardrobes.
What does it mean to upcycle your clothes?
Let’s begin with upcycling clothes for beginners 101: What exactly is upcycling? It’s simply taking old unwanted clothing items and reusing them for another purpose. The fun thing about this is you can let your creativity run free!
Whether you wish to upcycle baby clothes into trim for a coat, save buttons for a craft, or go tie-dye crazy, the possibilities are endless.
What are the benefits of upcycling clothes?
Why are DIY upcycled clothing ideas so in demand right now? There are a few big reasons why reusing old clothing items is so important:
It minimises the amount of discarded materials sent to landfills.
It reduces the need for production that uses new or raw materials.
It is better for the planet as it reduces air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
It helps support small local businesses.
It gives your wardrobe a one-of-a-kind touch with unique pieces.
In short, finding ways to upcycle old clothes is incredibly beneficial to our beautiful planet, our community, and even our personal wardrobe.
Ideas for DIY: Upcycle clothes
Upcycling clothes for beginners may seem intimidating at first. But by trying these different ways to upcycle clothes, you’ll see just how simple – and even fun – it can be!
If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and DIY, upcycle clothes by considering these different ideas:
Donate your clothes
There are so many charities that will happily take your unwanted clothing items and put them to good use. Just make sure that your clothes are in good condition, with no stains or odours. Before giving your unwanted clothes a new life, wash them with a detergent and a fabric conditioner, such as Ultimate Care Fresh Skies. Just because they’re old, doesn’t mean they have to smell old.
Why use a fabric conditioner?
Using fabric conditioner can help keep your clothes like new. Be sure to always read the care label when you add a fabric conditioner as this can help keep clothes like new – reducing the need to throw them out. When added in the final stage of the washing process, our fabric conditioner coats the fibres of your clothes and helps to keep them soft, smelling great, and able to retain their shape and colour. It helps to keep them from bobbling and makes them easy to iron, and with less static. Ultimately, it helps to keep clothes in good condition, so you can enjoy your favourite items for longer!
Give your clothes a makeover
One creative way to upcycle old clothes is to restyle and reuse parts of your wardrobe. So, get out your scissors, tie-dye, lace, and anything else that will help you transform your clothes into something you’re excited to wear again.
Use unwanted clothes as cleaning rags
When it comes to different upcycling ideas, clothes don’t necessarily have to be repurposed into something for wearing! If you have a garment that is too far gone or you simply have no other use for it, why not use it as a cleaning rag?
This is a great idea if you want to upcycle baby clothes or other small clothing pieces that you no longer use. Keep your house – and conscience – clean with the knowledge that you’re also helping the planet.
You can never get too creative when it comes to upcycling ideas for clothes. Have fun with these different DIY upcycled clothing ideas and be happy with the knowledge that you’re helping to make our planet – and your wardrobe – a better place.