7 Ways to Reuse Old Pillows

By Brian Acton

Pillows can last anywhere from six months to five years, but at some point their usefulness as a sleeping aid will expire. When your pillows are no longer providing the comfort and support you need to get a good night’s sleep, it’s probably time to replace them.

You may be wondering what to do with your old pillows, especially if you want to avoid sending bulky items to the landfill. Luckily, there are many great uses for old pillows that don’t involve throwing them away.

Here are seven ways to reuse old pillows.

1.    Donate Them to Charity

Some charities, such as homeless shelters and animal shelters, will accept donations of old pillows. They can be reused in beds for the homeless or repurposed to create bedding for animals. 

Not all charities and shelters accept old pillows, so make sure to call ahead before you bring them in for donation. It’s also a good idea to give your old pillows a thorough wash before donating them.

2.    Make a Pet Bed

Using old pillows, you can create a fluffy and comfortable bed for your feline or canine companions. Your pets may prefer a sleeping item that smells like you, and you can save money on expensive beds at the pet store. It’s easy to repurpose old pillows (or their contents) for a pet bed using some fabric or even an old sweatshirt.

3.    Fluff Up Another Pillow

Have another pillow that’s still in good shape, but could use some extra stuffing? You can take some of the stuffing from your retired pillow and add it to the other one, giving it some additional life.

4.    Make Floor Pillows

Old blankets and pillows can be fashioned to create overstuffed, oversized floor pillows. Floor pillows are great for lounging around, reading, or watching television. Kids can use them to build forts or just play on the floor. Here’s a guide to making a pillow bed for your floor.

5.    Block Out Drafts 

Do you have any doors that let drafts into a room? Old pillows are the perfect size and shape to be used as draft-blockers. Just put one in front of your drafty door to block the airflow.

6.    Create a Knee Pad

Do a lot of gardening or yard work, spending time on your knees in the yard? You can use an old pillow as a kneepad to avoid knee aches and pains. Your knees will thank you for the courtesy.

7.    Protect Your Stuff

Whether you’re shipping a fragile item or you’re getting ready to move, old pillows can be used to protect your breakable stuff. You can use old pillows to protect items from collisions or scratches, and it’s a great way to avoid tossing old pillows during a move.