How to Recycle Cloth Napkins

Cloth napkins are much more versatile than they seem: beyond their use at the table, they can be reused in many practical and creative ways. A first simple reuse is to transform them into household towels . If they are cotton or linen, they absorb well and can replace kitchen paper for wiping surfaces, drying glasses, or dusting delicate furniture. If you have several, you can also use them to wrap objects or gifts . With a little upcycling, they become an elegant alternative to wrapping paper (furoshiki style): simply fold and knot them to wrap books, bottles, or small objects. Then there are more specific reuses.

Index of topics

table cloth

Recycling cloth handkerchiefs and napkins into a tablecloth is the most common choice and one of the most rewarding. There are at least two methods for making one: with or without a crochet hook . The choice obviously depends on your knowledge of this technique, which can't be improvised and requires a minimum of experience.

Crochet tablecloth

If you have some napkins in your kitchen drawer ( colored , patterned , or even elegant ), you can combine them to make an original tablecloth. Add a touch of extra flair by adding crocheted inserts . To do so, follow these steps:

start by pulling the napkin wefts and obtaining the overhangs of the cutting line, that of the fold line and those for the single crochet, which you will then make with the crochet hook
Cut off the excess fabric and baste it to prevent it from fraying further
Once all the napkins are ready, you can start making a row of single crochet stitches along the edges from which you can finally sew the chosen partition using a blunt needle.

It's much easier done than said, don't worry.

Simple tablecloth

Naturally, joining napkins together to make a simple tablecloth is much more practical, as it only requires knowledge of a sewing machine. In this case, you can choose to simply sew the napkins together using their edges or use ribbons between them. This way, you can enrich the tablecloth with colorful details based on your intended use or the tastes of the person receiving your creation as a gift.

Decoupage

Decoupage is one of the most popular DIY techniques : it involves cutting out images and gluing them onto an object, carefully finishing the whole thing. If the napkins have a print on them, whatever the design, it can be cut out and applied, using decoupage, to furniture , trays, and much more. In this case, however, you'll need a fabric-safe glue .

Kitchen pot holders

You can combine the napkins you have on hand to make handmade potholders : simply overlap them and sew them together – after padding, which can be made with the same fabrics or with old towels – to a thickness that allows you to avoid burning your hands when picking up a hot pot or pan.

Crunchies

If napkins are colorful, they can become trendy scrunchies . These hair ties , very popular in the '80s, have recently made a comeback. They enhance outfits with a touch of lightness and don't damage hair like many other types of scrunchies. Making them with napkins is a great way to reuse them.

Fabric bookmarks

Reusing cloth napkins doesn't end there: did you know you could make fabric bookmarks with them? Simply cut a long, narrow piece of cardboard and cover it with your spare fabric. Finished with matching strings, you could get some interesting gift ideas.

patchwork fabric

If you're wondering what to do with six different napkins , the answer is clear: patchwork . Besides sewing together scraps of different fabrics, it's an economical and eco-friendly technique that allows you to recycle damaged fabrics.

Pillowcases

How about pillowcases ? Depending on the size of your napkins, you may need two or three per pillow. Simply hem the finished edges of the napkin and zip them up.

Doll clothes

How do you sew napkins to make doll clothes ? Making clothes for Barbie and co. is much easier than making them for men or women, even without a sewing machine. Try the napkin directly on the doll by cutting out the shape (leaving wider margins), then sew them together with needle and thread.

Bags

The tote bag is a favorite accessory for DIY enthusiasts and the perfect answer to the question " What to do with an old tablecloth? " The same goes for napkins, which should be sewn together at the bottom and sides, leaving a gap for the handles.

What to do with the cloth napkins we no longer use at the table