Broken Umbrellas: 10 Ideas for Recycling Them

Never underestimate the creative recycling of umbrellas. During the rainy season, we're used to using them often and even buying them quite frequently: perhaps just because a storm suddenly hits us while we're on the street and on our way home. So we waste them. On the contrary, a broken umbrella or out of use, and in any case no longer usable for its function, can be transformed into many useful objects for the home, thanks to a simple and fun creative recycling mechanism.

How can you recycle a broken umbrella? With a little creativity and imagination, you can use it to decorate your home, your garden, and more: with just a little cutting and sewing, you can transform the cover into a skirt or bag. And don't throw anything away with an old umbrella: every single part can have a second life, from the waterproof cover to the wooden or plastic handle to the spoked frame.

Here are many original and above all low cost ideas for the creative recycling of old umbrellas.

Clothes hangers

If the umbrella's canvas is irreparably damaged, don't despair. You can always use the handle, which can be transformed into a handy coat hanger. Simply attach the handles to a wooden stand, perhaps painted to your liking.

Bag

Photo Credit | Facebook Silvia Surdo

The part of the umbrella that is most suitable for being recycled for many new uses is without a doubt the waterproof fabric: it doesn't take much to make it become a shopping bag, a shoe bag, a backpack cover for children, an original rain scarf.

Skirts

There is a young Italian designer, Cecilia Felli, who transforms the waterproof fabric of umbrellas into many original skirts do it yourself. You can admire all his creations on his blogAnd maybe get some inspiration to make one yourself.

Dog raincoat

Photo Credit | Facebook Creative Ideas

Thanks to its composition, the canvas of an old umbrella can also become a waterproof for your four-legged friend. Or, similarly, a pet carrier cover, the kind we typically use to take our pets on trips or to the vet. You can also put it over the seat to keep it clean during these times.

Plant protection

Did you know that you can reuse your old umbrella for garden and outdoor care?garden? Use it for protect plants from the cold during the winter. They will certainly benefit, especially when temperatures approach freezing.

flowerpot

If turned upside down and filled with expanded clay, the umbrella transforms into a pretty nice planter. You can plant any plants you like inside, taking into account the location of the planter, of course.

Drying rack

Photo Credit | Facebook Lightning Deals Italy

The “skeleton” of the umbrella becomes a practical clotheshorse For use both indoors and outdoors, perhaps on a balcony that's not too spacious. The same goes for the frame of an umbrella, which allows for hanging a larger quantity of clothing.

Pouf

Photo Credit | Facebook  The Train To Crazy

A lovely idea for a pouf for the kids' room, made by sewing together pieces of umbrella fabric to form a pouch, open on one side, through which the stuffing can be inserted. A quick and inexpensive idea that will delight both adults and children.

Chandelier

Photo Credit | Facebook Eco Ideas

If we add a light bulb to an umbrella and then hang it from the ceiling, we will create a truly bizarre and certainly effective chandelier, adaptable to any room in the house.

Home decoration

An umbrella closed with a colored ribbon and filled inside with fresh or artificial flowers turns into a decoration An extremely romantic touch for your front door. Why not try it?

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• How to recycle unwanted cutlery
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• How to recycle egg cartons
• Bag made from old jeans