Clothes that are no longer worn often get given to friends, acquaintances, or donated. With old, damaged sets, many people use them as rags.
Should you use old clothes as rags? The answer is yes. Utilizing old clothes as rags not only helps you save money but also helps reduce waste in the environment.
However, there are many different materials used to manufacture garments, and each type has its own cleaning purpose when used as a rag.
Old clothes made from cotton fabric
T-shirts made from cotton fabric are the best and most suitable type of rag for surfaces in your living space. Cotton is soft, durable, and absorbs well. Therefore, you can use them to wipe kitchen surfaces, table cabinets, and oil stains around the oven.
Should you use old clothes as rags? The answer is yes, and each material has its own cleaning purposes. (Illustrative image: Istock)
Old clothes made from flannel fabric
The soft, fuzzy layer of flannel fabric makes it easy to clean thick layers of dust. Beautiful flannel sets with good fabric and patterns are also cut into small pieces to make cup coasters.
Old clothes made from woven fabric
Woven fabric (silk, woven cotton) is smooth and often used to make office shirts. This material is suitable for cleaning glass or mirrors, making the surfaces cleaner and shinier.
Woven fabric has a tight fiber structure, which makes objects shine when rubbed.
However, thick leather or denim fabrics are not suitable for use as rags.
Notes when using old clothes as rags
– Remove all buttons, fasteners, and hardware on the clothes before turning them into rags.
– Cut the fabric flat, removing the collar, hems, waistbands, and seams to ensure the rag is smooth and avoid leaving marks on wet surfaces.
– Sew the cloth pieces together into neat squares. You can wash and store them in a cabinet for later use.
Besides using old clothes as rags, there are other useful methods of handling them:
– Donate or give away clothes that are still in good condition.
– Participate in fashion recycling programs organized by major fashion brands.
– Repurpose them into unique new outfits.
– Recycle old clothes into essential household items such as doormats, cup coasters, tote bags, etc.
You should make the most out of the benefits that old clothes can bring. Don’t burn them as it will create hazardous waste that affects your health, pollutes the environment, and increases the risk of fire or explosion.
According to VTC News