{"id":1716,"date":"2021-08-26T15:22:51","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T15:22:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebeddingplanet.com\/?p=1716"},"modified":"2021-09-12T13:08:09","modified_gmt":"2021-09-12T13:08:09","slug":"how-to-recycle-your-pillow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebeddingplanet.com\/how-to-recycle-your-pillow\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Recycle Your Pillow? 12 things you can do with an old pillow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This post is part of the\u00a0complete guide for picking the right sleeping pillow<\/a><\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pillows provide us with so much comfort, and there are so many benefits to their use. It\u2019s too bad we can\u2019t sleep on them forever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what should we do with pillows that are no longer good for sleeping? Most things are recyclable, and pillows aren\u2019t that different. How do we recycle pillows? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, read on to find several different ways you can recycle your pillow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you are interested in checking out the best rated pillows currently available on the market, you can do so on Amazon\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Recycle Old Pillows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, old pillows are not that easy to get rid of. It\u2019s not that simple to just donate them. Places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill may not accept them for sanitary reasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what then can you do with all those old pillows? Seems like a lot to just throw them away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m under the belief that everything is recyclable. So below are some great ideas for some good bedfellows. Because let\u2019s be honest \u2014 if you didn\u2019t have to buy new pillows, you\u2019d probably prefer to use the old ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 12 things you can do to recycle your old pillows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Donate Pillows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While not all places are excited to receive old pillows, there are some places you can still consider reaching out to, like homeless shelters, animal shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers, or maybe even daycare centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s best to contact them before making a trip that may prove fruitless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Make Floor Cushions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you know what your family night and game nights are missing? Floor cushions. You can have these in no time now that you have old pillows that need to be recycled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what if there\u2019s not enough seating? Throw your new DIY floor cushions around on the floor, and you\u2019ve got plenty of seats for everyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making them can be as simple as finding pre-made cushion covers, or you can get your own fabric and sew on your own cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Make a Pet Bed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Maybe your pet can use a new bed. If so, you\u2019ve now got one in your old pillow. Turning your old pillow into your pet\u2019s new bed will serve two purposes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it will keep you from having to toss your old pillows. Second, it will give your pet comfort and familiarity, as the pillow probably smells a little like you. At the least, he\u2019ll know his new bed is connected to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Use as Packing Material<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Are you moving any time soon? If you are, you\u2019ll need some assistance with packing. Old pillows make great packing fillers when you\u2019re moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect those delicate and fragile items, and protect your furniture from scrapes. Old pillows can come in handy this way. Memory foam and latex pillows<\/a> are even great for cutting down to size to help protect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Make Throw Pillows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Throw pillows are one of the cheapest DIY projects around. No need to buy fancy throw pillows when you have old pillows lying around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compress your old pillow fillings and make them into square throws, turn them into travel-size pillows or throw pillows for your sofas and loveseats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Seal Drafts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Airy drafts throughout the house can affect your energy bill. It\u2019s time to clog those drafty spots under doors and in window sills by making your own draft stoppers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a pair of old long socks, fill them with filling from an old pillow, sew it together, and you\u2019ve got your draft stopper. You can also fill an old pillowcase with filling from an old pillow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve repurposed some items, stopped the draft so the house is warmer, and saved your energy bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Make a Gardening Cushion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you do a lot of gardening, it would probably be helpful to have some protection for your knees when you\u2019re working so diligently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a great opportunity to repurpose those old pillows and turn them into knee cushions for when you\u2019re gardening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can double up an old pillow in a sturdy pillowcase, or you can make your own cover with outdoor-safe fabric. That\u2019ll make the cushion more durable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Use Down Feathers as Fertilizer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have an old pillow stuffed<\/a> with down feathers, they\u2019re compostable. If you\u2019re a gardener, you have the perfect source for fertilizer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place the pillow filling in a compost bin with leaves, used coffee grounds, and vegetable scraps, and in several months you\u2019ll have a nitrogen-high fertilizer to use in the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Stuff Another Pillow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you have a newer pillow that\u2019s not yet ready to be tossed, but could be a little fuller, take advantage of the stuffing you have. Take filling from an old pillow and add it to a newer pillow that just needs to be refreshed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Insulate Anything<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Old pillows are great for insulating parts of your home that could use a little more insulation. For instance, places like your attic, around the bathtub, your hot water tank, and your pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Make Your Hamster\u2019s Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hamsters make great pets. And they would probably love the filling from an old pillow. Line the hamster\u2019s cage with old pillow filling and refresh as needed when the filling gets soiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Restuff an Animal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your child\u2019s stuffed animal or your old stuffed animal is looking a little saggy these days, we know the perfect procedure. Give it a new lease on life with some new, old stuffing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take filling from an old pillow and place it inside the stuffed animal by trimming away some stitching. Fill the animal as much as you can and sew it back up. I\u2019m sure this procedure will make everyone feel better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When do I know it\u2019s time to recycle my pillow?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the National Sleep Foundation, pillows should be replaced<\/a> every one to two years. But it really depends on the type of pillow you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some pillows have a life span of one or two years longer than most. If you\u2019ve had a pillow for at least two years, it\u2019s time to determine if it has any more life in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do that, ask yourself these simple questions: is your pillow comfortable? Do you wake up in pain? Are you having any allergy symptoms? Is your pillow flat? How you respond to these questions may help let you know if it\u2019s time to repurpose your pillow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are pillows recycled? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not all pillows have the same filling so they must be taken apart so that the different components can be separated. The material is ground up for reprocessing. Some are recycled into insulation, carpet padding, or industrial rags. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens to certain fillers (foam, down, polyester) during recycling?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n