101 Uses for old pillows

101 Uses For is popular and let's hope it stays that way. Our second book is presently called 101 tips for self sufficiency; we will certainly dip into this section for ideas. So post away and let's try and get at least one thread up to 101.
QuakerBear
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101 Uses for old pillows

Post: # 74312Post QuakerBear »

I've got two, they're pretty flat synthetic fibre ones.

I've got enough cusions and so does everyone else I know. Any ideas....
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Milims
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Post: # 74318Post Milims »

Donate them to the local cat and dog shelter as bedding?
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Post: # 74340Post Thomzo »

Try freecycling them for animal beds.

Take them apart and make them into insulation for a home-made cool/hot box.

Make them up into booster cushions for children at the dinner table.

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Post: # 74345Post Annpan »

I managed to resurect 2 the other day, my mum had palmed them off on us and they were so flat they were useless but heres what I did.

Stick them in the washing machine at 60oC to kill the dustmites and when you take them out and they are still wet take a hold of each flat side, pinch the material and a little stuffing and tease apart, then pull out another bit of stuffing, then a little more, you end up with quite a lumpy mess after about 5 mins, hang to dry outside pref. and when it is dry repeat the teasing of the fibres, the pillow should start to resemble a comfortable pillow again.

This process does take quite abit of work but I think it's worth it since you get your pillows back and don't need to get new ones, or dispose of the old ones.


My Mum was abit miffed when she saw my pile of fresh spare bedding, and thought I had bought new pillows :mrgreen:
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Post: # 74357Post possum »

if you are moving house and have lost the fixing bolts for your washing machine, take the lid off it and stuff them down inside.
I know not in this case, but if feather pillows, then chuck them on the compost heap.
If you were closer, I would have them as I need some new cushions.
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Post: # 74371Post QuakerBear »

Ah ha!

I was going to go down the animal bedding route but I've just seen anothe post on here sugessing draught excluders. Excellent. I know what I'm going to do now. The last one I made was a patchwork, stretched camel, compleate with hump. It looked quite frightening actually, :shock: but it worked well.

Thanks guys.
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Post: # 74409Post Thomzo »

Scary draught excluders. Now would that be draughtexaphobia?

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Post: # 74411Post mrsflibble »

I'd use the filling for stuffing my scary animals. I always set out to create a normal looking animal and end up with something really wierd.
oh how I love my tea, tea in the afternoon. I can't do without it, and I think I'll have another cup very
ve-he-he-he-heryyyyyyy soooooooooooon!!!!

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Post: # 74417Post QuakerBear »

I'm not scared of all draught excluders, it was just this one. The eyes went on abit wonky and the mouth ended up zig zagy and well, the ears looked more like horns.
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Post: # 74418Post Thomzo »

Oh brilliant. Have you still got it? I'd love to see a photo. It sounds really cute. :lol:

Cheers
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Post: # 74769Post QuakerBear »

Dear Thomzo,

I'll try and get hold of it 'cos it was a really good use of old scraps of fabric but I thing QuakerGranny has hidden it behind the sofa. Apparently there are lots of draughts there :shock:
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Post: # 74770Post QuakerBear »

Draught Excluder Report:

Used a pair of Mr. QuakerBears ripped jeans. He's 6 foot 2 and one leg is about 2 inches short for the front door. To make the right length it is necessary to use the bum part of trousers. The stuffing of one pillow, teased appart will provide exactly the right amount of padding. If the excluder is narrower then a mans leg you may have too much padding.
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Post: # 84320Post marshlander »

Sometimes you can peel off 'layers' which you can then use to pad the cover of a book/photo album.

or padding for a notice board - you know, the ones with criss cross ribbons that you slip inivites etc under.

or stuff toy mice for the cat

or have a pillow fight :violent1:
Terri x
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Post: # 84331Post hamster »

We've put a couple up the chimney to stop the draughts.
They're not weeds - that's a habitat for wildlife, don't you know?

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Post: # 84455Post snapdragon »

hamster wrote:We've put a couple up the chimney to stop the draughts.
:shock: that'll smell nice when you light the fire :pale:

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