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Key Points
- Old denim works great for tough cleaning but must be washed well to prevent dye transfer.
- Its durability makes it ideal for DIY rags, aprons, scrubbing pads, and pet wipes.
- Repurposing jeans cuts waste and gives you sturdy tools for everyday chores.
Old jeans can find new life in your home by repurposing them as versatile cleaning tools. Sturdy, long-lasting denim can be surprisingly useful around the house, especially for tough cleaning jobs. Steve Evans of Memphis Maids says denim's durability makes it a practical material to keep on hand. Ahead, cleaning experts share smart ways to repurpose old jeans and what to do first to make sure the fabric is ready for household use.
Meet the Expert
- Steve Evans is the owner of Memphis Maids.
- Ryan Knoll is the owner of Tidy Casa.
- Karina Toner is the operations manager of Spekless Cleaning.
What to Do Before Reusing Denim
Each expert emphasized washing the denim—especially dark washes—in hot water and detergent to make sure it doesn't bleed dye on whatever you're trying to clean.
Usually, you'd wash jeans in cold water to let them retain their coloring, but in the case of using the fabric for cleaning purposes, the hot water will wash any excess dye out.
"You'll see it with raw denim a lot, that as soon as you put it in water, the water will turn blue," Ryan Knoll, the owner of Tidy Casa, says. "But after a couple of cleanings, the indigo dye that they use for all jeans is not on here anymore."
To ensure the fabric is ready to be recycled, make sure the jeans don't bleed blue when wet and do a test wipe on a surface to see if it leaves any residue behind. It's also important to note that denim can be a tough fabric and shouldn't be used on things that need a gentle touch.
"The sturdy, textured weave is great for scrubbing, but it can be a little too aggressive for delicate surfaces like soft plastics, high-shine glass, or certain screen coatings," Karina Toner, the operations manager of Spekless Cleaning, says.
Tips
When in doubt, try denim on an inconspicuous area to check for scratching or dye transfer. Use microfiber or a softer cloth for more delicate jobs.
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Creative Ways to Repurpose Jeans at Home
Drop Cloths for Painting
Evans suggests using old jeans to cover surfaces where you don’t want to get paint on and to use them as rags to clean where paint has dropped.
"Denim is quite sturdy, so it’s great for heavy-duty cleaning," he says. "Anything like cement or paint spills can be cleaned with denim rags."
Rags for Car Maintenance
Evans recommends using denim when working on or below the vehicle, because "denim rags can be helpful to absorb all that oil and avoid stains from getting into your clothes."
Knoll advises using old jeans to wax the car's exterior and wipe down the mirrors, because, unlike a microfiber towel, the denim won't leave any lint behind.
Turn Denim Into an Apron
If you're into sewing, Evans suggests turning that old fabric into a handy apron that can be a solid barrier against any kitchen and cooking stains.
"It’s thick and durable so it’s perfect as a barrier for oil and grease," he says. "You can even re-use your jeans pockets as pockets for your apron. Of course, it depends on your sewing skills and equipment."
Create a Scrubbing Pad
Thanks to its rough texture, Toner recommends layering and stitching several denim pieces together to create a thicker pad for deep scrubbing tough spots, like stovetops, ovens, or grimy tubs.
"The texture provides enough friction to scrub off gunk, while still being soft enough not to scratch or damage surface finishes," she says.
Sew Into a Dusting Mitt
Take the tough fabric and turn it into a glove, which can act as a DIY dusting mitt around the house.
"You can swipe along blinds, vents, or railings with so much ease," Toner says. "Denim is thick, durable, and textured in all the right ways to tackle this type of cleaning."
Use Denim on a Flat Mop
Flat mops, like a Swiffer, often use cleaning pads that attach via Velcro—and Knoll says fabric from jeans can be used there instead of a microfiber towel or a refill wet pad. The fabric will stick to the Velcro and polish your floors.
"The denim picks up chemicals really well, and they polish really nicely because they have that slight abrasiveness and durability," he says.
Make Pet Paw Wipes
When your dogs and cats get their paws dirty, Toner recommends using the inner lining of the denim as paw wipes. Cut up the jeans into smaller squares and dampen a little bit to clean off your pets' feet.
"The fabric is just rough enough to lift dried dirt without being too abrasive for paws, and it doesn’t shred like paper towels," she says.
Read the original article on The Spruce
