Write an article based on this "Cut old linens and T-shirts up for rags. Use colorful fabric scraps for jewelry and art projects. Make a quilt Turn old clothing into pet bedding. Make napkins out of an old sheet or tablecloth. Cut an old T-shirt into a halter top. Turn ripped jeans into shorts. Make tote bags out of old T-shirts."

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Textiles that are very old, worn, or stained can be very useful for cleaning up around the house. Cut your textiles into 6 to 8in (15 to 20cm) squares, and use them instead of paper towels to clean counters and other surfaces. Textured fabrics, like terry cloth towels, can make good rags for washing dishes. If you're the crafty type, you may want to save any old textiles with attractive patterns and reuse the parts that are in good condition. Keychains, handkerchiefs, and phone cases are all simple projects that can be made with fabric scraps. using pieces of old textiles. Quilting is a great way to use up fabric scraps of any size, especially if you have old items that have sentimental value. If you don't have any experience quilting, consider taking a class and starting with a very simple pattern. This is a convenient use for any textiles that are too worn or stained to be presentable. You can put them in shallow cardboard boxes to create pet beds, or add them to the pet beds you already have for extra padding. If you have a sheet or tablecloth that is still in good condition but has a tear or stain that makes it unusable, cut out the damaged part and turn the rest into napkins. Cut 18in 18in (46cm 46cm) squares out of the sheet and make 1in (2.5cm) hems on the edges. You can make a simple hem by folding each edge of the square back about 1in (2.5cm) and sewing it in place. This will keep the edges from fraying. It can be helpful to iron the fold so it stays in place while you sew it. Start by cutting the sleeves off, making each cut from the armpit to the collar. You should leave about 6in (15cm) of collar when you cut. On the back side of the shirt cut a straight line across between the armpits. Fold the remaining piece of collar under about 1in (2.5cm), then sew it in place. The collar will now have a small hem that you can run a string or cord through, which you can tie around your neck to hold the shirt in place. If the hems or knees of your jeans have worn out, but they still fit well, they can be used as shorts. Put the jeans on and look in a full-length mirror to determine how long you want the shorts to be, and mark the length with a pen so you will know where to cut. Use fabric scissors to make clean cuts. It's a good idea to use a ruler or measuring tape to make sure your shorts are the same length on both legs. Cut the sleeves and collar off of your shirt and turn it inside out. Sew a straight line along the bottom, then sew over the line again to reinforce it. You can then turn the T-shirt right side out and use it as a tote bag, with the shoulders of the shirt acting as handles.