T-shirt Rags
posted by Andrea | 10/30/2010
The other day, in the middle of one of my speed-cleaning sessions, I pulled a rag from our “rag basket” and realized we could probably use a few new ones. We had lots of “holey” rags, stained rags, dirty and grimy rags — it wan’t pretty!
I guess I just figure, they are rags…and I should use them until I can’t use them anymore, right? At least I’m not using rolls and rolls of papertowel {see, I’m “going green”!!}
However, while many of you might head to the store to purchase a new set of rags, I went down to our bedroom and pulled out a few old t-shirts from my dresser drawer…
Yes, you heard me right — I get our rags from my dresser drawer!
In my opinion, t-shirts make some of the best cleaning rags. They are so soft, lint-free, AND cost-free! Plus, it’s a great incentive to clear some of the clutter from your closets and/or dressers!
So how to you make a t-shirt rag?
Easy! All you have to do is choose a t-shirt that has no screen printing on the back side. Then simply cut up the sides and around the arms. Then chop off the neck and the bottom. {for those of you who need a pattern, simply follow the dotted line!}
You can trash your t-shirt “remains” OR, you can cut a 12″x12″ square out of the fronts and use them to make a t-shirt quilt. {I have about 14 shirt-fronts; when I get to 16, I’m making a quilt…hopefully!}
Go Calvin College 
OK, back to the rags:
Do I cut them perfectly each time?
Nope.
Do I need a pattern so they are all the same size?
Nope.
Do they still work to wipe up messes?
Yup.
Are they MUCH prettier than plain white, store-bought rags?
YES!
So Pretty!
Then, once you have your new rags, you can go ahead and start cleaning your home, your fridge, your car, or whatever else is on your list the week.
Happy cleaning!
Filed under: Cleaning • Living Simply
Lona
30/10/2010You would not do that with a Calvin shirt. I’m shocked. =O
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Andrea Reply:
October 30th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Lona,
The Calvin shirt is for my t-shirt quilt…not for a rag! However, I did use the back of that shirt for a rag
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Lona Reply:
October 30th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Whew! I was worried…
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Tiffany @ Home Grown Families
22/03/2011And I just put a bunch of shirts in the bag to be donated…
Thanks for the diagram. I need diagrams!
Tiffany
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Donna
02/02/2012I am always surprised at how many people do not have rags. I don’t know what people do with all those old tshirts and towels — throw them away???? I haven’t made mine pretty like you suggested, but next time maybe I’ll get out the scissors instead of tearing them up
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Chris
10/02/2012I have also seen an old t-shirt made into a scarf. You cut the t-shirt across right below the arms, So you have a rectangular tube. Then you cut into the t-shirt like you do for a fleece blanket, I haven’t tried it yet but sounds like it would be a soft scarf.
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Andrea Reply:
February 10th, 2012 at 10:56 am
hmmm… I might have to try this too. It sounds like it could be a really cute way to re-purpose old t-shirts [and we have a lot of them around here!]
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Candi May
24/02/2012My mom always used Daddy’s old (but thoroughly clean) underwear to dust with. Same material.
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Amy @ Positively Splendid
09/03/2012There is nothing better than using something old in a useful way! I shared this idea in a round-up of great tips on my blog today. Thanks for the inspiration! http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2012/03/12-more-why-didnt-i-think-of-that-tips.html
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Jacqueline
03/04/2012I LOVE this idea.
I also use old white socks. I keep them in an empty cat litter bucket. There are always plenty, easy to use with bleach for nasty messes, and no problem to throw away when done. We always wind up with more old socks.
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Debra Kapellakis
12/04/2012I started doing this a few years ago. I was hoping no one would think I was weird. It is relief to see someone else doing it. lol thank you for sharing
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