1. Reusable makeup pads 

Traditional makeup remover pads generate a lot of waste. As we dispose of them after one use, these tiny pieces of cotton can pile up quite quickly. Not to mention that since these are usually not made of pure cotton, they are not recyclable. Even if they are, this only applies if you don't use them to remove makeup or for chemicals like disinfectants. Switching to reusable makeup pads is an easy way to reduce your waste. Even better is the fact that you can easily make them at home, using your old clothes and towels. To get started, make sure you use soft material, such as cotton, microfiber, terry cloth, bamboo velour or fleece. Another great tip is to make square shaped makeup remover pads instead of round ones. While we might be more used to the round shape, square ones create less fabric waste and it really doesn't make any difference when you use it. Washing them is also easy, just put your homemade makeup pads into a wash bag and wash them on low temperature.

2. Patchwork blanket

T-shirts can hold lots of memories. But as time goes by, our favorite t-shirts with bold prints and signs can wear out. If you are one of those people with a big pile of unused tees in their wardrobe, this DIY hack is for you! By creating a patchwork blanket out of your old pieces you can add a unique element to your bedroom and keep the memories at the same time. All you need is an old blanket for one side, and t-shirts for the other, which you cut into square shaped fabric pieces. Sew the pieces together then onto the blanket and there you have it. Now you won´t have to think about what to do with all the clothing, and you will also have a blanket that will keep you warm during winter. 

3. Plant hangers

Adding plants to our living spaces has several benefits. They can clear the air, make any room look homely, and they add some color to our lives. It's no surprise that taking care of plants is a hobby for many. But having lots of pots around your windows might not be the best practice, as they often get in the way. Plant hangers are great decor pieces and they can help you free up some surface space too. So why not use your old clothes to create some? Here we have another t-shirt hack that is simple and you don't need to sew at all! All you need is a t-shirt, some big beams and scissors. This is a craft that will allow you to explore your creativity as there are infinite options to customize your own plant hangers. Cut your chosen fabric into long strips (make sure they are the same length), tie them together on top, then add some knots on the individual strips. As you go on, knot the strips together to create the space for your plants. This is a quick activity that does not only add some aesthetic pieces to your living room, but reuses old clothes that you already had at home. 

4. Reusable masks

While this hack might require a bit more sewing talent, it is still not too difficult to master. Even though we are through the tough part of the pandemic, we might still encounter situations when we want to wear masks. One thing we realized during these difficult times was that disposable masks create tons of plastic waste. That is why reusable masks are great. They are easy to wash, will last you a long time, and most importantly, you can easily make them at home too! So if you have always been looking at the nice masks but never actually got to buy some, here's your sign to make one yourself. All you need is an old t-shirt made out of soft fabric, and two pieces of elastics. Happy sewing!

5. Upcycle

You don't necessarily have to find new purposes for your old clothing. Upcycling clothes might require some practice, but learning some basic sewing skills will open the doors to lots of new opportunities. For example, if you find that a pair of jeans or a dress doesn't fit you the way it should, with a bit of creativity you can reimage it and create a piece that makes you feel beautiful. You can start by adding some elements to your tops, tie-dying pieces, or giving your old dress a new shape. The internet is full of upcycling ideas and sewing basics, and the information is at our fingertips.making it more available to everyone than ever before. Being able to upcycle means you won't have to throw clothes away ever again. It can also save you some money, as you can buy clothes in charity or second hand shops, and don't have to worry whether they will fit you. So if you have been looking to learn some new skills, sewing might just be it!