Before You Toss Old Cloth Napkins, Try These 12 Creative Repurposing Ideas

You've already been turned onto the benefits of using cloth napkins over paper, but what do you do with the napkins that are no longer fit for service? Throwing them out feels, well, just not right. After all, fabric waste is a growing concern globally; the world's textile fiber production has doubled in the past roughly two decades, growing from an already astounding 58 million tonnes (2000) to 109 million tonnes (2020), per European Parliament.

You could, of course, attempt to extend their life by dyeing them with natural dyes or stitching embroidery patterns into them. But if you're bored of what you already have, that sort of minor transformation might not be enough to satisfy that craving for something new. There are all kinds of practical ways to upcycle old towels; cloth napkins are no exception. No-sew options include transforming them into gift wrapping, reusable bags, or even a headboard for your bed. Other ideas that require a few more craft skills, tools, and supplies include everything from beeswax wraps and lunch bags to curtains and other decor.

If you don't have any vintage hand-me-downs from your grandmother or a pile of well-loved cloth napkins ready to use, you can beg for or buy them. If you're committed to up-cycling principles, your first stop should be either your local Buy Nothing group or thrift stores.

If your cloth napkins are in good condition, use them to wrap gifts without using tape or string. Place the gift in the center of the napkin and roll it up, starting at the closest corner. Tie the ends using an overhand knot, tucking any remaining fabric underneath. This works best with square or rectangular items, though there are special folding techniques for everything from wine bottles to rotund candles. In Japan, a technique called furoshiki was once a way to keep your clothes safe when using public baths.

Struggling to find curtains to fit a small kitchen or bathroom window? Don't have the budget for bespoke options or a sewing machine? Outside of up-cycled cloth napkins, you'll need some drapery clip rings — like the 1.7-inch Ivilon Drapery Curtain Clip Rings — and a tension rod. Simply concertina-fold your napkins (like an accordion), clip the rings to the folds to create a drapery effect, and hang the curtains over your tension rod. Mount the tension rod inside the window frame and stand back to admire your clever crafting!

Cloth napkins are the perfect size for making cute doll clothes and accessories for a vintage doll collection or doll house inhabitants. You don't even need a sewing machine. Craft teeny tiny dresses in an array of styles or accent pillows and bedspreads with some sharp fabric scissors and a glue gun or a needle and thread. Or, if you're good at origami, follow YouTuber Lakshmi Bindu's tutorial for creating a complete, ready-to-play-with rabbit plushie made from a single folded cloth napkin.

Beeswax wraps aren't just for food. You can use them to cover beauty products, open stubborn jar lids, keep bouquets fresh, or wrap gifts. Old beeswax wraps become fire starters, plant ties, or seed pots. Make your own beeswax wraps at home with this simple DIY using natural fiber cloth napkins. Melt some beeswax pellets in a saucepan, gently (using tongs) place your napkin into it, and stir to coat. Hang or lay flat the wrap — again, handling it with tongs — until the wax has cooled and solidified.

There's nothing wrong with a brown paper bag, but a lunch packed into a cute fabric carry bag is pretty special. With the help of your sewing machine, you can transform a few old cloth napkins and some leftover ribbon into a lunch bag that you'll be happy to carry around. Similarly, leave off the drawstring, and you have a fabric basket, perfect for storing makeup, stationery, or craft supplies. Both projects look especially great if you have patterned fabric on the outside and plain fabric inside.

Is your stash of reusable bags causing clutter? Learn how to fold a cloth napkin into a carry bag to save storage space. Lay your napkin flat on a table and pop an item in the closest corner. Roll the napkin away from you, and then, after checking that your item is still securely in the middle, tie the loose ends in a knot. It's also great for keeping small items in your home — think Legos, jewelry, or clothes pegs — together in a drawer or cupboard.

You'll need twelve equal-sized cloth napkins for this DIY — six in one color and six in another — for a checkerboard. Alternatively, channel your inner wild child and combine mismatched prints with solid napkins. Or go minimalist with neutral, natural tones. You'll also need something to stick them to the wall — we like these XIHIRCD Matte Push Pins for $9. Double-sided tape or regular small nails would also work. Then, just tack the napkins onto the wall above the head of your bed, working your way from bottom to top.

Arguably, one of the most important things to consider before reupholstering vintage furniture — or contemporary furniture, for that matter — is the fabric. A cloth napkin is about the same size as the seat of many dining chairs. As with other projects, iron your napkins to get the creases out, then lay them over the removed seat of your chairs, stapling them to the back with your upholstery stapler. If you have excess fabric, cut it off and frame it to create coordinated wall art.

Fridges are arguably the most-touched fixture in any kitchen. No matter how many times you wipe them, they just don't seem to get clean. Tackle the problem by crafting a fridge handle cover from old cloth napkins. You just need to know how to sew by hand. Cut a couple of differently patterned napkins in half and stitch them into a tube-like cover. If you have a lot of cloth napkins to upcycle, make a few covers so you can wash and replace them right away.

The simplest way to transform an old cloth napkin into a cleaning rag is to add them to your cleaning supply caddy as is. They're already hemmed, so they're unlikely to fray. Chuck them in the washing machine when they get dirty. If you want to demarcate them in some way so others in your household know they're now rags, grab a pair of pinking shears and trim all the edges with a zigzag pattern. Run a stitch around the inside of the edge if you're worried about fraying.

Christmas fireplace decor isn't complete without stockings hanging from the mantle. If you're on a budget and handy with a sewing machine, you can up-cycle some retired or thrifted cloth napkins into stockings waiting for fillers and treats. While any colors or patterns will do, if you can, try to find tartan, festive patterned, or solid red, green, or white napkins for ultimate Yuletide vibes. You can also mix and match napkins with other scrap fabric you have lying around — using, for example, the napkin for just the cuff of the stocking.

Instead of sewing the napkins together to create the pocket for a pillow or cushion form, you can glue them using fabric glue. Use paper clips to hold the final edge closed while the glue dries. Alternatively, sew them together. Turn the napkins inside out before stitching them together, and think about the closure — envelope style, velcro, or zip. Add a personal touch by decorating the napkins with stencils and fabric paint or filling the pillow with lavender or another dried herb of your choice.