Not all old clothing qualifies as vintage. True vintage clothing captures the unique qualities of its era. It has a look that pins it to a particular point in time.

Much of the old clothing we accumulate has lost its usefulness. It may be too worn, or unflattering, and seem to lack any redeemable qualities.

Here is a list of suggestions for things to do with your old "non-vintage" clothing. Feel free to comment and add your own ideas!

1. Rag rugs.

2. Dust rags for around house, oil rags for garage (t-shirts especially good for this)

3. Make a book bag.

4. Donate to a homeless shelter.

5. Cut up old shirts to make cloth napkins. Put two pieces together and then hem around the outside. Flannel shirts are likely to fray badly.

6. Recycle into quilts, pillows (as well as the batting and backing).

7. Make mattresses for pets. Use old mattress pads/blankets or rags for the batting (insides), and fill with layers of rags (preferably with zippers and buttons already removed) or use pieced fabric or sheets for the backing. Tack with needle and thread at 3 or 4 spots near the middle of the "sandwich" to keep the innards from shifting as the animal chews it.

8. Your local animal shelter/adoption shelter can always use kitty cushions or puppy pads (see #7). Since animal control is always picking up sickly animals, these small cushions are good to put inside the cages for padding. When a dog or cat is sick on it, it can just be thrown away.

9. Old thread-bare towels might work for batting.

10. Make a rag bag.

11. Make old shirts and pants into bags with handles.

12. Make feminine products (panty liners, etc), and handkerchiefs.

13. Use old nylons for pillow stuffing.

14. Make utility quilts for general uses (nothing fancy, but well used).

15. Charity shops can sell rags to rag merchants - you might need to call the shop, or their head office, to ask what sort of rags they (the charity) will accept. The clothing that Goodwill deems not suitable for resale is cut up into industrial rags and sold to companies that use them and what isn't usable for that purpose is shredded and made into insulation-- look in the trunk of your car and you'll see fiber insulation made of shredded fabric. Some are recycled into padded mailing envelopes. Natural fabrics are easier and more profitable to sell for recycling purposes – i.e. cotton and wool. The March of Dimes sells old clothing for recycling the cloth, buttons, and zippers.

16. You can use the trouser legs (especially knitted track suit fabrics) to make quick draught stoppers for doors. Stuff them with rolled clothes. You can even tie the ends with elastic bands! If you want them to look more upscale you can cover with fabric that matches your decor.

17. Patch favorite jeans with scraps from ratty ones.

18. Rags for furniture stripping projects.

19. Make quilts for the homeless people in your town.

20. Make a potholder. Stuff it with other rags and zigzag a few lines through it.

21. Recover chair cushions.

22. Make an apron.

23. Make an ironing board cover.

24. Tie up tomato plants or other climbing plants.

25. Sweatshirts and pants with fleecy inside lining make great dust cloths.

26. Reuse elastic waistbands to replace ones that are worn.

27. Recycle elastic waistbands for headbands.

28. Use waistbands to hold the corners of mattress pads to keep them on the bed.

29. Save pockets to place into clothing that doesn’t have pockets.

30. Turn a skirt into a bathroom curtain.

31. Use old tube socks to remove polish from fingernails. Cut them in to small squares.

These ideas may not work for everyone, or maybe they'll spark a few ideas of your own. If you found this guide helpful, please remember to vote below.