How To Transform An Old Pillowcase Into A DIY Laundry Bag

Dec 17, 2023

If you have an old pillowcase lying around that you never seem to use, consider repurposing it into something more functional rather than simply stowing it in the back of your linen closet. Thanks to their super-simple design, there are several clever DIY ways to repurpose unwanted pillowcases once they've reached the end of their life as part of your bedding set. From a makeshift storage bag to a more sustainable approach to protecting plates when moving, the possibilities for innovation are limitless. Combined with a simple embroidery hoop, they can also be used as a convenient hamper to hang on the wall of your laundry room or kid's bedroom.

Typical laundry hampers usually cost $10 to $50 when bought new. But if you need something simple to keep your dirty clothes in one place, especially if you already have a go-to hamper in your closet, the extra expense and the large amount of space they take up can be inconvenient. With this hack, however, you only need your old pillowcase, a $3 embroidery hoop, and a pin to secure it to your wall.

To create your hanging hamper, all you need is your hoop and pillowcase. Simply flip the pillowcase inside out, then thread the fabric at the opening through the hoop. Screw down the outer ring to tighten it, and once it's secure, flip the pillowcase right side out through the hole for a seamless finish. This structure around the opening makes it easier to quickly drop off dirty laundry, more convenient to hang on your wall, and more finished-looking and intentional than a simple pinned piece of fabric.

When picking out an embroidery hoop, look for a larger ring like this 10-inch Round Bamboo Embroidery Hoop from Michaels that fits the opening of your pillowcase to avoid having to deal with wrinkly fabric when you thread it through. You can also choose a larger pillowcase, like a king-size if you need something with more storage space. However, a regular-sized pillowcase can still hold a relatively large amount of clothing, especially if you use it primarily for kid's clothes or socks and underwear.

This hack is fairly simple and doesn't demand you to damage your embroidery hoop or pillowcase, meaning it's easily reversible. Still, if you were planning to make this a bit more permanent and polished, you could install a grommet on a bit of the pillowcase fabric you pulled through for easy hanging on a hook, pin, or nail. Otherwise, it does require you to pierce the fabric with a pin if you want to hang it on your wall, but this shouldn't damage your typical microfiber or cotton sheets, thanks to their relative stiffness and sturdy weave.

However, the weight of your laundry could cause issues with running or holes if you're using a satin or jersey pillowcase. Either swap your pillowcase fabric selection or repair any holes you face to combat this. Jersey fabrics can be reinforced with a simple stitch or iron-on interfacing, while snags and holes in satin are best repaired with a patch or by pulling the thread back to its original weave.