New Uses for Old Diapers

**forHISglory** · 04-26-2009, 05:05 PM

Now that I have your attention, I mean cloth diapers, and clean diapers!

I used cloth diapers on my child, who is now in his 30s. So my old diapers are old! But I have used them over the years as dust cloths, window washing cloths (that didn't work too well: fibers), car washing cloths, etc. I wrap them around my swiffer and use to scrub floors. Hubby has used some in the shop as rags for cleaning brushes or cleaning his hands.

So as you see, I recycle them mainly as cleaning tools. What other ways can you reuse old clean cloth diapers?

**ahmom** · 04-27-2009, 07:01 PM

I use them as kleenex. I have sinus and allergy trouble. A soft cloth diapers is way easier on my nose.

**Palooka** · 04-28-2009, 01:42 AM

Just wanted to say great idea about the swiffer. I never thought of that!

I was just thinking about this the other day with my sons old "burp rags" that are like cloth diapers.

If you like to paint or do any home remodling, we use the cloths for cleaning up mistakes we made with the paint. They sure do save on over usage of paper towels.

**2ndGenGranola** · 04-28-2009, 03:18 AM

I use a vapor steamer and put them on the floor attachment instead of the flimsy cloth that came with it.

**forHISglory** · 04-28-2009, 10:15 AM

I had another thought on this, but I've not tried it. Could they be put down as mulch in a garden? Would they harm the soil? Or would they disintegrate too quickly?

**frugalfranny** · 05-30-2009, 12:30 PM

Okay...I am envious....I don't have any 'old diapers' and you can't even find them in thrift shops around here as I figure if they do come in they probably toss them.....or too stained..or wrap them in those big bundles of cotton that go to some 'foreign land'........DARN! Sometimes a T-shirt just won't hack it and you have to have a diaper.

Not sure about the mulch in the garden thing though.....will be interesting to see if anyone has done this. I have been out of the 'diaper business' for a few years.......do they disintegrate that fast? I use my shredded paper though......only for plants that like water.....but I have really rocky soil so saves on the water bill.

**HandyMom** · 05-31-2009, 12:10 AM

I imagine they would be a perfect material for home made cloth pads but you might not want to use them for that personally.

**khaski** · 05-31-2009, 06:08 PM

They're the perfect size to wipe off those muddy doggie feet when they come in on rainy/snowy days!

**monkeywrangler71** · 05-31-2009, 08:49 PM

I use them for cleaning just about everything, wiped up vomit with one about 10 minutes ago :p Mine are super absorbent (Chinese prefolds 8 layers thick in the middle), so they are especially useful in situatons involving large amounts of water - kids splashing in the tub, flooded basement, overflowing toilet, etc.

I use them as change pads when I can't find the real pad (1 diaper a day now, so using disposables)
I've throw them down on floors I wanted to keep clean or were still wet, to make a path.
I've used them as towels, bibs, hankies, napkins, pretty much anything that involves wiping. I also **TMI warning** use them as giant pads for myself when I have a bad cough that makes me constantly wet myself.

I think I have about 50 diapers, so they get used everywhere.