Recycle Upcycle Reuse Repurpose | Don’t Toss It Out

Recycle upcycle reuse repurpose aren’t just buzzwords. We toss out things everyday that we can use if we just look at the item in a different way.

Don’t toss stuff in that thrift store donation bag until you are sure you have no use for it. Since starting my new career in junkin’ (okay, maybe it’s more like a hobby) I’ve bought things similar to ones I’ve given away in the past.

And then I’ve made new fun things out of my purchases. I could have saved money by saving my old stuff. Off the top of my head I thought of 17 things I shouldn’t have stuffed in the thrift store donation bag.

These easy recycle/restyle projects don’t require any power tools or any fancy shcmancy stuff either.

This is the list of tools you would need to do everyone of the projects; scissors, screwdriver, paint, paint brush, hammer, good all-purpose adhesive/glue, heavy duty stapler. Now, that wasn’t what you expected was it?

I bet you have access to all or most of those things. When reading through the list of items not to toss just click the pink text or the photo for the full project tutorial.

17 Things Not To Toss In The Thrift Store Donation Bag

1. Pillowcases and Sheets

just click any of the pink text links to view the projects in full

The chair seat above is covered with a vintage pillowcase. The pillowcase is just one of many things I’ve fell in love with over the years at the thrift store and just had to have. The vintage design and the colors make me swoon.

Removing a chair seat and recovering it is the easiest furniture makeover with the biggest impact. I always say that, because it’s true. The bedroom furniture was a custom job for one of my customers.

2. Thermoses and Lunch Boxes

It’s almost time for Christmas decorating and this is our fireplace hearth and mantel décor from last year. I have to admit when I pulled up the project and looked at the pictures I was patting myself on the back. I did a good job! See those thermoses with the red lids/cups? They add the perfect touch.

Holiday décor doesn’t have to be “holiday”. Mix in items you have on hand and save on your decorating budget. Start with a color scheme when decorating and shop your house for the good stuff.

3. Cloth Calendars, Chenille Bedspreads, and Fabric Scraps

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The fabric garland is made from pieces of a vintage cloth calendar, chenille bedspread, burlap, and shabby lace curtains. The pieces are tied to jute. This is the kind of project that requires no special skill and is a stress reliever for me.

Garlands can be made out of almost anything. Have you got some old clothes, old sheets, junky towels…..cut them up. There are many places you can hang the garlands too. Try hanging on a china hutch, foot board, mantel, or just the wall. Choose a color theme and get to work.

4. Empty Jars, Bottles, and Glassware

I’m still guilty of tossing out empty jars and bottles. They’re great for displaying seashells, marbles, old keys, etc. Even odd shaped drinking glasses make great display items.

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Pretty jars and glasses make great holders or storage for craft supplies like buttons, ribbon, small junk treasures, etc.

5. Curtains

What can you say about used curtains. Think of all that material going to waste. I’ve covered many chair seats with old curtains.

This vanity stool was a mess but paint and fabric gave it new life. The easiest makeovers with the most impact are chairs or stools with fabric seats.

6. Rubber Boots

The designs on rubber boots or waders (I was raised in the country) are so fun now. I use boots as flower vases  when I’m not wearing them. Just don’t add water, faux flowers only.

One way to display real flowers is to find a vase that will fit into the boots and add your water and fresh flowers. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

7. Skirts

Yes, this seat cover was a skirt. I bought the skirt at the thrift store because I liked the fabric. It looks like a throwback to the hippie days. Speaking my language. You can see I do a lot of chair makeovers and re-covering of seats.

Trust me when I say “You need to try this”. All you need is paint and fabric. Use spray paint for the chairs. So much easier and faster than brush painting.

8. Scarves

I should be ashamed of myself for calling this a project. Tie any scarf around a grapevine wreath and you have a statement piece….plus, you can change it with the seasons.

Try tying a Christmas themed table runner to a grapevine wreath or maybe a large colorful dish towel.

9. Belts

I really enjoyed making the boxes. Well, the boxes were made but I painted them all using special techniques for different looks then added the belt handles. Belts are also good for wreath hangers and woven chair seats.

10. Picture Frames

We’ve all seen empty picture frames hanging on walls. You can also hang or sit them on the mantel. I like using vintage frames as backdrops for funky items.

Tie a wreath to a picture frame for a different take on wreaths.

11. Jewelry

Jewelry can be used for all kinds of things. I especially love recycling vintage jewelry. Magnets are simple to make. Just get a good adhesive like E6000 or DAP and glue an earring or bead to a magnet.

Wrap mason jars or recycled bottles with burlap or pieces of fabric and add bits of jewelry for sparkle. Hot glue jewelry to tote bags or purses. The ideas are endless.

12. Purses

Again, another super easy project. All I did here was add a faux flower bush to the denim bag and seed packets in the purse pockets. As you can see I don’t always modify the item and it can be used again in a different way or changed with the seasons.

13. and 14. Metal Pans and Wood Candleholders

Another statement piece. Glue a wood candlestick to a metal cake pan. Done. Top a candle holder with a mason jar or a small china plate. Use a pie pan as wall decor. Paint it and add a few air plants.

15. and 16. Shirts and Furniture

I haven’t mentioned it until now, but you guys know……furniture. Don’t give furniture away. Paint it, stain it, decoupage it, keep it. The seat cover here is a shirt I outgrew. Loved the design and colors so I put it in my fabric stash. Came in handy.

17. Curtain Tiebacks

The apron is hanging on a curtain tieback. The painted and stenciled sign needed something else and the tieback was perfect.

What have you recycled and reinvented? I know there are a bunch of things I’ve left out. Did I give you any ideas? Share some of your ideas with me!

You can donate your items to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or local thrift stores. There is nothing wrong with that. But think about how you can repurpose an item before donating it. Money saver!

Download the pdf below…..

17 Things Not To Toss In The Thrift Store Donation Bag

You guys have a great day and I’ll see you tomorrow…..or the next day! Kathy