Good sleep quality is always prioritized in people's daily life; that's why comforters are one of the most paid attention to interiors. Your current comforter is getting down, signaling a replacement. But have you known what to do with old comforters yet?
We suggest some solutions that are both meaningful and economical. You can also find some useful pieces of information in the FAQ session. First of all, let's see some symptoms of noticing comforter replacement.
How To Know That Your Comforter Is Old (But Reusable)?
The comforter has a long average lifespan. Manufacturers often claim that a qualified duvet can serve you perfectly for at least 6-7 years.
However, due to frequent family use, the blanket's lifespan is somewhat limited, below the recommended expiration date. If you observe and start to notice the following signs, you should get a new one.
Your Duvet is Yellowed
The appearance of the bedding is the most recognizable mark, especially for a white duvet covers. Yellow or light brown streaks appear and spread into large patches.
Notably, you cannot remove these common stains completely despite applying cleaning or drying methods. This is caused by the long-lasting accumulation of dirt and moisture around.
Seemingly harmless, but they can cause unsanitary to your skin. With colored comforters, you can observe that the color becomes darker over time.
Moldy Odor
Do you smell mold in your bedroom these days? If you've checked all the nooks or crannies and found nothing abnormal, please think about your worn-down comforter.
Scent can be the result of sweat and stains stuck on the body. It appears intermittent and even indistinct. Odors can attract dirty insects or other yeasts to multiply and thrive, degrading the air quality in the bedroom.
So, noticing a bad smell, you should invest in a new blanket as soon as possible.
Clumped Feathers And Ruffled Cover
You can feel that the comforter's texture is noticeably worse due to the serious clumps of feathers or fillings and ruffled cover. Both symptoms make the blanket heavy and rough, losing comfortability in your me-time.
So what to do with a comforter set when it is deteriorated? The answer is right below!
What To Do With Old Comforters?
After purchasing a new one, what can I make with an old comforter? Several customers shared that they do not want to throw it in the trash bin for many reasons.
However, the interior space also does not allow them to store a big-size item like a bulky comforter. Why don't you donate it? Otherwise, you can think of another economical way: recycle and repurpose it for other purposes.
Donate It
If you find the worn-out comforter unsuitable for you, you can offer it to other poorer people, especially homeless people or families damaged by natural disasters, to reuse it. You can donate it to the American Textile Recycling Service or any drop-off location.
As you know, every year, thousands of people face natural disasters such as storms and floods. They suddenly fall into poverty or lose property. Therefore, you can lend them a hand in difficult times by donating old but usable items.
Blankets are desired stuff because of their considerable versatility. Remarkably, please bear in mind to put it in the washing machine and deodorize blankets before donating.
Recycle It
The old size-down comforter somehow means a lot to you, so you still aim to keep it by your side. What do I do with an old down comforter?
Fortunately, thanks to its significant flexibility and applicability, you can be creative and transform it into different use-oriented items.
Doormats or mops
This is the most popular fabric recycling idea in household textiles. You can cut out the moldy or yellowed parts and resize them to a moderately standard size. The down feathers in the bedroom comforters are quite absorbent, facilitating your cleaning procedure.
Mattress pads or stuffs for pets
Why don't you use your old mattress pads for your pets? You can create old blankets into a lovely bed or put them as a mat in wooden houses. Surely your "kids" will love this cozy nest, especially in winter.
In addition, pets also love gnawing around objects. Now you know what to do with a ripped comforter. If you have a time budget, you can also make some toys for them. You can cut, sew fabric scraps and roll them into balls to play with.
Cover gardens and livestock
You can consider this idea if you are a farmer or a gardener. Cold weather can easily hurt your livestock and garden seriously. It is when old blankets come into play.
They will help warm up plants and become animal shelters on cold days. Or else, You can also cut the comforter or duvet cover into smaller pieces, then roll it up tightly and insert it in the garden during the rainy season. This way helps plants avoid injuries after disasters.
Where To Donate Your Old Comforter
Local Orphanages And Nursing Homes
You can search for nearby orphanages and nursing homes to donate old size-down comforters or even pillows and pillowcases directly. These two types of charity houses are always eager for outside aid, making your contribution meaningful.
This option of giving is highly appreciated because it can deliver stuff to the right people, avoiding unwanted fraud cases.
Charity Organization
You can contact charities or emergency shelters if you want to donate to more remote areas or shelters in disaster areas where people treasure even a tattered comforter.
It is important to choose reputable organizations, and then, they can hold some large-scale activities to deliver donated items. This way, you can save time and effort on shipping.
Secondhand Market
Why don't you sell it to the secondhand market and collect a small amount of money? As far as we know, the secondhand market always attracts expats, immigrants, or international students.
They are rarely supported with free items and often look to buy reasonably priced interiors. What could be better than if they could find a blanket of decent quality at an affordable price?
However, some reputable second-hand markets will set a specific standard. Sellers have the right to refuse if your comforter or duvet cover seriously gets down. For those still in decent shape, they might also craft them for more value.
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FAQs
Should I Throw Away The Old Down Comforter?
You are advised not to use a worn-out comforter and duvet cover to avoid hygiene hazards. However, do not confuse this with throwing it away. Comforter has a large size, thick and heavy material (feathers+coverings).
The disposal will increase the amount of waste and make it more difficult to handle. Instead, you can send it to recycling centers so that the comforter can continue its new usage cycle, reducing the footprint on the environment.
Can You Put A Comforter In The Recycle Bin?
You can freely drop the old comforter into the recycle drawer of the drop-off bins. You are even encouraged to do so because textiles are the most recyclable and reusable items. Moreover, the comforter also has a large size, so the applicability for other uses is very potential.
When Should You Get Rid Of A Comforter?
Comforters often wear out earlier than expected shelf life, so you can consider replacement after 10 years of average usage. Many high-end comforters can last for another 5 years.
After an average of 15 years, comforters often begin to show irreversible signs. Let them go to the landfill and replace a new one that time!
Conclusion
Now you know what to do with old comforters. This interior needs not only proper care during use but also needs suitable disposal later on. Both donation and recycling are appreciated for their meaning, optimization, and positive impact on the environment.
If the comforter still maintains a minimum or medium level of quality, you can donate to those in need. Otherwise, you should let the old comforter begin its new life through specialized recycling.