Old Curtains - what do you do with yours?

cornerstone13

Having just sorted out the loft - we've been here 30 years - I'd like to know what others do with their old curtains please.

I don't really want to cut them up, most are good quality and have plenty of life left in them.

I did try ebay and Freecycle but no takers.

Suggestions gratefully received

Thanks

choille

If they are done I use them as paint covers when I'm decorating. If they are still serviceable you could try & sell them or give them away to a charity shop.

jackieblack

If in good condition, charity shop

pollyanna_26

As you've offered them on Freecycle it seems you aren't focused on selling but finding somewhere they'll have a use . I would take them to a charity shop . I tend to support local charities such as our hospice shop or those involved helping those locally who are struggling .


Whether sold to raise funds or help someone leaving care or escaping violence ,homelessness or many situations when people need to start afresh they can help make a home .


You'll free up space and someone will benefit from your donations .
polly

trailingspouse

I've never lived in a house long enough for the curtains to get old...

Mr.Generous

They make great painting dust sheets to cover carpets and stuff. Otherwise donate them to a local landlord who will stick them up in a tenanted property!!

Ilona

People give me curtains, and I find them in skips. The best ones I keep for myself, the ok ones I donate to charity shops, and the not so fashionable/pretty ones I cut up and make into shopping bags. These I sell to make money for a cat charity, or I give them away.

ilona

LoveOurPlanet

All of the above suggestions are great! Try and reuse them if you can as dust covers or to protect anything in the loft from damp or the cold or make tote bags, pillows or other soft furnishings that you could use or sell.

If you don't want them in the house, then a charity shop is also a good idea as long as they're in good condition. This time of the year charity shops are inundated with items that they end up not being able to sell which then costs them money to dispose of so if you're not getting much luck selling them yourself, charity shops might not be able to do much better.

You could always put them in a textiles recycling, Recycle Now can tell you your local recycling facility and then they will be reused as oil rags, clothes or for stuffing.

Whatever you decide don't just throw them away into the bin

Caterina

Find out if your local council would accept them for homeless unit or refugees. Some people are moved into accommodation which is very basic and they would probably benefit from a donation of decent curtains. Also your local church might know of someone in need who might want them.

oldhaggis

At the charity shop where I volunteer any clean textile items which are unsuitable for sale because the are faded or worn are sold on to a rag man who comes once a week.
Check first with the shop if they accept clean rag and please pop a sticky label with "clean rag - curtains" written on it on the outside of the bag, as this will speed up sorting.
The only textile items charity shops cannot accept are old pillows and duvets which cannot be sold on and have to go to the local tip.

Misslayed

If they are old enough to be 'retro', ie from the 60s or 70s, try eBay, my sister has sold similar fabric to film and tv companies looking for set dressing.