Old Pillows

Animal charities like hedgehog/cat/ shelters and places like that local to you.

Apparently Dunhelms also take old quilts and maybe pillows so may be worth asking them if you have one local?

If they could be washed rehoming charities are often grateful for clean bedding. There are overnight shelters in many towns, in Stoke there is the Macari centre.

If they are down/feather pillows, the contents make great compost material. Someone with a compost bin or allotment might be happy to take them.

Here’s what I did with mine…two cheap cotton pillowcases from Dunelm stitched together across the short closed end, easily removed for washing.

Pantglass2, that’s a great idea which I will copy, thank you.

The recyclers took mine. One at a time though.

I needed a couple of extra pillows when I had my knees replaced at different times.

I have kept 2-3 because my hips will be next on the list.

Try vet surgeries.

I just used to chuck them all up into the loft as extra insulation. When I moved house, the removal guy found about 50 pillows up there! He came down covered in feathers!

Pantglass.... Thank you for your garden bench cushion idea.
I'm moving house soon. At the end of the garden in my, soon to be home, there's an arbour seat.
Now, as it happens, I have two perfectly good pillows, surplus to requirements. Guess what I will be making with them.

I take my clean, unwanted bedding to my local Cats Protection centre. Also my old towels.

Dempie55.

That’s a good idea for insulation in the loft.
Do you think it made any difference to your heating.?

I’ve used the stuffing from old (washed) pillows and cushions to stuff cuddlies for my grandchildren and stuffing for draft excluders and door stops, but as others have said animal rescue centres would be grateful to receive it (though do check with them first)

On the subject of pillows does anyone know how to wash them? Labels say machine wash but the filling end up really twisted when I do them even on a low speed short spin?

What a great idea!

I have taken duvets and pillows to my local dog rescue centre in the past but when I enquired again recently they said they now use special mats for safety reasons. Same applied to the cats rescue too.

You can take any unwanted bedding to Dunelm, they have a large box by the door

Pixie99 thank you for the information regarding Dunelm. That's very useful to know.

Mine go exactly the same ..So now i just buy the feather ones and they take longer to dry but after a few good shakes they're back to normal..

Make into cushions as per panglas's suggestion, unless of course the feather themselves have deteriorated beyond use. Its quite a hassle to transfer the feathers, but probably better than squishing pillow up, tho if the cushion covers are of thick material when its OK if you do it carefully.

You can buy some great cushion covers online for this, you dont have to sew them yourself although that makes for a great £££ saver and even gifts.

I just throw them in the bin

No, please dont, it's a shame to waste anything if possible. Climate concerns and simple basics - in times gone, something was always reused.

I googled it for you and here we go. I have highlighted new ideas we didnt know about and why we should not put them in the dustbin

Household Waste Recycling Centres: Your nearest HWRC accepts pillows and duvets, which are processed as general waste for landfill or incineration. You can find centres in by googling your local authority.
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Retailer schemes: The homeware chain Dunelm has a "Textile Take Back Scheme" that accepts old duvets and pillows for recycling. You can take your items to a participating store, where they are collected in a recycling box for re-use or recycling

No kerbside recycling Pillows cannot be put in your household recycling bin. This is often due to hygiene concerns and because they are commonly treated with fire-retardant chemicals that make them difficult to process

Animal shelters: Some animal charities and rescue centres may accept old pillows for animal bedding, but you should call ahead to confirm before dropping them off. Many shelters now have specific hygiene requirements and may not accept used bedding.

Homeless shelters: A few homeless charities might accept pillows, but they must be clean and in good, reusable condition. Always contact them first to confirm their current needs and acceptance policies.

Upcycling: If you are a keen DIYer, consider reusing the filling from an old pillow for a craft project.

The stuffing can be used for things like floor cushions, draft excluders, or stuffing for other smaller craft items.

If you have a feather or down pillow, the filling can be composted as a natural material.