DON'T THROW IT AWAY: Suggestions on recycling vintage, or  REALLY OLD organic bedding
(courtesy of our friends at Holy Lamb Organics)

Organic bedding and clothing are produced in much the same way, from the same quality organic fibers, as old fashioned pieces that often command top dollar today, regardless of wear.  In fact, the following suggestions are perfect for vintage fabrics that are beginning to wear and disintegrate after many, many decades of use, such as early clothing and linens (organic because fabrics before WWII were not treated with chemical toxins!).

As children of a disposable culture, we need to modify our our mindset about the natural fibers in our lives, and think about how we relate to the ecosystems on our fragile planet.  In that regard, the Amish and Mennonite cultures have it right.  Waste nothing, and respect the earth.

We encourage you to recycle these earth-born fabrics, instead of throwing them away in burgeoning landfills.

First understand that organic cotton and wool products are valuable resources, and hot commodities. Great time, energy and patience are invested to grow and produce organic fibers.  True organic fabrics will remain part of your family's lives for a very long time.  Remember none of us is immortal...sturdy chemical free fabrics should always be saved.  Don't forget to tell the children how precious natural fabrics are, and how preserving the best of Nature will preserve their futures!

Below are great suggestions for reusing or recycling vintage organic fabrics.  Please email us if you have a great suggestion.

Here's a superb idea recycling idea offered by Cary Daly:

"If you don't have a pet of your own, I've recently discovered that animal hospitals and animal shelters use blankets, towels, and sheets as bedding. This is a great way to recycle old fabric that you can't donate to a homeless shelter because it has been well used. Plus, most animal shelters can't afford to buy comfort items, like cozy bedding, for the poor, scared pets."

That's the finest kind of recycling imaginable! Thanks, Cary!

For Fabric Products (e.g., sheets, pillow cases, duvet covers....)

- Cut it into scrap pieces and incorporate into a patchwork quilt.

- Make curtains.

- Shred it and throw it into your compost.

- For Halloween, use tired old organic cotton and wool fabrics to make a costume. Experiment with natural dyes in fun colors.  Vintage organic fabrics are precious, and none of us is immortal...save those costumes for future use.

For Wool & Fabric Products (e.g., old woolen clothing, comforters, pillows)

Pet Beds:  Pass on well loved bedding to your beloved pet. Cats and dogs are very attracted to wool bedding, and intuitively sense the natural fibers to be a perfect place to rest. If you have a comforter or mattress top, fold it in half and then in half again then sew up the edges. This will make a perfect dog bed. For a pillow, do nothing; it will make a nicely sized bed for a cat or small dog (if you can find a shallow natural basket base, even better!).

Organic Garden Beds.  Is there an area in your landscape where you need to start over?  Many people use black plastic or a landscape "fabric" mesh to put on top of problematic weeds.  Instead of putting plastics in the ground that will eventually pollute your landscape, try laying down a threadbare comforter or mattress top, then cover with good rich composted material.

You can even create a whole new bed where there used to be grass (this method is especially appropriate around trees, where digging out the grass could severely damage lateral tree roots):  Cut the comforter to the shape of the area to be covered. Lay down the comforter.  Then cover this area with 6-12" of a good top soil or compost mix.  Mulch and water well.

For planting in the new bed (before final mulching and watering) measure a safe distance from young tree roots; dig appropriate holes for selected plants and flowers.  Lay over the old blanket or comforter and cut X shapes into the fabric large enough for plant roots.  Pull back and plant as directed, recovering plant base with the cut fabric.  Again, cover the area with 6-12" of good top soil or compost mix; mulch and water well.  Smaller perennials and annuals especially, will have excellent organic material to help establish new roots.  As the fabric breaks down the composted material will go deeper as the new garden bed matures. The result:  a deep, rich base of organically composted soil.





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