Repurposed Dust and Cleaning Mittens from a T-Shirt
Creator: Keith Foster
After noticing that using paper towels and hand towels often left residue and lint behind when cleaning mirrors, I decided to repurpose my old T-shirt into dust and cleaning mittens. I chose to do this for several reasons.
Using an old T-shirt for cleaning is a smart move because it gives the shirt a new purpose instead of throwing it away, which is good for the environment. It also helps save money since there's no need to buy disposable wipes or cloths. T-shirts, being made of cotton, are soft and great at soaking up dust, leaving surfaces clean without leaving behind fluff like some paper towels or synthetic cloths might.
Additionally, you can wash and reuse them multiple times, which is beneficial for the planet. And if you're sensitive to cleaning products, using just water with an old T-shirt is a safe and gentle option.
Repurpose a T-Shirt to a Cleaning and Dusting Mitten
MATERIAL
T-Shirt or Cloth
Thread
Equipment
Fabric Scissors
Sewing Machine or Sewing Kit
Five Simple Steps
Decide on your mitten template: Start by choosing the size and shape of your mitten template. To create mine, I looked at a microfiber dust mitten I found on Amazon. This served as a helpful reference point to determine the dimensions and overall design I wanted for my homemade mitten. After carefully examining the shape and size of the microfiber mitten, I created a template using cardboard or paper. This template will guide you when cutting the T-shirt fabric.
Cut around the template design: Once you have your template ready, place it on top of the T-shirt fabric. Ensure that the fabric is spread out evenly and flat to avoid any uneven cuts. Then, carefully trace around the template with a fabric marker or chalk, making sure to follow the outline closely. Take your time to cut along the traced lines precisely, maintaining the shape and size of the template as accurately as possible.
Sew a ½ inch seam around the design: After cutting out the fabric pieces according to the template, it's time to sew them together. With the right sides of the fabric facing each other, align the edges of the fabric pieces and pin them in place to secure them. Then, using a sewing machine or needle and thread, stitch along the traced outline of the mitten template, leaving a seam allowance of about ½ inch. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam to secure it.
Trim or fray the edges of the mitten: Once you've sewn around the design, carefully trim any excess fabric along the edges of the mitten. This step helps to remove bulkiness and ensures that the mitten's edges are neat and uniform. Take care not to cut into the seam you've just sewn, as this may cause the fabric to fray or come apart.
Turn the mitten inside out: After trimming the edges, gently turn the mitten inside out through the opening left in the seam. Use a pencil or chopstick to carefully push out the corners and smooth out the edges. Once fully turned inside out, inspect the mitten to ensure that it is properly shaped and there are no visible imperfections. Your homemade mitten is now ready to be used for dusting and cleaning tasks around the house.
Repurposing old T-shirts into dust and cleaning mittens is a practical and eco-friendly solution for household cleaning tasks. By following these simple steps to create custom mittens from reuse materials, you can effectively clean your home while reducing waste and saving money.