Have you ever wondered what to do with your once beloved t-shirts that are now gathering dust in the depths of your closet? Upcycling them into reusable pads for makeup removing is a fun and creative way to give them a new life, while also eliminating unnecessary waste. These simple, but effective pads are the perfect gift for any fellow eco-conscious warrior and a great addition to anyone’s self-care routine. 

All you need is: 

• An old t-shirt/leftover fabric

• A cutter shape 

• Scissors

• Needle and thread

STEP ONE 

First, create a circular template for the size that you would like your pads to be. Then cut around the template, giving you the circles to be stacked (three circles per pad). You will notice that you are left with a wave like pattern as you cut out the circles – keep this aside for making a card later on (if to be given as a gift). 

STEP TWO 

Once you have cut your circles out, place three on top of each other. Then, stitch the circles together using either a needle and thread or with a sewing machine to secure the fabric. Afterwards, cut off any parts that overlap and sew another stitch around the exterior to give them a sturdy frame.

STEP THREE 

Now you have finished the pads. If not for personal use, you can put them together in packs and tie with hessian string to give as a hand-made present. Taking it a step further, add in a pot of coconut oil and you have the perfect sustainable makeup remover kit. After each use, the pads can be washed in the washing machine (or better yet, hand washed and dried) and then are ready to be used again and again!

STEP FOUR: THE CARD

Now to use the wave like pattern that was left over after cutting out the circles. This can be used to create a sea themed birthday card by sticking the wave cutout fabric onto a card and painting/drawing a boat or other sea themed imagery. Don’t be afraid to get innovative with the leftover fabric. If not for a gift, you can design your own piece of artwork!

This creative project allows a once loved t-shirt/clothing item to be re-loved with a new purpose. Upcycling allows you to be crafty, resourceful and ultimately, more sustainable, as old is the new new. So next time you’re doing a clear out, think about how your items can be reused in a unique, yet simple way.

Photographs courtesy of Melisa Gooding