Uses for an old Down Comforter

[Chickenlady]

Hey all you creative DIS people! I have a king size down comforter that is about 30 years old. The fabric itself has started to fall apart, it's cracking and spliting and can't be patched. Anyone have any ideas what I can do with it? I've ordered a new one but hate throwing things out. I was thinking about cutting it open and saving the down, but for what? It also sounds really messy. Any help recycling would be appreciated.

 

[Jex]

I use mine as a parachute and jump off the roof.

 

[shortbun]

get a new cover and sew it onto the old comforter.

 

[denisem]

Pillows.

If you have access to a sewing machine, get a tightly woven fabric, sew & stuff. If not, get high thread count pillowcases, stuff & seal the open side of the cases with a bondable fusing web (Stitch-Witchery is one brand). An alternative would be to stuff pillowcase covers with zip closures.

 

[Disney Doll]

I use old comforters to cover things I am storing that I don't want to get damaged.

 

[deegack]

Donate to an animal shelter

 

[crazyme5kids]

Buy a new cover or make one. Don't donate it to an animal shelter. They really don't like stuffed type blankets because some dogs chew on the blankets, which can pose health and safety issues. I'm not sure about cat shelters though, they might take it, but if it is very worn it might prove problematic for them as well.

 

[bellanotte10]

I use old comforters to cover things I am storing that I don't want to get damaged.

this! I do this with my old one.

and if its falling apart an animal shelter would throw it away. At least the one I volunteer at would. But if it wasn't falling to pieces we would take it, like just old but not old to the point of crackling and falling apart. So I think it depends on the shelter.

 

[JessicaR]

Donate to an animal shelter

This is what I was going to say. They always appreciate any old bedding.

 

[Chickenlady]

Thanks everyone! I think I'll do a combo of your ideas. I'm going to sew on a permanent cover over the splitting one and use it to stuff one of my dogs beds. His beds have washable covers and he doesn't chew, so I can just zip a recovered comforter into his bed! He will love it! Thanks.

 

[beaucoup]

Buy a duvet cover for it.

Or make one. My husband's favorite TV watching blanket in our cold basement room is an old tattered comforter that I sewed a duvet cover out of 2 very nice quality solid color flannel sheets. Basically, a giant pillow case out of the sheets, slide the old comforter inside, sew up the 4th side, and secure comforter in place with several knots tied here & there in the center. He's been using it for the past decade and its been washed a LOT. He just loves that thing. Warm & snuggly.

 

[Nette]

Whatever you do, don't cut it open! There will be feathers EVERYWHERE. I had a dog chew the corner off a down pillow as a puppy, the entire bedroom was about 4 inches thick in down feathers... and the pillow was still plenty stuffed, I folded the corner over and stitched it shut and continued to use it for ages... I'd really hate to see what comes out of a whole comforter!

 

[KristaTX]

I'd throw it away unless it has been in a dustmite proof covering (which is unlikely given that it's 30 years old). Either that or give it to an animal shelter as has been mentioned, if they take them.

 

[DharmaLou]

I donated ours to an animal shelter.

 

[scrapquitler]

Hey all you creative DIS people! I have a king size down comforter that is about 30 years old. The fabric itself has started to fall apart, it's cracking and spliting and can't be patched. Anyone have any ideas what I can do with it? I've ordered a new one but hate throwing things out. I was thinking about cutting it open and saving the down, but for what? It also sounds really messy. Any help recycling would be appreciated.

Stuff the down into a couple of zippered pillowcases and make yourself some pillows

 

[dngnb8]

Pillows.

If you have access to a sewing machine, get a tightly woven fabric, sew & stuff. If not, get high thread count pillowcases, stuff & seal the open side of the cases with a bondable fusing web (Stitch-Witchery is one brand). An alternative would be to stuff pillowcase covers with zip closures.

^^^^^

 

[MolonLabe]

Covers can be cheap if you buy the low end ones.

I keep extra blankets in the basement in case of crazy winter storms that knock out power/gas.

Assuming you have enough old blankets, donation could be a great idea. I'd buy and donate with it one of the cheaper covers though.