recycled fabrics?

Question

what are the most common methods of recycling fabric?

Answer 1

Aside from re-purposing old clothes, they can be recycled into many things. Here's an article that describes some of the processes.

Textile recycling
When considering textile recycling one must understand what the material consists of. Most textiles are composites of cotton (biodegradable material) and synthetic plastics. The textile's composition will affect its durability and method of recycling.

Workers sort and separate collected textiles into good quality clothing and shoes which can be reused or worn. These sorting facilities are in a trend of being moved from developed countries such as the UK to developing countries.[14]

Damaged textiles are further sorted into grades to make industrial wiping cloths and for use in paper manufacture or material which is suitable for fibre reclamation and filling products. If textile reprocessors receive wet or soiled clothes however, these may still end up being disposed of in landfill, as the washing and drying facilities are not present at sorting units. [15]

Fibre reclamation mills sort textiles according to fibre type and colour. Colour sorting eliminates the need to re-dye the recycled textiles. The textiles are shredded into "shoddy" fibres and blended with other selected fibres, depending on the intended end use of the recycled yarn. The blended mixture is carded to clean and mix the fibres and spun ready for weaving or knitting. The fibres can also be compressed for mattress production. Textiles sent to the flocking industry are shredded to make filling material for car insulation, roofing felts, loudspeaker cones, panel linings and furniture padding.

Answer 2

The most common form of textiles made using
recycled polyester is fleece, a knitted pile fabric
often used by outdoor clothing companies which will make
jackets.

Answer 3

I have read that some specialty paper can be homemade with old fabrics. Jeans can be used for patches for other jeans with holes, you can make purses with them. Old clothes can be cut down and re-sewn for children or dolls. I usually see if there is someone I know who can use the clothing or give it to goodwill. Old tee shirts can be used as rags and are good for cleaning windows and drying/polishing cars.

Answer 4

You can cut fabric into strips, sew the ends together, roll into huge balls, and take to someone to make into a rug for you.

Answer 5

Rag rugs are easy but you never have the colour you need amongst your old clothes and end up buying old t-shirts at jumble sales.

Answer 6

Taking clothes to a charity shop so they can be worn again.

Answer 7

Give it to someone who can benefit from it; like make clothes or share it with someone who can make use of it. Use it for crafts.

Answer 8

Patchwork quilts of course! :)