Where do old pillows go to die?

[Born2Travel]

I have so many old pillows... I buy new ones and then just put the old ones aside but I need to get rid of some of them. What do you do with your old pillows? Does Goodwill take them?

 

[Patri]

I hope not! I have never seen any there. You could give away on Freecycle. But as a new owner, I would wash them in scalding water. I think of this as similar to getting a used mattress. You don't want any surprises coming along.

 

[Pens_Fan]

Garbage can.

 

[vacationhopeful]

A big black trash bag and then to the curb.

 

[Passepartout]

Ours go to the RV or guest room, but SHOULD go directly to the curb. Thanks for the prod. I think there's a little extra room in the trash can, and the closet would benefit with the extra room.

This is a good time of year to change over the wardrobe from Summer to Fall/Winter anyway.

Jim

 

[hefleycatz]

Check with your local animal shelter or Humane Society. I always take my old pillows, sheets, blankets and towels to them.

lee

 

[wackymother]

Do you mean decorative pillows from the couch, or sleeping pillows from the bed? I give the decorative ones to the Vietnam Vets, who specifically say that they take them. I usually toss the sleeping kind because they're pretty pancake-like by the time we're done with them.

 

[stmartinfan]

There's a mattress store commercial running in our area that talks about all the extra weight that accumulates in old matresses from the dead bed mites and sweat. Yuk! And I suspect pillows have the same issue.

I used to save old pillows and use them for guest room etc., because that's what my mother did. I would usually give them a wash in hot water and dry to fluff them up. I finally realized I could get a decent set from Costco for not much money, so cleaned out all my old ones and replaced them. I've also started to get new ones for my bed more frequently because it makes a difference in keeping a pinched nerve in my neck better.

I like the idea of seeing if the humane society could use them.

 

[BevL]

Thanks for this. My big three day annual clean is coming up and although I am the antithesis of a hoarder - usually end up regretting chucking things - I have a stack of pillows in the closet. A trip to the dumpster is definitely in order.

 

[wackymother]

If you give old clothes to a charity that shreds them for rags (as opposed to reselling for people to wear), then you can also give old pillows to those charities. They're just using the fiber to make paper and other new things.

I just looked at the Vietnam Vets site and they do say they will take pillows:

http://www.vvapickup.org/web/pageDetail.aspx?pgID=Items_List_MN

 

[Weimaraner]

My first thought was pet shelters since they always want old blankets but noticed that some say "please no pillows" so double check with your local shelter. We usually send an old pillow and comforter with our dog when she stays at her doggie hotel. I just tossed out a few pillows myself since I stayed in a cabin at a horse ranch and came home with mystery bites so I am doing a massive preventative cleaning. I had done a bed bug check of the cabin but wonder if it had fleas or mites since they allow dogs and there were plenty along with hayrides and livestock. I definitely wouldn't pass on a pillow to anyone ever but the landfill after all the creepy critter research I've done the past couple days.

 

[geekette]

my old pillows become dog beds (for my dog at home, using cheapo fabric I buy from JoAnns clearance table) and then to trash can after we've used the very last ounce of life left or dirty enough to be done - I usually put 2-4 in a homemade "sack" together. It's convenient for her to "bring her own bed" when she goes on sleepovers as my scent will be there so she won't miss me so much and it keeps her shedding off the host's floor. Great for camping, toss em right on the dirt when we get there with a couple pieces of kibble to identify Her Spot.

 

[Born2Travel]

Check with your local animal shelter or Humane Society. I always take my old pillows, sheets, blankets and towels to them.

lee

Thanks - I like this idea and I will check - if not, I guess we'll have to make more room in the garbage can. We don't have any dogs who need them; the cats don't really "do" pillows. (Yes, I was asking about bed pillows)

 

[kwindham]

my old pillows become dog beds (for my dog at home, using cheapo fabric I buy from JoAnns clearance table) and then to trash can after we've used the very last ounce of life left or dirty enough to be done - I usually put 2-4 in a homemade "sack" together. It's convenient for her to "bring her own bed" when she goes on sleepovers as my scent will be there so she won't miss me so much and it keeps her shedding off the host's floor. Great for camping, toss em right on the dirt when we get there with a couple pieces of kibble to identify Her Spot.

What a great idea!

 

[heathpack]

You could also consider donating to a vet hospital. Washable bedding is always in demand. A pillow is just the thing for a sick yorkie. Pillow in a box on its side makes the perfect cat cave. Small clinics that don't hospitalize a lot of animals may not want the pillows. But bigger places with 24 hour hospitals probably would.

H