And once they've worn out, don't just toss them! You can always find something to do with that fabric!
1. Make a hammock for the stuffed animals.
They may be yours, you kids', or your dogs', but plushies seem to end up everywhere. Stick a couple of Command hooks in a corner and hang a fitted sheet from them to corral the little fluffers (the toys, not the dogs).
2. Protect your car from spills and crumbs.
Adults often struggle to avoid a mess when eating in a moving vehicle, so why should we expect kids to manage? Cover the seat with a fitted sheet for easy clean-up. This also works great if you're transporting muddy dogs (or kids).
3. Replace an old ironing board cover.
Find a sheet the right size (a crib sheet or twin should be enough) and staple it over the old cover for a clean new look.
4. Slipcover the couch.
My spouse and I had a leather couch long before we had a puppy. A bit of thinking ahead and a fitted sheet would have saved that leather from tiny claws and muddy paws.
5. An outdoor tablecloth that won't blow away.
A twin sheet should fit most standard tables just fine. If your sheet is slightly too big, you can always knot the excess at the corners — or employ the ever-handy jumbo binder clip for extra staying power.
6. Protect the playpen from bugs and sun.
If you're working in the garden, covering your child's playpen with a fitted sheet will provide both shade and a barrier against mosquitos.
7. Make a cat cave.
A fitted sheet over a foam mattress can become a cozy home for felines in fewer than five minutes.
8. Turn worn-out sheets into reusable shopping bags.
With fitted sheets, the first thing to go is usually the elastic on the corners — especially if your pillow-top is slightly too tall for a standard sheet — but the fabric is still in decent shape. Cut them up and sew them into handy shopping bags. These ones even have a pocket that the whole bag can roll up into.
9. Cut up the sheet into household rags.
Cut down on your use of paper towel and switch to reusable rags by cutting up an old sheet when the elastic gives way.
10. You can also cut it into strips for "yarn."
Rag yarn is popular for DIY projects like rugs or other home goods. A fitted sheet can give you a ton of material for your next project.
11. A beach blanket with a built-in sand barrier.
Just lay the sheet out on the sand upside down and anchor the elastic corners around bags or coolers. Absolutely brilliant!
12. A better roof for your couch fort.
No more having to deal with that one corner of the blanket that just keeps falling down.
13. Add a fan for a balloon fort.
Great for hot days where air conditioning isn't available.
14. Protect garden boxes from sudden cold snaps.
Everyone's been there: you just got the new plants sewn in the garden and there's a sudden April frost. A fitted sheet is a great way to quickly cover your delicate seedlings.
Just don't try to fold them.
I've stopped bothering to even attempt it.
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