How can I reuse or recycle (or pass on) slippers?

Rachael left a note on the suggestions page, asking:

hi, how can recycle some slippers? do shoe banks take them? thanks

Yes, they can be put into shoe banks – but make sure they’re tied together in some way (if they’ve not got laces, tie them together with string or an elastic band). Stuff put in charity shoe banks is usually distributed in three ways depending on quality/condition: for resale at a charity shop in this country, for resale overseas or for actual recycling down to being shredded for raw materials — so one way or another, they’ll get reused.

If they’re old and in poor condition, you might be able to revamp them yourself to get a bit longer out of them – I tend to wear slipper socks than actual slippers but I’ve upcycled the “leather” soles of one pair by crocheting new “uppers” using the relevant part of patterns widely available on the internet. Sole aside, a lot of towelling-type slippers will be 100% (or thereabouts) cotton so might be dye-able, which might breathe new life into a discoloured/grubby pale coloured pair.

Any other ideas for revamping or recycling an old pair of slippers? Or other suggestions on places to pass them onto? (eg would shelters take them?)

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3 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle (or pass on) slippers?”


  1. carol says:

    I take old slippers, wash them and save them to give a friend when they get a new puppy. I always give them a little gift bag with puppy goodies and the slippers are perfect.

  2. Robert says:

    One use for old worn slippers is using them like oven gloves!

  3. HEmi says:

    We keep an old flip flop in the bathroom to kill cockroaches.



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