Oilcloth Advice
Celebrating Global Recycling Day with Only Oilcloths
Mar
♻️ From Table to Treasure: Celebrating Global Recycling Day with Only Oilcloths
Every year Global Recycling Day reminds us that small changes can make a big difference to the planet. Recycling, reusing and repurposing everyday items helps reduce waste and encourages us to think creatively about the products we bring into our homes.
At Only Oilcloths, we believe practical products should also have a long life, and oilcloth tablecloths are a great example of this.
Oilcloth tablecloths are coated with a PVC layer, which gives them their well-known wipe-clean surface. What many people don’t realise is that PVC is made from around 57% common salt, produced through the electrolysis of salt water. Because salt forms the main raw material, PVC relies less on petroleum than many other plastics. This makes it a surprisingly efficient material for products that are designed to last.
Of course, a good oilcloth tablecloth will usually provide many years of use protecting your table. However, once it has reached the end of its life as a table covering, it doesn’t need to go straight into the bin. With a little creativity, oilcloth can be upcycled into lots of useful household items.
One popular idea is to cut pieces to use as drawer liners. The wipe-clean surface makes them ideal for kitchen drawers, craft cupboards or toolboxes. They protect surfaces while adding a splash of colour.
Another great option is to use oilcloth as dust covers. Small pieces can protect sewing machines, mixers, garden equipment or craft supplies when they are not in use.
Oilcloth also works wonderfully for craft and storage projects. You could create:
- Peg bags for the washing line
- Small storage baskets
- Plant pot mats for indoor plants
- Craft table mats for children
- Protective liners for pet feeding areas
Gardeners often use offcuts as potting mats or kneeling mats, as the surface wipes clean easily.
Even smaller scraps can be useful. They make excellent placemats for messy activities, such as painting, baking or children’s craft projects.
By reusing oilcloth in new ways, you give the material a second life while keeping waste to a minimum.
So this Global Recycling Day, why not take a fresh look at items around your home and see how they might be reused in creative ways? Sometimes the simplest materials can inspire the most practical solutions.
Follow us on social media and be the first to see what’s new!
