Transform Old Shower Curtains Into Water-Resistant Patio Pillow Covers

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One of the best ways to update a bathroom is by ditching old shower curtains for a more stunning alternative. Instead of tossing unwanted curtains in the garbage or shoving them in the back of a closet where they'll sit unused for years, there are many ways to repurpose a set around a home instead. One brilliant method is to turn them into outdoor patio pillow covers. In a TikTok presented by Love in the Dumpster, the content creator demonstrated how they upcycled a classic pair of shower curtains into water-resistant pillow cases.

This is a genius DIY idea, as shower curtains are typically made of mold- and water-resistant fabrics, like polyester and PVC vinyl. This makes the fabric more durable in conditions like rain and high humidity, making it ideal for outdoor pillow covers. Fortunately, there are thousands of shower curtain patterns and colors to choose from, and there's definitely a design out there that complements your outdoor furniture.

This project is also very budget-friendly, as it costs virtually nothing if repurposing an old pair you already have on hand. This is also a far more eco-friendly way to make use of old curtains. Plastic liners are often tossed when they're replaced, and since they aren't easily recyclable, they often end up in landfills. They serve a far better purpose as upcycled pillow covers than spending hundreds of years slowly breaking down in a trash heap.

Before beginning, measure the size of your outdoor throw pillows. A standard 20-inch pillow requires three pieces of fabric: one 18 inches by 18 inches, one 13 inches by 18 inches, and one 8 inches by 18 inches. You can use the hemmed edges of the shower curtain to save yourself a sewing step. Cut these pieces using a pair of scissors designed for heavier-duty material, like the Wteehn Fabric Scissors. Start from one corner of the shower curtain, not in the middle, so you don't waste any material. It's always better to have leftover fabric in case any mistakes are made. Plus, if there's enough material left over, you could try another easy shower curtain hack to transform patio tables.

Once the fabric pieces are cut out, iron them down, pin them together, and sew them inside-out, leaving about ½-inch of seam allowance. TikToker Love in the Dumpster didn't provide a detailed explanation of their process. However, the avid DIYer Paula Skulina provides more elaborate sewing instructions in their tutorial for a similar DIY. Now, even though shower curtains are water-resistant, they are not designed to hold up to sunlight. So for the final step, use a spray-on protectant, like Scotchgard Outdoor Fabric Spray, to help preserve the pillowcase's vibrancy.

The beauty of this throw pillow cover style is that it's removable. When it needs to be cleaned, simply slide it off the throw pillow insert. It can then be spot-cleaned or tossed in a washing machine as needed. Of course, machine-washing them is only recommended if you trust your sewing handiwork. Hand-washing is far gentler and makes pillows last longer. Also consider these when looking for foolproof methods to clean outdoor cushions.