Since most people use tote and storage bags to haul groceries and carry heavy items, these bags have to be made from sturdy materials. In that sense, no fabrics compare to jute and cotton.
Aside from being durable and strong, these materials are also eco-friendly and affordable, making for excellent resale and promotional merchandise. To take advantage of this potential, companies have started manufacturing custom printed jute bags and branded cotton bags and giving them away to customers and employees.
Promo bags are excellent tools for increasing brand awareness and forging long-lasting relationships with your audience. In addition, they offer a wide enough printing area to allow for just about any logo design you can think of.
But with so many businesses handing out such bags, a lot of people have started accumulating them. After all, jute and cotton last long, and people often don’t need more than a few bags.
Luckily, there are numerous ways to upcycle the bags and still get to use them every day. Read on to find out how you can do it.
What Is Upcycling?
Upcycling is a process that involves turning unused recyclable materials into practical items you can utilise every day. As these bags are sturdy and durable, you can use them to create many things, from pillowcases to rugs. It is really a win-win situation, as you get to adorn your home in eco-friendly materials and save money in the process.
Here are some upcycling ideas you can consider.
1. Pillowcase
With just a little bit of effort, you can turn your unused jute and calico bags into fashionable pillowcases. You will need a sewing kit and some scissors, but the rest will be rather simple.
If you have a specific idea for your pillowcases and the bags are plain, you can also use fabric paint or acrylics. Even if you make simple decorative cushions for your couch, the bags can make a big difference in your home and budget.
2. Wall Art
Are your jute and calico bags so colourful and full of intricate details that you can’t take your eyes off them? Well, such bags can make excellent wall art pieces if you arrange them creatively.
For example, you can take a few matching bags and string them together to hang on your wall. For this, you may also use other kinds of printed eco-friendly bags such as personalised non-woven bags, logo printed canvas bags, or even branded paper bags. This idea is especially great for rooms that need a pop of colour and some brightness.
Again, you can also get artsy and paint the bags or draw on them. As long as you like the end product and you want to display it on your walls, anything goes.
3. Gardening
Not many people know that jute and cotton can be quite useful for gardening. Aside from being natural materials, they can also sustain harsh weather and lots of water. That makes them a perfect choice for DIY growing sacks.
Namely, you can replace your plastic pots with some jute and calico bags for an eco-friendly home garden. The bags can hold the soil and plants nicely and protect them from the elements. Plus, your personal garden will look interesting, creative, and innovative.
You should note that you might need something sturdier to put at the bottom of the bags if you plan to keep them inside, as the bag might leak water. But if you just want to put them outside, you can use the bags as they are.
4. Pet Beds
If you take a look at pet bed prices online, you will see that they are quite expensive, especially if you have multiple furry friends. Fortunately, there is an easy way to save money and still give your pets the life of luxury they deserve.
All you need are some jute or cotton bags and soft cotton balls. Once you stuff the bags, you stitch them together, and you’re done! The beds will be sturdy enough to sustain the movement of your pets, including any scratching and jumping that may occur.
5. Unique Rugs
As already mentioned, jute and cotton are both soft and sturdy. As such, they make an excellent base for creative rugs you can place around your home. You just have to stitch them together until you reach your desired rug size, and you’re done!
As always, you can paint the bags and decorate them however you wish until you get a design that matches your vision. While it is best to use fabric paint, acrylic colours are also an excellent choice.
Due to their absorbing quality, these rugs are best for gardens or garages. However, you can also use them inside, preferably in your kitchen or bathroom.
Related content:
Custom Cotton Bags – Key to Sustainable Advertising
Final Thoughts
Jute and cotton are durable but pretty materials that have a variety of uses. Hopefully, these ideas will help you if you have a surplus of bags and don’t know what to do with them. Remember that there are many other possibilities you can also try out. Just be creative and think outside the box, and you can’t go wrong.
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Branded Canvas Bags – A Sleek Way to Carry Your Brand
Check out our full collection of promotional bags which includes custom tote bags, logo drawstring bags, and printed plastic carrier bags. If you require further information or have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to give a member of our experienced team a call on 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today.
