Old quilts — Old quilts and doonas don’t need to go in the bin. Our team’s guide to donating, recycling and repurposing old quilts in Australia.
Hannah on our team’s laundry pile contains three retired quilts at any given time. Here’s the playbook for actually getting rid of them well.
Step 1: Decide if it’s donatable (Old quilts)
Donatable: clean, no rips, no smell, all-natural fill (wool, cotton, down). Not donatable: stained, torn, mouldy, or with synthetic fill that’s clumped.
Step 2: Donation options
- Animal shelters. RSPCA, AWL, local rescue groups all accept quilts for animal bedding regardless of cosmetic flaws (so long as no synthetic stuffing comes loose). The most reliable use of a retired quilt.
- Op shops. Vinnies, Salvos, Sacred Heart Mission accept quilts in good condition. Call ahead — some have stockpiles.
- Homeless shelters. Some accept clean, warm quilts before winter. Check via GIVIT for active needs near you.
- Refugee support orgs. AMES Australia, Settlement Services International take winter bedding regularly.
Step 3: Repurpose (clean but unwanted)
- Cut into pet beds.
- Use as packing material for moving boxes (better than newspaper for plates).
- Convert into a quilted floor cushion / picnic blanket.
- Use as a mover’s blanket (wrap furniture during a move).
- Donate to schools / community art programs as fabric for craft.
Step 4: Recycling
- Upparel. Mail-back textile recycling for around $25 per 10 kg parcel. Quilts, doonas, blankets, clothing — all accepted.
- Local council. A small but growing number of councils now accept textile recycling. Check recyclingnearyou.com.au.
Step 5: Composting (natural fill only)
Pure wool, cotton or down fillings will biodegrade in a compost bin or garden mulch over 3–6 months. Cut the cover off, tear the fill into smaller pieces, mix with garden waste. Synthetic fills don’t compost — straight to recycling.
Step 6: Last resort — landfill
Compress tightly. Synthetic fills take 30+ years to break down. Natural fibres take 5–10 years.
For washing instructions, see our doona-washing guide.
