How to Upcycle Plastic Carrier Bags into a Dish Scrubber

This guide about how to use plastic carrier bags to knit a dish scrubber out of plastic yarn was written for Upcycle My Stuff by Gilly Jakeway from My Green Simple Living

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Reducing and reusing is a better alternative to recycling, in so many ways. The energy, resources, man power and the pollution and contamination it can cause, are all reasons to cut down our consumption of packaging and overall waste. 

I’ve been looking through my household recycling bin to see what can be done with the everyday stuff that goes in and I’m convinced that with a little imagination there is so much more we can do with what normally gets thrown away. 

We are all trying to use reusable carrier bags more often these days, but every once in a while you get caught out and I for one still end up with too many plastic carrier bags at home despite my best efforts.

I’ve turned one into a nifty (and if I say so myself) rather effective dish scrubber. Very strong and super easy to make if you have an hour to spare and can do basic sewing. 

Materials Needed – Plastic Dish Scrubber

• Plastic Carrier Bag
• 6mm knitting needles

Step 1: Remove Handles

The first thing to do is remove the tough handles from the top of your plastic carrier bag. 

Step 2: Cut one long strip

Cut the rest of the bag into a continuous strip of yarn or ‘plarn’ (plastic yarn), 1cm wide. 

Step 3: Knit

Using 6mm needles, cast on 20 stitches and knit garter stitch (basic knit stitch) until work measures 10cm.  If you aren’t sure how to do this, see the video below, but obviously substitute the yarn for the ‘plarn’ made from your plastic carrier bag.

Cast off loosely leaving a strip of yarn/plarn attached for finishing. 

Step 4: Fold & Sew

Fold the scrubber in half widthways and sew up around the open sides  with the remaining length of yarn.   

Looking for more ways to upcycle your rubbish? We’ve got lots, try these ones:

• 10 Projects Made from Rubbish that you will actually want to keep
• How to Upcycle Cardboard into a DIY Photo Display Board
• Two Cardboard Playhouses from one Upcycled Box: Train & Rocket Ship
• 10 household items you can make yourself – including toilet paper!
• What is Upcycling & What can you Upcycle?
• 10 DIY Personalised Gifts You Can Make From Your Upcycled Stuff!