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DIY Reusable Cotton Rounds | How to Make Zero Waste Makeup Remover Pads

One of my favorite sustainable sewing projects is making these DIY reusable cotton rounds. As a woman, I have to use quite a lot of cotton rounds monthly, and if I buy the ones from the store, I end up making a lot of waste when I use them up. With these diy makeup remover pads, there’s no waste, and I get to save up a bit of money along the way. Also, making them isn’t hard at all, just take a look at this tutorial and you’ll see.

The environment is in danger, and it has been for years. Great factories and industries are causing perhaps more pollution than ever, and very few people are considering the effects of that kind of attitude.

I am not exactly a bright example of an environmentally aware person, but I certainly try my best to do whatever I can to contribute to protecting the ecosystem. For this reason, I love working on any kind of sustainable sewing project that I can think of. The fashion industry is, after all, the greatest pollutant out there, and I’m happy if I can depend on it as less as possible.

Below you will find my step by step DIY reusable cotton rounds written tutorial with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.

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How to make reusable cotton rounds

Supplies and tools

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Downloadable cotton rounds pattern (FREE PDF)

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How To Sew DIY cotton rounds

Watch the diy reusable makeup remover pads video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
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DIY Reusable Cotton rounds VIDEO TUTORIAL

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Prepare the essentials

The main thought behind this project is sustainability, as you probably already guessed. That is why it would be best if you could repurpose some fabric you don’t need anymore instead of buying it. You will need some pure cotton or organic flannel. If you don’t have that in your house, try finding it in a thrift store or organic sewing supplies store.

Thoroughly wash your fabric before you start doing anything with it, if you are not reusing fabrics. This will help prevent any shrinkage or deforming of the cotton rounds later on. If it shrinks, it will do so at this step only.

The tools you need for this project are either scissors or a rotary cutter with a cutting mat. You will also need a sewing machine of course, and some thread that’s the same color as your fabric.

TIP: It would be great to use an overlock or serger machine to give the cotton rounds a more professional look, but don’t worry if you don’t have one, you can complete the project without it as well.

STEP 2: Download and cut the pattern

Download the free pattern, print it on a US letter paper (no scaling) and cut it out.

In case you don’t have a printer you can use a glass with a circle opening as a stencil. Ideally, it should be about 4 inches wide, but it can also be a bit bigger or smaller. Another thing you can use as an alternative is a coffee or tea mug, or a metal jar lid. As long as it’s round and hard, it will do the trick.

STEP 3: Cut out the fabric

Fold the fabric in half before you start cutting it. Use your pattern and either mark multiple cicles at once or pin it and cut around it. Try to use as much fabric as you can by keeping the circles as close as possible to each other. Kinda like when you’re making round cookies and you have to cut out the circles from the dough.

If you are using a rotary cutter, find a flat, clear space like a work desk or a free section on the floor and spread your cutting mat on it. Put the fabric over the mat and start cutting.

STEP 4: Pin

Place two rounds on each other so that the edged are aligned. Pin the two circles (wrong sides together) on each other

STEP 5: Sew

Use a mock serger stitch (similar to #19 shown here) or if your sewing machine lacks such stitches use a medium zig zag stitch to stitch all around the edge. When you reach the beginning of the seam, go over it just a bit to ensure that the stitching does not unravel.

Your first reusable cotton round is now complete.

Make at least half a dozen (a dozen is better) and place them in a jar in your bathroom so they are always at an arm’s reach. Place the used facial cloth wipes in another container and wash them with your regular laundry.

Congrats! you are one step ahead towards living a zero-waste, eco-friendly lifestyle.

 

BONUS TIP:

How to make a 3 ingredients makeup remover solution

If you like homemade beauty products and making them on your own, here is a suggestion for an easy to make makeup remover. I make it for myself often and I have to admit that it’s pretty good.

Just three ingredients are all you need for this solution.

  • Jojoba oil
  • aloe vera
  • witch hazel
  • essential oil (optional)

Take a jar or a glass bottle and put a funnel in it. Pour two tablespoons of witch hazel, two tablespoons of jojoba oil, and one tablespoon of aloe vera into it. Add two drops of lemon essential oil. This should keep the solution from spoiling or fermenting. It also does wonders for greasy skin because it has a natural ability to cut grease.

Swirl the container to mix the ingredients together gently. With this, the solution is finished. When you want to use it, put a bit of it on a cotton wad and lightly wipe the makeup away. Don’t press or pull too hard with the wad, or you could irritate your skin a bit.

Another natural makeup remover that is good for those with dry skin is coconut oil. But that one packs a nasty sting if it gets in your eyes, so it’s best to just make the solution instead.

 

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DIY cotton rounds (Free sewing project)

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I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading this DIY makeup remover wipes article. If you know of some similar sustainable sewing projects, share it with us in the comment section. We should all try to do our best to protect the environment in any way we can. Don’t you agree?

OTHER SUSTAINABLE AND ZERO-WASTE PROJECTS:

How to make a Jar Opener

DIY reusable cloth napkins

DIY kitchen towels tutorial

DIY doorstopper

How to shorten jeans

DIY Produce bags

DIY reusable grocery bag

Drawstring makeup bag pattern

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 12 comments
Marie-Interior Frugalista - June 22, 2020

These are great and I bet they’ll work so much better. Those store-bought ones rip so easily and you end up using two or three. Pinned

Reply
Donna @ Modern on Monticello - June 22, 2020

Not only will this save you money but it probably softer on the skin as well. Great tutorial and idea. #HomeMattersParty

Reply
    Helen - June 23, 2020

    Thank you for stopping by, Donna. Indeed those feel softer and I love being able to reduce our environmental impact

    Reply
Michelle - June 23, 2020

This is a really cool idea!

Thank you for sharing with Creative Compulsions!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com

Reply
    Helen - June 24, 2020

    thank you so much, Michelle. I love zero waste ideas. Plus this project is a great scrap buster

    Reply
Brooke Rhodes - June 24, 2020

Great tutorial! I love using every last scrap! I hate letting good fabric go to waste!!

Reply
    Helen - June 24, 2020

    I love finding ways to use up my fabric scraps too! It’s a shame to let these beautiful fabrics go to waste!
    Have you seen my jar openers and the hand gel holders – these are great scrap busting projects you can whip up in minutes!
    Make sure to circle back from time to time, I’ll be adding even more ideas how to use even the smallest pieces!

    Reply
Shelbee on the Edge - June 27, 2020

These are amazing! I am all about finding new ways to minimize waste. Wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing and linking up with me.

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Reply
    Helen - June 29, 2020

    I’m always trying to find new ways to reduce waste! I’ll be sharing more green ideas over the next few months, I’ve got a bunch of ideas and not so much time on my hands.

    Reply
Jayne - February 9, 2022

I have been making the cotton rounds for years. I love them. j

Reply
    Helen - February 11, 2022

    Such a quick and easy sew, I love these

    Reply
Jayne - April 20, 2022

I made the cotton rounds with quilt batting in between the layers of cotton and a fancy stitch in the middle to hold them together. I keep a mesh bag in the bathroom to put the used ones in. j

Reply

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