A video posted last week by TikToker Jessica Clifton (@impactforgood) may just change your makeup game forever — and help you make use of your old T-shirts, too.
In her video, Clifton turns old cotton towels and T-shirts into wipes. She says she likes using cotton because it's hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin.
"I used to use disposable makeup wipes every single day," Clifton says in the clip, adding that now, she feels "so much better" using something reusable.
To pull off the hack, Clifton cuts up old T-shirts and towels into pieces the size of a wipe, then soaks them in 1 cup of water, 1/4 teaspoon of Castile soap (like Dr. Bronner's), and 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
Finally, she stores them in a jar in her bathroom. When they've come to the end of their life, they can biodegrade into the soil — depending on the material.
"Be sure to always check the label for '100% cotton material.' This way, you can be sure it doesn't release microplastics in our waterways like synthetics do," Clifton says.
Going with reusable wipes is indeed a smart idea. More than 1 billion wipes are sent to landfills every year — including 20 million makeup wipes. Plus, using up those old towels and tees keeps textiles out of landfills as well. More than 85% of discarded clothing and textiles wind up in landfills every year.
Clifton's hack is a major money-saver, too. Not only does her trick find a use for old, unwearable T-shirts, but it cuts down on the need to buy single-use wipes, which can really add up over time.
"After learning that cotton is the more eco-conscious choice as a natural, biodegradable fiber I made the switch," Clifton says. "The best part is you can make these at home with affordable ingredients."
Instagram commenters seemed to appreciate the benefits, too.
"This is such a great idea! the ones i use are microfiber which feel scratchy so i'm gonna try this," one user wrote.
"This is an awesome sustainable idea but I do not recommend using olive oil on your face especially if you have sensitive skin," another added.
A final note: If you're trying Clifton's hack at home, you could easily swap in another oil — like jojoba or argan — for sensitive skin.
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