10 Ways to Use a Bandana, Other Than On Your Head
by aviva
I know Earth Day was last week, but finding different ways to be “green” is a pretty hot topic these days anyway. There are a lot of simple ways to be kind to the environment – using cloth shopping bags (they look so much nicer, and hold so much more, than plastic), taking metal or plastic water bottles and travel coffee mugs, feeding your leftover bread scraps to the ducks instead of throwing them out. Ok, I’m not sure if the last one exactly counts as being “green,” but it’s more fun and less wasteful, isn’t it?
So, in honor of Earth Day, and in keeping with our own theme, here are some interesting ways to reuse a bandana that you might not have thought of before.
- The revival of the hankie. Blow your nose in it!
- A casual (or emergency) cloth napkin.
- Play pirate with your kids or students or whoever – it can be a headrag or even an eyepatch!
- Soak it and tie it around your neck when it’s hot out to cool off. If you want to get fancy, pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes after you wet it.
- Bandanas make handy sleep masks when you’re flying.
- Tie back your curtains!
- An emergency bandage.
- Wrap it around a bag of frozen peas to make an ice pack.
- Apprehend a criminal and use it to tie his wrists together until the police come.
- Um, go find a ship that’s setting sail, and wave it good bye?
JUST ADDED!

What about other fashion uses- around your neck or ad a belt, for example?
Otherwise, thanks for the amusing post.
Love it. I’ll definitely keep #9 in mind the next time I see a crime committed!
LOL! How funny!… Great thinking!
I really enjoyed this post, especially the “examples in this post” portion which made it really easy for me to SEE what you were talking about without even having to leave the article. Thanks
It’s also good for tying small bits of things up and affixing to a stick like the old-school hobos. Or straining things through — provided it’s clean — like a cheesecloth…
i like the idea to use a headband as a tie back for curtains.
I’m taking mine to a festival this week; should be especially useful as I’m working in a hot kitchen most of the time, so a wet bandanna on my neck will be welcome!
I’ll have to remember #4 next time my kids tell me, “I’m shmoiling!”
Thanks for the post,,i use bandanas when i wrap my hair to hold it in place!
Shannon
Very cute
They can also be used as bibs!
funnnyy stuff!(the examples):) gr8 additions, Sara S.!.. & how about as a baby sling for a little girl’s doll?
I use hankies in the car to wipe dust off my dashboard
Very cute.
What about using bandanas as other fashion uses, though- belts and scarves and whatnot?
It’s also good for playing peek-a-boo with little kiddies! Or for pretending it’s bathtime while you sing “this is the way we wash our arms”
My husband is always wiping his face with a paper towel when it’s hot and humid outside. Maybe I should tell him to start carrying a bandana. It won’t fall to pieces, and it can be reused.
Here’s a great way to use a bandana:
http://rapunzelsresource.wordpress.com/2009/09/24/bandana-waves/
Joy, that is really cool!
I’ve also see bandanas used in denim skirts, something like this: http://www.culturedcowboy.com/kids/kiddiekorral/images/31fr.jpg or with a V-shape cut out of the skirt and a bandana sewn in. You could also sew a bunch of them together and cut a skirt/dress out of them.
#1…ewwww….
Use it to sneak yummy treats from a party. Put it in bandana, fold it up, put in your pocket or purse, then enjoy it later.
xoxoxo
Bandanas are great for wedding shtick. After they start clearing up the tables, they are great to make the jump ropes with during dancing
you can also tie one on a little girl for a quick top!
lol funny, you forgot diaper lol
How about on your daughter’s head
.
My hubby wears these while he rides a motorcycle.
Rebecca
@Buttons and Bows
how about an emergency burp cloth!
my neice wears them on her wrists.
Carry stuff in it hobo style (for kids play)! Your lunch when you can’t find a bag, hey thats Eco friendly.
what about as an “emergency diaper?”
My teen likes to wear them for fashion. Love the variety of colors!
MMM Thinking about tied headgear,how do african women do their wrapped headpeice?