Crochet Makeup Remover Pads Free Pattern

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Make your own crochet makeup remover pads, with this handy free pattern.

I’m really excited to share with you this free pattern for these fantastic crochet makeup remover pads, created for Moral Fibres readers by Lyndsey Haskell.

Here Lyndsey shares how to green your daily beauty routine with these simple and eco-friendly washable alternatives to disposable cotton wool pads.

Please note, that these are UK crochet stitches. If you are reading along from a different part of the world, then I would recommend familiarising yourself with UK crochet stitches and hook sizes first.

Do also note that as the pattern has been provided by Lyndsey, I am unable to answer any of your questions related to crochet.

Take it away Lyndsey!


cotton wool pads

I’m constantly on the lookout for ways of reducing my carbon footprint, one of the main aims being to reduce the number of things I buy and throw away.

One daily annoyance is throwing away the cotton pads that I use to remove my makeup. They come in a non-recyclable plastic packet that really irks me. Another point of annoyance is that they may have been factory-made and then air-freighted halfway around the world.

I decided to make some reusable cotton pads that I could just put in the wash when they’ve been used. Read on to find out how I did it! I’ve also got a printer-friendly version of these instructions at the bottom of this post. Keep scrolling for that!

How To Make Crochet Makeup Remover Pads

reusable make up remover pad

To make your reusable cotton wool pads you will need a UK size 4 crochet hook.

If you are outside of the UK then please note UK crochet hook sizes are different from international sizes. A UK size 4 corresponds with a 6.00mm hook or a 10/J hook.

You will also need some cotton yarn of your choice.

My favourite is Rowan Revive which comes in some lovely colours, or you can use up whatever wool is in your stash. You will need around 8 metres of yarn.

Instructions

step by step guide to crocheting makeup remover pads

To make these crochet makeup remover pads then try the following pattern that I’ve devised

Ch4, then join with a sl st to the first stitch.

Row 1: Ch 1, *puff st (yo, insert hook into stitch, pull the strand through, do the same 4 more times then pull your yarn through all 11 loops on the hook, close the puff with a chain), ch 1*, repeat * 7 more times then join with a sl st to the top of the first puff stitch and move with a sl st into the gap between the first & second puff. 8 puff st.

reusable make up remover pad diy

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 puff st into the first gap, then 2 puff st into each gap all the way around. Note that you don’t chain between the stitches as you did on the first row. Once you have 16 puff st, join with a sl st to the first puff stitch. 16 puff st.

eco friendly cotton wool pad

Sew in the ends and there you have your finished crochet makeup remover pad. Make a bundle of them and store them in your bathroom ready to use at bedtime!

Enjoy.

crochet cotton wool pads

How To Use Your Completed Pads

Using reusable makeup remover pads is incredibly similar to using disposable cotton wool rounds.

To use simply saturate your crochet makeup remover pad with your regular makeup remover, and then gently wipe your face using the pad. Depending on how much makeup you were wearing, you made need to use more than one pad to remove all traces of makeup.

Once you’re done, pop your pads in a bag or a jar ready for wash day.

How To Wash Your Crochet Makeup Remover Pads

Now that you’ve made your reusable makeup pads, you might be wondering how to wash them. The good news is that they don’t require any special care. I’d recommend popping them in your washing machine, along with your other laundry, and washing them on your standard wash cycle using your regular laundry detergent. It’s that easy.

If you’ve crocheted your pads using light-coloured wool, wash them in a light-coloured load. And vice versa, if you used dark-coloured wool, wash them in with your darks, to avoid any laundry mishaps!

My top tip is to either buy a mesh bag or repurpose something similar to wash them in. This helps stop them from going inside the seal in your washing machine and getting a bit dirty, or getting lost inside your clothes!

My other top tip is to avoid the use of a standard fabric conditioner. Using this can negatively affect the absorbency and performance of your makeup remover pads. White vinegar makes for a great effective natural fabric conditioner that won’t affect your pads.

To dry, avoid the tumble dryer. Instead, hang them up to air dry.

Alternatively, you can hand wash your reusable makeup pads. Simply wash them in warm water with a little laundry detergent or some gentle soap, before wringing them out and hanging them up to dry.

See my full guide on how to wash reusable makeup remover pads for more top tips – including how to stop stains from setting.


Other Eco-Friendly Makeup Ideas

Thanks so much, Lyndsey for this fantastic reusable cotton wool pads crochet pattern! I’m desperate to learn how to crochet so that I can give these seriously useful pads a go.

If you are looking for other ways to green your beauty routine do check out my health and beauty category for more inspiration!   I have a host of eco-friendly makeup-related posts, such as this handy guide to zero-waste makeup, and my really easy natural makeup brush cleaner recipe. I’m working on my own eco-friendly makeup remover, so do also watch this space!

Need a printer-friendly version of the crochet pattern? I’ve made one below for you so that you can print it out and get crocheting!

Crochet Makeup Remover Pads – Free Pattern

Try this crochet reusable cotton wool pads pattern so you can green your daily beauty routine with these simple and eco-friendly washable cotton wool pads.
Print Recipe
cotton wool pad DIY
Prep Time:0 minutes
Cook Time:1 hour

Equipment

  • 1 Pair of scissors optional

Ingredients

  • 1 piece UK size 4 crochet hook A UK size 4 corresponds with a 6.00mm hook or a 10/J hook.
  • 8 metres Cotton yarn of your choice. My favourite is Rowan Revive, but you can also use whatever wool you have in your stash.

Instructions

  • Ch4, then join with a sl st to the first stitch.
  • Row 1: Ch 1, *puff st (yo, insert hook into stitch, pull the strand through, do the same 4 more times then pull your yarn through all 11 loops on the hook, close the puff with a chain), ch 1*, repeat * 7 more times then join with a sl st to the top of the first puff stitch and move with a sl st into the gap between the first & second puff. 8 puff st.
  • Row 2: Ch 1, 2 puff st into the first gap, then 2 puff st into each gap all the way around. Note that you don’t chain between the stitches as you did on the first row. Once you have 16 puff st, join with a sl st to the first puff stitch. 16 puff st.
  • Finally, sew in the ends and you're done.
Servings: 4 pads

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46 Comments

    1. I’m afraid I’m not too sure what you mean Terry. Cotton wool is a soft mass of cotton, used especially for applying liquids or creams to your skin, and removing makeup. They are designed to be thrown away after each use. The disposable ones aren’t made of wool, despite the name, but the reusable ones are. Hope this helps.

  1. Hello! Love this pattern, they’re so cute!!! Just wanted to ask, is it okay to make and sell these cotton pads?
    Thanks!

  2. Wow, I finally have an answer to my ethical eye-cleaning routine! I just gave up a while ago as I hated to keep throwing cotton wipes in the bin. Great just to soothe and cleanse your eyes with, even if you don’t wear make-up. Just wish I had come up with this!

  3. Hi, my neice has just asked me to makesome of the reusable Cotton Wool Pads but I cannot find how to download/print itr to be able to use it, can you hwlp plese

    1. Hi Wendy, the instructions are all in the post. You could copy and paste the text on to a Word document, and print it off like that if you would prefer to have it on paper.

  4. Hi, these look great – I like the puffy bits as that innovation should make them softer and more absorbent. Can I use mercerised cotton? I have some left over.

  5. I emailed this link to my Mum a month ago and forgot about it. Yesterday it was my birthday and I opened my present from my Mum to find she had made me a set of 10 of these in a white cotton drawstring bag so I can put them into the washing machine in it! How cool! Thanks for inspiring such a fab gift!!

  6. Thank you for the pattern. However, a) I don’t crochet. b) i have looked at reusable pads that can be washed afterwards. Great in theory. However, I use 3 in the morning and 2 in the evening. I do a wash probably once or twice a week. Therefore I would have to buy an awfully large number of reusable pads and they are not cheap. Do you have any advice on what I can use to be more environmentally friendly?

    1. Hi Natalia, I’m a fan of face cloths (or flannels). I use a fresh one in the morning – and then rinse and re-use it in the evening. It then goes in the washing pile until the next load of laundry goes on. You can even store them in a wet bag if it’s going to be a while until you have a full load.

  7. Bonjour,

    J’ai réalisé des disques à démaquiller en tissu : une face en nid d’abeille, l’autre en éponge. J’avais essayé au crochet mais le résultat me semble pas aussi bien que la tienne. Je vais donc essayer de faire les tiennes. Merci beaucoup pour ce tuto. En fait, j’aime faire des cadeaux utiles à mes amies, ces disques sont parfaits.
    Marie

  8. Wendy, Thanks for the pattern! This is what I looking for. I just made it.
    If you don’t mind, may I translate it into Korean and post it on my personal blog? I’d like to introduce the way can reduce waste.

  9. Hi,
    About the cotton : Does it matter which cotton you use or is it fine to use every cotton?
    It’s because I have a shitload of cotton here and it would be perfect if I can use it for this because I already want reusable cotton pads!
    Thanks for the pattern <3
    Love,
    Esmee

  10. Hi Wendy! Thanks for the pattern. How do you wash these once used? Do they wash clean in the washing machine or must they be hand washed?
    Thanks,

  11. Wendy, Thank you for sharing your pattern! I decided last night when I scratched my eyelid with a store bought pad, I’m done with them. The quality is so inconsistent!

  12. Hi Wendy,

    I am trying to make those diy cotton wool pads, but I just can’t figure it out.
    Would it be possible for you to send some more pictures of the different steps in between the pictures on this website? I managed to do step one which you can see on the first picture, but from there I am stuck.
    Please help me out.

  13. I would love to see a youtube tutorial version of this! My crochet knowkedge is very minimal especially when it comes to the crochet jargon :)

  14. Love this pattern! However am a little confused on the size of hook; did you mean a 4.00 mm hook? And would equal an “f” hook?

      1. I’m in the uk and would always pick a hook by the Mm. most of my hooks only have that measurement on

  15. Over the last couple of weeks I have linked to this post a few times in a Danish facebook group for crocheting. I guess more and more Danes are now interested in making their own cotton pads:)

  16. Hi there,

    I would like to add this project to Ravelry with a link to Moral Fibres for the pattern so that even more people can enjoy this! Would that be ok with you and could I use your cover photo as the pattern photo?

    1. Thanks for your comment Renee, glad you’ve enjoyed the project! I’ve sent an email to ask Lyndsey from What You Sow about this, as she created the pattern and took the photos. I’ll get back to you when I hear back :)

    2. Thanks for replying so quickly and for getting in touch with Lindsey on my behalf. Look forward to hearing from you a bit later on :)

      1. I’m nearly 5 years late to the party, but anyway… Here it says to use a UK size 4/ 6mm/ J hook) but on Ravelry it says 4mm/G.

  17. These are very cute but I prefer to make eye/spectacle wipes by cutting up cotton undies. Not sexy but it saves using virgin materials and diverts waste from landfill/incinerators.

    1. These pads aren’t for cleaning spectacles but for removing eye make-up, and applying cleanser/toner. Don’t think I’d fancy using old undies for that, but it’s a good idea for spectacles :)

  18. Now this is a great idea – and wouldn’t it be perfect to make as little gifts for people too. I think I’m going to start making some of these tonight.

    1. Oh you should! And let me know how you get on!

      And yes, they’d make perfect little gifts – perhaps given in a little bag or glass jar.