Can Dust Be Chic? Designer Turns Vacuum Fluff into Slippers

Could household dust be the next big thing in sustainable fashion? London-based designer Rahat Rai thinks so.

The 21-year-old graduate from Ravensbourne University has launched “Done & Dusted,” a project that transforms vacuum cleaner dust into a durable felt-like fabric. His process begins by collecting dust from household vacuum bags, meticulously sorting out sticks, nails, hair, and other debris.

The remaining soft, wool-like particles are flattened, moistened, and baked to kill bacteria. The resulting textile is stitched with a ripstop pattern for strength and coated along the edges with natural latex to prevent fraying.

Rai chose slippers as his first product, calling it a poetic statement, shoes meant to keep dust off your feet, made from the very dust you clean away. While the current prototype may not yet be practical for everyday wear, it demonstrates a radical approach to upcycling waste.

Rai envisions future applications in packaging, furniture, and accessories, and is exploring partnerships with cleaning companies to source materials.

For him, the project is about more than design; it’s a challenge to rethink waste as a valuable resource. “It extends the life of what we throw away and gives it new purpose,” he says.