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  1. Real Simple
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  3. 25 New Clothing-Care Uses for Old Things

25 New Clothing-Care Uses for Old Things

Real Simple Author
By Real Simple Editors Updated August 29, 2014
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Tea bags used as sachets
Credit: John Lawton
You won't believe which ordinary household items will help spruce up your wardrobe.
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1 of 25

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Nestle tea bags scented with jasmine, mint, or vanilla into a dresser drawer to infuse your clothes with a fresh, subtle fragrance.

Tea bags used as sachets
Credit: John Lawton

1 of 25

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Help wet shoes preserve their shape―and speed up drying―by placing crumpled newspaper in them overnight.

Newspapers in a basket
Credit: John Kernick

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Velcro as Blouse Closer

Woman wearing a gaping striped blouse
Credit: Peter LaMastro

Prevent a blouse or jacket from gaping open by sewing small pieces of Velcro between the buttons.

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Pencil as Zipper Releaser

0603jacketzip-pencil
Credit: Mark Lund

Unstick a stubborn zipper by rubbing the teeth on both sides with a pencil—graphite is an excellent lubricant.

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Dryer Sheet as Static Stopper

Woman using a dryer sheet to remove static cling
Credit: James Baigrie

Stop static cling on clothes—or tame flyaway hair—by rubbing a sheet over the problem area.

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More new uses for dryer sheets: Insert half of one into a shoe, slipper, or sneaker to combat odor. (Bonus uses: Toss dryer sheets in hampers, on closet shelves, in diaper bags.)

Dryer sheets stuffed into shoes
Credit: Mark Weiss

6 of 25

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And run a threaded needle through a dryer sheet right before you begin sewing to prevent the thread from tangling.

Sewing implements
Credit: David Prince

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Wire Hanger as Static Stopper

New use for a hanger
Credit: David Prince

Nix static cling by running a wire hanger over the spots where your clothing tends to bunch or climb.

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Starch as Stain Blocker

Starch spray and sneakers
Credit: Aya Brackett

Spray starch on white sneakers to help repel dirt and grime and keep your kicks looking fresh from the box.

9 of 25

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Salt as Wine Stain Remover

woman with stain on her blouse
Credit: Monica Buck

Lift red wine stains from washables with this fix: Stretch fabric over a bowl, cover with salt, and then carefully pour boiling water over it.

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Emery Board as Stain Remover

Emery Board as Stain Remover
Credit: Monica Buck


Remove small stains from suede by gently rubbing the file (either side) across the problem area a few times to get rid of the splotch and refresh the nap.

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Flat Iron as Touch-Up Iron

Straightening iron and dress shirt
Credit: Kana Okada

Get between buttons, where a regular iron won’t fit, with a straightening iron. Try it on collar creases and minor wrinkles, too.

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Aluminum foil helps smooth out delicate fabrics that can’t take heat directly: Place a piece on your ironing board; lay the garment flat over it. Holding down the steam button, pass the iron over the fabric several times, keeping it three to four inches above the garment. Wet heat radiating from the foil will zap wrinkles.

Ironing with foil under garment
Credit: Quentin Bacon

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Baby Powder as Stain Guard

Baby powder, white shirt and iron on an ironing board
Credit: Monica Buck

Sprinkle a little on the shirt’s underarms and collar, then iron to prevent sweat stains on white shirts. The powder forms a barrier that keeps oil and grime from seeping into the threads.

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Traveling? Protect your nicest shoes from wear and tear by slipping them into a clean pair of men’s socks.

0409shoes-socks
Credit: Monica Buck

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Bubble Wrap as Jewelry Detangler

Jewelry wrapped in bubble wrap
Credit: Ellen Silverman

Place chains and earrings on a length of the plastic, roll tightly, and tape closed.

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Clear nail polish will keep a loose eyeglass screw in line: Tighten it, then dab polish across the top for a longer-lasting fix.

0509glasses-nail-polish
Credit: Formula Z/S

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If a screw has already gone missing, replace it with an earring for a temporary fix.

Post earring to fix eyeglasses
Credit: Burcu Avsar

18 of 25

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Vinegar as Shoe Cleaner

0203shoe-brush
Credit: David Prince

Erase salt stains from leather and suede shoes by making a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water and applying it with a cotton rag.

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White vinegar also makes wool sweaters fluffier: Drop in a couple of capfuls during the rinse cycle to give your wool cardis and pullovers an extra-soft feel.

Heinz White Vinegar and a teacup
Credit: James Baigrie

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Baby Wipes as Stain Removers

Baby wipe used to clean deodorant off of a sweater
Credit: Rick Lew

Has your deodorant left its mark? A baby wipe works to lift those hard-to-remove stains.

21 of 25

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Yes, Swiffer sheets do wonders on your floors and furniture, but you can use them to clean leather shoes, too. You’d be amazed how much dust clings to footwear.

0403shoes-swiffer-1
Credit: James Baigrie

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Lip Balm as Shoelace Sealer

Sneakers and a tube of Chapstick
Credit: Mark Lund

A bit of lip balm will keep shoelaces from coming undone. Coat the strings where you loop and knot them, and they won’t budge.

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Rubber Band as Waistband Extender

0303purple-button
Credit: Paul Whicheloe

Make pants pregnancy-proof by looping a rubber band through the buttonhole, then securing the band's end around the button, giving your belly a few more inches of breathing room.

24 of 25

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Ice-Cube Tray as Jewelry Organizer

0410jewelry-box
Credit: Alexandra Rowley

Store jewelry in ice-cube trays. Stack trays in a drawer for a multitiered alternative jewelry box.

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    1 of 25 Nestle tea bags scented with jasmine, mint, or vanilla into a dresser drawer to infuse your clothes with a fresh, subtle fragrance.
    2 of 25 Help wet shoes preserve their shape―and speed up drying―by placing crumpled newspaper in them overnight.
    3 of 25 Velcro as Blouse Closer
    4 of 25 Pencil as Zipper Releaser
    5 of 25 Dryer Sheet as Static Stopper
    6 of 25 More new uses for dryer sheets: Insert half of one into a shoe, slipper, or sneaker to combat odor. (Bonus uses: Toss dryer sheets in hampers, on closet shelves, in diaper bags.)
    7 of 25 And run a threaded needle through a dryer sheet right before you begin sewing to prevent the thread from tangling.
    8 of 25 Wire Hanger as Static Stopper
    9 of 25 Starch as Stain Blocker
    10 of 25 Salt as Wine Stain Remover
    11 of 25 Emery Board as Stain Remover
    12 of 25 Flat Iron as Touch-Up Iron
    13 of 25 Aluminum foil helps smooth out delicate fabrics that can’t take heat directly: Place a piece on your ironing board; lay the garment flat over it. Holding down the steam button, pass the iron over the fabric several times, keeping it three to four inches above the garment. Wet heat radiating from the foil will zap wrinkles.
    14 of 25 Baby Powder as Stain Guard
    15 of 25 Traveling? Protect your nicest shoes from wear and tear by slipping them into a clean pair of men’s socks.
    16 of 25 Bubble Wrap as Jewelry Detangler
    17 of 25 Clear nail polish will keep a loose eyeglass screw in line: Tighten it, then dab polish across the top for a longer-lasting fix.
    18 of 25 If a screw has already gone missing, replace it with an earring for a temporary fix.
    19 of 25 Vinegar as Shoe Cleaner
    20 of 25 White vinegar also makes wool sweaters fluffier: Drop in a couple of capfuls during the rinse cycle to give your wool cardis and pullovers an extra-soft feel.
    21 of 25 Baby Wipes as Stain Removers
    22 of 25 Yes, Swiffer sheets do wonders on your floors and furniture, but you can use them to clean leather shoes, too. You’d be amazed how much dust clings to footwear.
    23 of 25 Lip Balm as Shoelace Sealer
    24 of 25 Rubber Band as Waistband Extender
    25 of 25 Ice-Cube Tray as Jewelry Organizer

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