New Clothing-Care Uses for Old Things

You won’t believe which ordinary household items will help spruce up your wardrobe.

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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.

John Lawton

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

John Kernick

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Velcro as Blouse Closer

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

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

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.)

Mark Weiss

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

David Prince

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Wire Hanger as Static Stopper

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

Aya Brackett

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

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Salt as Wine Stain Remover

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

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

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.

Quentin Bacon

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Baby Powder as Stain Guard

Baby powder, white shirt and iron on an ironing board

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.

Monica Buck

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Bubble Wrap as Jewelry Detangler

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.

Formula Z/S

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

Burcu Avsar

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Vinegar as Shoe Cleaner

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.

James Baigrie

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Baby Wipes as Stain Removers

Baby wipe used to clean deodorant off of a sweater

Rick Lew

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

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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.

James Baigrie

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Lip Balm as Shoelace Sealer

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

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.

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Ice-Cube Tray as Jewelry Organizer

Alexandra Rowley

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

Replay gallery

25 New Clothing-Care Uses for Old Things

1 of 26

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

2 of 26

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

3 of 26

Velcro as Blouse Closer

4 of 26

Pencil as Zipper Releaser

5 of 26

Dryer Sheet as Static Stopper

6 of 26

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 26

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

8 of 26

Wire Hanger as Static Stopper

9 of 26

Starch as Stain Blocker

10 of 26

Salt as Wine Stain Remover

11 of 26

Emery Board as Stain Remover

12 of 26

Flat Iron as Touch-Up Iron

13 of 26

14 of 26

Baby Powder as Stain Guard

15 of 26

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

16 of 26

Bubble Wrap as Jewelry Detangler

17 of 26

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 26

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

19 of 26

Vinegar as Shoe Cleaner

20 of 26

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 26

Baby Wipes as Stain Removers

22 of 26

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 26

Lip Balm as Shoelace Sealer

24 of 26

Rubber Band as Waistband Extender

25 of 26

Ice-Cube Tray as Jewelry Organizer

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