25 New Clothing-Care Uses for Old Things

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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