Real Simple
New Uses for Old Things
New Uses for Clothing

New Uses for Clothing

By Real Simple

Updated January 27, 2014

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Credit: Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Hidden tricks for tackling daily wardrobe dilemmas.

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Button as Necklace Pendant

Credit: Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Have one special button? Thread it onto a thin chain or a delicate piece of ribbon for a standout necklace.

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Ribbon as Shoelace

Credit: Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Let everyone know you march to the beat of your own drum; use colorful ribbon in place of shoelaces. Change when the mood strikes.

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Cotton Balls as Shoe Resizer

Credit: Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Give roomy heels and ballet flats a perfect fit (so you don't pull a Cinderella) by filling in the toe area with some cotton balls.

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Hanger as Ribbon Organizer

Credit: Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Turn a tangle of ribbons into a neat presentation. Hang coordinating colors over the prongs of a tie hanger.

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Glass Vase as Belt Corraller

Credit: Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

It's a cinch to keep belts organized and visible: Coil them into spirals and stack them on top of one another in a large clear vase. (Put favorite belts at the top for easy access.)

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Shoe Boxes as Drawer Dividers

Credit: Levi Brown

Time for your lingerie drawer to step into line. Cut shoe boxes in half, along the length or width, and fill the resulting compartments with folded briefs, socks, or stacked bras.

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Hair Elastic as Tights Bundler

Credit: Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Roll up pairs of stockings or leggings and wrap hair ties around them to keep the rolls from unraveling. It will be easier to find a specific pair on mornings when you're, well, tight on time.

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Salt as Stain Remover

Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Remove coffee and tea stains from the insides of cups by rubbing with a salted citrus peel.

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Buttons as Appetizer Stand

Credit: Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Here's a fanciful and fun way to serve cubed cheese, cherry tomatoes, and more: Place large buttons on a tray, spear the hors d'oeuvres with toothpicks, then anchor the toothpick ends in the buttons' holes.

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Panty Hose as Candle Cleaner

Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Revive a forgotten flickerer. Slide a dusty candle inside a stocking and roll it around.

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Button as Apron Hook

Credit: Philip Friedman; Styling: Linden Elstran

Cooking up a storm? For easy access, attach a button to the front of an apron so you can hang a pot holder or a looped dish towel from it.

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Socks as Floor Protector

Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Protect wood floors. Slide socks onto the legs of chairs and tables so they don’t scratch the floor when you rearrange the room (yet again).

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Felt Pads as Clothing Securer

Credit: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Help strappy garments stay on hangers. Affix a circle to each end.

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Lint Roller as Handbag Cleaner

Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Quickly clean the interior of your purse by running a lint roller over the lining. Submitted by: Dotchie

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Button as Earring Holder

Credit: Levi Brown

Travel is best done in pairs (think of Lewis and Clark or Thelma and Louise). To keep a set of earrings together on your next overnight jaunt, fasten them to a button so they won’t get lost in your suitcase pocket.

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Pant Hanger as Lingerie Dryer

Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Hang bras, hosiery, and other small items that can't go in the dryer on a mulit-level pant hanger for a compact drying rack. Submitted by: Bettys187

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Sandpaper as Knit Depiller

Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Wipe fine-grit sandpaper over a sweater in one direction—gently!—to lift pesky pills.

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Paper Clip as Zipper Pull

Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Temporarily replace a broken zipper tab by threading a paper clip through the hole. A safety pin also works. Submitted by: Katie12

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Sandpaper as Sole Scuffer

Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Fall for new shoes, not in them. Rub medium-grit sandpaper over the bottoms to give slippery soles some traction.

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Tissue Paper as Purse Shaper

Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Help a purse or boots to keep its shape with tissue stuffed inside.

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Tissue Paper as Wrinkle Preventer

Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

Avoid ironing while on the road. Pack clothes between layers of tissue paper and they’ll arrive wrinkle-free.

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Baby Powder as Stain Guard

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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Baby Wipes as Stain Removers

Credit: Rick Lew

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

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Bobby Pin as Pleat-Making Tool

Credit: Lucas Allen

Prep a pleated skirt for ironing by sliding a bobby pin onto each pleat at the hem to hold them all in place while you press. (Be sure to remove them afterward!)

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Candle as Zipper Fixer

Credit: David Prince

Release a stubborn zipper by lightly rubbing a candle along the teeth on both sides to smooth the way.

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Hair Spray as Lipstick Stain Remover

Credit: James Wojcik

Kiss that smudge of Really Red good-bye. If the fabric is machine washable, saturate the spot with hair spray, let it sit for 10 minutes, then dab with a damp cloth or sponge to remove. Launder as usual to wash out any residual stain and spray.

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Chip Clips as Clothes Hangers

Credit: Aimee Herring

Hold small coats in place on adult-size hangers. Use clips with rubberized grips to help items stay put. Not only will you have an organized coat closet, but you'll save money by not having to buy special kids' hangers.

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Clothespin as Hanger

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Use clips to prevent silky sleeveless shirts and dresses from slipping off the hanger. And you can say goodbye to wrinkled sundresses on the closet floor.

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Secure a Belt With Double-Sided Tape

Credit: John Lawton

Don’t let your too-long belt tail get caught between your legs. Keep it in line with a small bit of Scotch. Neat.

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Dryer Sheet as Static Stopper

Credit: James Baigrie

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

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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

Credit: Kana Okada

No time to drag out your iron and ironing board? A straightening iron works perfectly between buttons where a regular iron doesn’t fit. And it smooths collar creases and minor wrinkles. So you can look perfectly pressed when you're pressed for time.

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Brooch as Sweater Securer

Credit: Jim Franco

Adjust the fit of—and add a touch of sparkle to—a loose blouse or shirt by pinning it in back with a brooch. Or turn a cardigan into a form-fitting wrap sweater: Pull one side across the body and pin it in place.

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More

New Uses for Clothing

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Button as Necklace Pendant

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Ribbon as Shoelace

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Cotton Balls as Shoe Resizer

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Hanger as Ribbon Organizer

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Glass Vase as Belt Corraller

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Shoe Boxes as Drawer Dividers

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Hair Elastic as Tights Bundler

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Salt as Stain Remover

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Buttons as Appetizer Stand

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Panty Hose as Candle Cleaner

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Button as Apron Hook

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Socks as Floor Protector

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Felt Pads as Clothing Securer

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Lint Roller as Handbag Cleaner

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Button as Earring Holder

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Pant Hanger as Lingerie Dryer

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Sandpaper as Knit Depiller

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Paper Clip as Zipper Pull

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Sandpaper as Sole Scuffer

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Tissue Paper as Purse Shaper

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Tissue Paper as Wrinkle Preventer

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Baby Powder as Stain Guard

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Baby Wipes as Stain Removers

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Bobby Pin as Pleat-Making Tool

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Candle as Zipper Fixer

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Hair Spray as Lipstick Stain Remover