Clothes are a big part of our lives, whether we’re into high fashion or just trying to make sure we’re not flashing anyone. But unfortunately, they can get really expensive really fast. Another frustrating thing is that people tend to go through a lot of clothing. The average person tosses about 81 pounds of clothing into landfills every year. Not only is that bad for the environment, but it’s also wasteful in other ways, too!
Altogether, that’s about 15 million tons of textile waste produced every year in the United States.
So how can you battle this — both from an environmental standpoint and the point of, well, looking out for your wallet?
One great way is to buy clothing secondhand. You should also donate your used items rather than tossing them out. There’s truth to the saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
The other way to save money on clothes is to learn how to fix and repurpose them. There are hundreds of lifehacks you can use to return your clothes to new condition. Or, if you’re feeling like an upgrade, use one of these handy hacks to make your clothes into something totally new!
Makeup is designed to stay in place, so it can be difficult to remove. To get it off clothes without any fuss, spray some shaving cream over the stain and massage gently into the cloth.
4. Paint clear nail polish over buttons to keep them from falling off.
Losing buttons can quickly turn embarrassing when it means flashing someone by mistake! To keep your buttons in place, paint a little clear nail polish over the surface.
White sneakers are the perfect addition to any wardrobe. To keep your sneakers shining, give them a regular scrub with some baking soda, water, and a toothbrush.
Angora is a beautiful, classy material, but it’s also prone to shedding. To save your sweater and extend its life, pop it in the freezer for about three hours to keep it in pristine form.
Sweat stains can ruin your clothes. The good news is that you can get rid of them fairly easily with a spray down of water and either vinegar or lemon juice.
12. Remove foundation stains on clothes with shaving cream.
Shaving cream is definitely your friend when it comes to stain removal. If your foundation rubs off on your collar, just give it a little spritz of shaving cream and be on your way.
There are few things more annoying than having your pants cling to your legs with static. Pin a couple of safety pins along the inside of your pants to dispel it.
There are dozens of online tutorials that teach how to reimage clothes. Before you decide to throw an old item away or donate it, find out if there’s a fun way you can rework it.
16. Extend the life of your jeans with a vinegar bath.
Broken zippers are so annoying, and they can ruin your favorite clothes. Thankfully, you can usually repair them by rubbing a little bit of wax along the zippered seam.
You need three things to stretch tight shoes: thick socks, a hairdryer, and obviously, a pair of shoes. Put the socks and shoes on and heat them until they stretch.
Sometimes, try as you might, your end up with a run in your hose. If you’re not in a position to change them and don’t want the tear to get worse, just paint the edges with a bit of clear nail polish.
This time, we’re not talking about shaving cream foam — we mean the kind of foam you’ll find on padded clothes hangers or makeup sponges. A couple of blots with that and the stain will disappear.
We won’t ask how you got lipstick on your shirt but it’s not the end of the world. All you have to do is spray the stain with some hairspray before you toss it in the laundry.
Do you have smelly shoes after a workout at the gym? Before you put them away, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda, a common household deodorizer, inside.
Jeans are a staple of any wardrobe but they;re prone to getting smelly. To help your jeans stay in better shape, pop them into the freezer for a couple of hours.
One of the best things about the T-shirts you’ve had for a long time is their comfortable softness. You can get this texture ultra-fast by soaking new shirts in a salt bath for three days, then running them through a wash cycle.
Have you ever sat down on someone else’s chewing gum? Just leave some ice on the gum for about 25 minutes. This will harden it and add moisture, reducing stickiness.
Baby wipes are an amazingly versatile toiletry to have on hand. They’re perfect for removing makeup, cleaning up grime, and even getting deodorant marks off your clothes..
If you enjoy wearing low-backed dresses and shirts but don’t want to show off your bra, you can make your own in just a few easy steps. You can find a simple tutorial here.
There’s nothing like a gorgeous pair of leather boots. Unfortunately, winter roads and walkways can cause significant salt stains. Scrub with body wash, then spray with vinegar. Then massage them with conditioner.
If you frequently wear skirts and live in a particularly windy region, sew a few pennies into the hem of your skirt to give it some weight. That way, you avoid flashing someone on the street.
Maternity clothes are incredibly expensive. To turn your regular jeans into maternity jeans, just tuck a regular tank top into the waistband, then pull down to cover your open zipper.
48. Make your jeans boot-compatible with a pair of knee-highs.
Boots with jeans is a classic look, but not everyone likes wearing skinny jeans. To wear regular jeans with boots, stuff them into a pair of knee-high socks. Then put your boots on and enjoy your new look.
49. Temporarily save your ripped pants with a stapler.
It’s not a permanent fix, but it’s a way to keep your pants in one piece until you can change. Just staple the fabric a couple of times until you can get out your sewing kit.
Having a button pop off your shirt can mean having to toss out the whole thing. The next time you lose a button and you don’t have a needle and thread on hand, fix it temporarily with a bent paper clip.
Clothes are a big part of our lives, whether we’re into high fashion or just trying to make sure we’re not flashing anyone. But unfortunately, they can get really expensive really fast. Another frustrating thing is that people tend to go through a lot of clothing. The average person tosses about 81 pounds of clothing into landfills every year. Not only is that bad for the environment, but it’s also wasteful in other ways, too!
Altogether, that’s about 15 million tons of textile waste produced every year in the United States.
So how can you battle this — both from an environmental standpoint and the point of, well, looking out for your wallet?
One great way is to buy clothing secondhand. You should also donate your used items rather than tossing them out. There’s truth to the saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
The other way to save money on clothes is to learn how to fix and repurpose them. There are hundreds of lifehacks you can use to return your clothes to new condition. Or, if you’re feeling like an upgrade, use one of these handy hacks to make your clothes into something totally new!
