24 Genius Clothing Hacks That Are Easy And Cheap

There are some people who take great pride in their wardrobe and manage to keep their garb perpetually in tip top shape for the next wear. However, then there are many of us whose clothes end up becoming unintentional food ponchos by the end of the day. While there’s usually an extra level of care that goes into our favorite articles of clothing, a majority fall victim to the unavoidable misadventures that plague our day-to-days.

Before running off to the mall to restock on some more temporary garb, there are a number of things you can do to ensure the longevity of your clothing as well as fix outfit blunders. These little tricks will make sure your closet remains intact despite the typical clothing complications many of us regularly face.

Here are 24  genius clothing hacks that cheap, easy, and will help you get a much grander lifespan from your wardrobe.

1. Break in shoes painlessly.
While you aren’t going to buy a shoe that doesn’t fit, everyone knows the first couple of wears can feel like taking a cheese grater to your heel. Luckily, you can skip this inconvenience by breaking them in without actually wearing them. Simply fill a zip-lock bag with water, place it inside your new shoes, and toss them in the freezer. The water will expand when it turns into ice and will help stretch out your shoes for a more comfortable first wear.

2. Reverse pilling.
One blatant sign of an old piece of clothing is when it starts to pill, those small balls of fluff that tend to form on knitted fabric. However, you can make your clothing look as good as new with the help of a disposable razor. Lay the article of clothing on a flat surface and use the razor to swipe along the pilled area.

3. Maintain the shape of knee-high boots.
Tall boots may look great on, but they can be quite a nuisance to store, which often results in them losing their initial shape. A simple trick to keep your boots standing tall is to cut up an old pool noodle and place them inside the leg hole.

4. Re-thread a drawstring.
Anyone who has ever had their hood drawstring go AWOL knows that it’s a true test of patience to re-thread it. Luckily, there’s a simple solution to this hassle that will save you your sanity. Thread the drawstring into a plastic straw and staple it in place. The straw offers the perfect combination of sturdiness and flexibility to re-thread with ease.

5. Keep your sweater from shedding.
There’s no denying the unparalleled softness of an angora sweater, but many of us will avoid wearing this material in fear that we’ll shed like a human animal everywhere we go. However, you can help reduce the sweater’s shedding by placing it in a freezer overnight.

6. Makeshift shoe deodorizer.
Stinky shoes? You can keep your footwear smelling fresh with the help of some dry tea bags. All you have to do is place a tea bag with a scent you admire and place them in your shoes after wearing them. The tea bags absorb the moisture and leave a whiff-worthy smell behind after.

7. Conquer the tiny wrinkles with ease.
It’s not always ideal to crack out the iron and ironing board for a minor wrinkle. That’s where hair straighteners can come in very handy. Make sure the plates are clean first, and then use the tiny irons to smooth out those pesky wrinkles.

8. Diminish deodorant stains.
Despite our best efforts, deodorant stains can somehow manage to leave their markings on our newly put-on clothing. Instead of opting for another spin in the washing machine, grab some baby wipes! These versatile little skin protectors can quickly and effectively diminish a deodorant stain in seconds.

9. Keep your buttons from falling off.
Replacing a button may be easy enough of a task, but not all buttons are replaceable. To make sure that your buttoned attire stays that way, you can use some clear nail polish. Applying clear nail polish over each button will help secure them in place.

10. Maximize closet storage space.
If you’re a bit of a clothing hoarder, you’ve probably come to the point where fitting items in your closet has become a game of Jenga. To maximize your closet storage space, start collecting soda can tabs. You can slide the tab over the hook, which will provide you with a second hook for a hanger.

11. Keep your zipper zipped.
It’s never a confidence boost to look down and realize that your fly has been open for an undetermined amount of time. To make sure that your zipper remains zipped, all you need is the help of a key chain ring. Hook the key chain ring onto the end of your zipper and then use it to secure it over the button.

12. Speed up dryer times.
When you’ve only got a few articles of clothing to dry and you’re in a rush, waiting for the dryer can be quite cumbersome. However, there is a way to speed things up a bit. Throw a dry bath towel in with your wet clothes and they’ll dry much quicker than they would without.

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13. Save the suede.
Anyone who has ever owned a pair of suede shoes knows that maintaining them can be more of a hassle than they’re worth. Luckily, there’s an easy solution to rid them of those pesky stains. Micellar water has been found to be an effective tool in reversing suede shoe stain damage.

14. Get rid of grease stains.
Grease stains can be a real nuisance to get out without making them worse. However, there’s a household product that most of us have that can save the day: dish soap! Just rub the detergent on the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes. Wash the garment after and the grease stain should be out of sight.

15. Stop hosiery runs in their tracks.
If your tights have a small run or snag, there’s a quick way to prevent it from getting larger. All you need to do is apply some clear nail polish on on the edges of the tear and wait for it to dry. This should effectively prevent the run from increasing in size.

16. Remove red wine stains.
Wined and dined a little too hard? Red wine stains can be a real burden, but if you’re a fan of white as well then you’re in luck. Simply soak the affected area in white wine for a few minutes before washing it and your article of clothing should be free of red!

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17. Get rid of lipstick stains.
Whether intentional or not, sometimes lipstick finds its way on clothing, which can seem like a nightmare to clean off. However, don’t fret if you’ve got some hairspray lying around somewhere. Spray the stained area with hairspray (make sure it’s not dry-clean only) and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Lightly dab the stain after and then proceed to wash the article of clothing.

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18. Remove bad jeans odors.
Most of us try and get as many wears as we can out of our jeans so they don’t fade in the wash. However, this can result in some unwanted odors. To help kill odor-causing bacteria, place your jeans in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer overnight.

19. Get rid of armpit stains.
Armpit stains are never a good look, but sometimes they are unavoidable. To get rid of them, scrub the stain with a mix of lemon juice and water before washing. If the stain still prevails, you can turn to baking soda and water. Rub the mixture on the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse it before washing.

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20. Hide your bra strap.
If you plan on donning an open back number but aren’t looking to go sans support, you can make use of a bra extender, which are easy to find or make at home. This extender allows you to reroute your bra strap so that it goes unseen.

21. Skip the change room.
It can be a hassle to have to try on a pair of pants in a busy store, but there’s a little trick you can do to see if they’ll fit without actually having to wear them. Put the waistline around your neck and this should indicate whether or not it will fit your waistline.

22. Remove makeup collar stains.
Shirt collars can quickly become unintentional palettes if you aren’t careful with your makeup. Luckily, there’s an easy way to remove these stains, and chances are, you are already equipped with the product to do so. Simply use shaving cream to rid your shirt collar or other affected area of makeup stains.

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23. Free a stubborn zipper.
It can be an endlessly frustrating experience when you have a stubborn zipper that’s prone to getting stuck on the tracks. However, you can make it glide with ease once again with the help of either wax paper, a candle, or a graphite pencil. Just rub whichever is available to you on the zipper prongs for an easier zip.

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24. Get a grip.
Have a pair of shoes that are prone to slipping and sliding? Keep yourself standing my making your own grip on the soles. First, file the sole down with a heavy-duty nail file to create a rough texture. Then, make grip-like lines on the sole with industrial-strength glue and wait for it to dry.

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