In a time when sustainability is more important than ever, it’s better to fix your clothes than to throw them away and buy them again. Here are some tips for fixing your clothes. Let’s get started!
1. Stop your sweaters from shedding by sticking them in the freezer overnight
If you have a cashmere or wool sweater that won’t stop shedding, toss it in the freezer before each wear.
2. Toss your jeans in a plastic bag and stick them in the freezer at night to remove bad odors
The freezer will kill most of the odor-causing bacteria, and you don’t have to worry about the dye in your denim fading from overzealous washing.
3. Tighten your sunglasses with a dab of clear nail polish
If the arm of your sunglasses is a bit loose and you don’t have a tiny screwdriver handy, paint a small bit of polish over the hinge to temporarily tighten it.
4. Erase unsightly armpit stains with lemon juice or baking soda
Scrub out the stains with a mixture of lemon juice and water. For tough armpit stains, try rubbing a paste of baking soda and water on the stain, letting it sit for a few minutes, and then rinsing it off before throwing it in the wash.
5. Paint clear nail polish over a loose button thread to temporarily stop it from unraveling
No need to learn how to sew on a button just yet.
6. Clean stubborn dirt off suede shoes with a nail file
Just buff it right out.
7. Scrub off water stains on leather boots with a soft toothbrush and vinegar
If your boots are ruined from water, snow, salt, or all of the above, dip a soft-bristled toothbrush in white vinegar and gently rub to remove the stain.
8. Fix a scuff on a patent leather shoe with a cotton swab and some petroleum jelly
9. Remove red wine stains with white wine
Soak the spot in white wine for a few minutes to pretreat the stain before washing.
10. Stop a run in your tights with clear nail polish
11. Fix a stuck zipper with a cotton swab and petroleum jelly
12. Remove deodorant marks with the foam cover of a dry clean hanger
Rubbing the spot with a pair of light-wash jeans works well too (the dye from dark jeans might transfer onto the fabric).
13. Spray a small amount of vodka on your clothes to eliminate strong odors
If you don’t have time to wash a shirt before wearing it again but it has a strong, lingering smell, just spray on some vodka and let it dry. The alcohol will kill odor-causing bacteria.
14. Fix foundation stains with a little bit of shaving cream
If you take off your shirt and accidentally smudge your makeup on the collar, just wipe a dollop of shaving cream on the spot to pretreat it before tossing it in the wash.
15. Use hairspray to remove a lipstick stain
Spray the fabric (make sure it’s not dry-clean only) with hairspray, and let it sit for a few minutes. Dab the stain, and then toss it in the washer.
16. Fix underwire that’s poking out of your bra with a patch of adhesive moleskin
Inspect the hole that the underwire left behind in the fabric to determine how big your patch should be. You’ll want your patch to be big enough to cover both the hole itself and the area around it to make sure there’s enough adhesive to keep it securely in place.
Once you know what size it should be, use a sharp pair of scissors to cut out the moleskin patch.
Remove the adhesive backing and apply the patch over the hole. Press the patch down firmly for several seconds to make sure it stays put. And just like that, you’re done! Your underwire woes are no more, and you can once again wear your bra without fear of bodily harm.
17. Use Dawn Dishwashing Liquid to lift oil stains from delicate clothing
The dish soap will remove oil or grease and is also gentle enough to use on clothes.
source: cosmopolitan
photo: KATHLEEN KAMPHAUSEN
