Replacing your favorite jeans or T-shirt is never easy. These are the go-to items you’ve worn for years—you’ve lived a lot of life in these worn-out clothes. We’ve got some hacks to help you extend the life of your older clothing so you won’t need to run out to the store. Most of the tips we have below can be done with items you probably already have in your apartment. Here’s how you can give your old clothes new life.
Shape them up
Removes pills from sweaters, pants, jackets or anything else.
Over years of wear, knitted fibers begin to push out from the surface of clothing, causing small bundles of fuzz to sprout on the surface of your clothing. To remove these spherical bundles, lay your clothing on a flat surface. Use a new disposable razor to make quick strokes against the pills. Don’t press the blade into the clothing—you don’t want to snag the fabric. Use this method for heavy sweaters or lightweight knits.
Pants into shorts
Turn a pair of denim pants into shorts—no sewing required.
If you’re looking for a way to give your old jeans a new life, try turning them into the perfect cut-off shorts for the summer. To do this, mark where you want the shorts to fall using chalk or a pencil. Cut a straight line across the leg about two inches farther down the leg from your line. Now, try the shorts on to test them out. If you want to cuff them, this might be the perfect length, or go back and repeat the cutting until they are just right. Don’t get rid of the leftover legs that remain—you can use them later as patches.
Brighten shoes
Clean dirt and scuffs from canvas shoes.
Most of us are proud owners of old sneakers that have carried you through the years. Day after day, you put them on without a second thought. They are perfectly formed to your feet and there is no way you’ll replace them without a fight. Brighten canvas shoes by removing the laces and soaking them in warm water for ten minutes. Mix one tablespoon of hot water, one tablespoon of white vinegar and one tablespoon of baking soda until it becomes a paste. Use a toothbrush to work the paste into the canvas and rubber. Thoroughly rinse the shoes with warm water and air dry.
Repurpose
Turn clothes into rags.
Sometimes old clothing is so out of style that it’s time to say goodbye. Much of what was “trendy” ten years ago is not going to be worn out of the house anytime soon. Many worn clothing items make the best cleaning rags because the fibers are soft and absorbent. T-shirts make great dusting rags, flannel shirts are great for polishing glass and even your car. Cut fabric into squares to be used during your regular cleaning routine.
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