We all have that one item of clothing that we refuse to part with. But what do you do when wear and tear start to set it?
It might seem like your only option is to throw it away. The good news is that we don’t have to part with our favorite clothes because of some stains. In fact, there are tons of great clothing life hacks that’ll let you keep clothes longer.
These hacks don’t just stop at stains either. Ill-fitting and wrinkled clothes have hacks too.
Keep reading to discover 8 clothing life hacks you need to know.
1. Getting Rid of Armpit Stains
Armpit stains tend to be the absolute worst. Not only do they usually make you throw away your favorite shirt, but it seems like there’s no avoiding them for some people, especially on white tops.
Well, with just a few household items you can erase those pesky armpit stains and any odors that may have stuck around. All you have to do is mix lemon juice with baking soda and scrub the stains.
For particularly bad armpit stains, make a thicker paste by mixing in some water. Apply to the stain and let sit for an hour before putting it in the wash. Your shirts should come out looking good as new!
2. Removing Pilling
Everyone loves a nice cozy sweater when the temperatures begin to drop. But it seems that the warmer the sweater, the more it’s susceptible to pilling.
Not only does pilling make your favorite sweater, blanket, or sheets look old and worn out, but those pesky fuzz balls seem to fall out and make it to every corner of your house!
An easy trick to remove pilling is by using a razor. Gently run it over the affected area, being careful not to rip or tear it. Then use a lint roller or a piece of tape to gently pick up the excess fabric.
3. Expanding Shoes
Have you ever fallen in love with a pair of shoes and convinced yourself that it’s okay that they’re a little smaller – beauty is pain, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be. We have two different tricks that can help you expand those shoes that fit just a tad too snug.
The first method involves heat. Slip on a pair of big fuzzy socks. If you don’t have any, that’s fine! Instead, wear a few pairs of socks. Using a blow dryer, heat the area that’s too tight until you feel it loosen.
The second method involves ice. Fill a ziplock bag full of ice and shove it in your shoes. Place them in the freezer overnight and remove the ice the next morning. Once your shoes thaw, they should fit much better than before.
4. Removing Makeup Stains
If you’ve ever fallen asleep with your makeup still on or accidentally brushed your face with your sleeve you’ll know how annoying it is to get makeup out of clothes.
Well, luckily, there is an easier way to remove makeup stains. Simply rub some shaving cream over the stains and then throw it in the wash. Voila, the makeup stains should disappear!
5. Getting Rid of Oil Stains
Oil stains are known for being particularly difficult to remove. Just one drop of an oil-based salad dressing can be enough to ruin a shirt.
But, not anymore. All you need for this handy trick is some baby powder. Cover the stain with a nice layer of baby powder and let it sit overnight. Pop it in the wash the next day and your oil stain should lift right out.
6. Keeping Dark Jeans Dark
Dark jeans are a great and versatile item of clothing that can make any wardrobe better. They can be used for casual and more dressy outfits, so it’s vital that they keep their color. You can do this using one of our preventative clothing life hacks.
When washing dark jeans, just add some distilled vinegar. It’ll help prevent the color from fading, so you can wear those jeans longer.
7. Ironing Without an Iron
There’s a big debate about whether ironing or steaming is better, but what if you only have one or two things that have wrinkles? It seems like a lot of hassle, but luckily there are several methods to remove wrinkles without an iron or steamer.
The first method is the hair straightener method. If you have a small area, such as a collar or cuff that needs to be ironed, just use a hair straightener! They heat up a lot faster and they are usually kept in a more convenient place than an iron or steamer.
If you don’t have a straightener, or if you have whole items of clothing that need to be ironed, you can try the second method: the shower method. Just hang your clothes in the bathroom and enjoy a nice, hot shower. The steam will work the wrinkles out while you shower, so it’ll be ready to wear when you get out.
The third of our clothing life hacks to remove wrinkles is a DIY wrinkle spray. Just put your concoction in a spray bottle and lightly spray your wrinkled clothes. Hang it up (or lay it flat) to dry, and it’ll be wrinkle-free in just a few minutes.
If none of these works for you, you may have to iron some items. But, there are ways to make ironing easier too.
8. Getting Out Red Wine Stains
Everyone loves a nice glass of red wine until that wine ends up on your clothes! Along with oil stains, red wine stains can be the trickiest to get out.
However, they can be removed with a surprising ingredient: white wine. Soak the stain with white wine and then cover with a thick paste made from baking soda and water. Let it sit for an hour then toss it in the wash.
The Best Clothing Life Hacks
A stain doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to ditch your favorite clothes anymore. Stains due to makeup, red wine, and oil can all be removed with some simple household items. Ironing and preventing fading are also easier than ever with our clothing life hacks.
Did you enjoy this article? Check out some of our other hacks and tips to keep making your life easier.