13 Quick Fixes for Your Wardrobe
Want to update your wardrobe without the shopping spree? Keep your clothes and your closet looking their best with these easy DIY hacks.
By
Bruce and Jeanne Lubin
Bruce and Jeanne Lubin
September 19, 2018
3 minute read
Save space, time, and money! From storage to packing, these 13 tips will keep your clothes organized and feeling like new.
Keep Clothing at Its Best
- No More Shoulder Bumps
Hanging is often the best space-saving strategy in your closet. But what can you do with sweaters? Hanging them the usual way leads to shoulder bumps—and we’re way past the decade when big shoulders were fashionable. There is a sweater-safe technique! First, lay your sweater flat, then bring arm over to arm to fold in half. Now, grab your hanger and place the hook in the armpit, with the top pointing down. Fold the waist up and sleeves diagonally over the hanger. - Fix That Pilling
Sweaters pilling with those annoying fiber bits? You can buy a fabric shaver to solve the problem. Another (cost-saving) strategy: Check your household beauty supplies. First, call into action a razor with a sharp blade and no lotion strip. Glide the razor over any areas of clothing that have started to pill. It’ll work gentle magic but leave a pile of pills. Your next tool: a Velcro roller/curler. Simply roll it over the pills to pick them up easily—and maybe even erase more pilling along the way. - Spray Away Wrinkles
Why buy a wrinkle-releasing spray when you can make your own with ingredients you probably have on hand right now? In a spray bottle, add 2 cups water, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1 teaspoon hair conditioner; shake to combine. Spray clothing until damp, smooth with your hands, and let dry. - Kettle Steam Solution
Minor wrinkles in your clothing? Fill your teakettle with water and bring it to a full boil. Hold the clothing item 8 to 12 inches from the steaming spout for a wrinkle-battling blast. - Create a Garment Bag
Taking a lot of hangered items on vacation or to a new home? Keep them protected and gathered with a large kitchen trash bag. Simply slip the hanging items into the bag from the bottom up, then crisscross the bag’s loop handles around the hangers to hold them together.
Tips for Shoes and Accessories
- Tight Shoes? Give Them a Stretch
Rubbing alcohol can help you increase your shoe size. Apply a thin coating on the insides of your shoes, then walk around in the shoes until the alcohol dries. You can repeat the process to further the stretch and work magic. - Stop the Pinch
Here’s another way to stretch out pinchy shoes. Fill two quart-size plastic bags about one-fourth of the way with water, place one in each shoe, then put them in the freezer until it turns to ice. Let the ice thaw for around 20 minutes before trying to remove the bags so you don’t accidentally damage your kicks. - Clean with a Tablet
To loosen dirt and get rid of odor, place non-leather sneakers in a basin with warm water and a couple of denture tablets. Use an old toothbrush to scrub stubborn stains. Rinse shoes and let them air-dry. - Love Your Leather
Tackle dirt, residue, and even salt on your leather shoes with two simple steps. First, in a spray bottle, mix equal parts vinegar and water. Spray on a clean cloth and wipe your shoes. To guard against drying from the vinegar, finish by applying leather polish or (even easier!) a small amount of hair conditioner. Buff with a clean cloth, and your shoes are back in business. - Chase Away Odor
Stinky shoes? Make your own odor solution! Mix ½ cup baking soda with 10 drops essential oil (choose your favorite scent). Cut the feet off a pair of hose or tights, then place half of the mixture in each foot and tie in a knot. Each little odor-fighting bundle will fit perfectly inside a shoe! - Slide in Earrings
The secret to earrings that navigate holes with comfort and ease? Rub a small amount of petroleum jelly onto the earring stems. - Bundle Undies
Packing bras presents a challenge. The best technique to save space and protect their shape: Stack them inside each other, fold them in half, and tuck underwear in the space between the cups. - Guard Your Razor
No cap for your razor? Cover the blades with a large binder clip to protect your fingers when digging around in your cosmetics bag.
About the Author
Bruce Lubin and Jeanne Bossolina-Lubin are the proud parents of three boys and more than a dozen books. After saving thousands per year using everyday tips and simple lifehacks, they started their own business in the hopes of sharing their knowledge with others. They have been known to go into their friends’ refrigerators to turn their eggs upside down so that they last longer.