Eight great ways to get more life out of clothes

We’ve become a society that is quick to dispose of things that are broken rather than fixing them like we once would have, and the skills involved in fixing things are quickly disappearing. This goes for clothes too; while we once would have patched a hole, darned a sock, or re-lined a dress, nowadays we just throw them out and buy new ones. 

You don’t have to be a skilled seamstress or tailor to make your clothes last longer though, these simple tips will help you solve everyday fashion problems easily. It’s great for the environment, and even better for your hip pocket!

Read more: Vaseline has 20 uses you may not have realised

1. Add a keyring to your jeans

If you have a zipper that keeps working its way down during the day and embarrassing you at inopportune moments, try threading a keyring through the zip and popping it over the button. It will hold it up and let you get on with your day without worrying about being caught with your fly down!

2. Shaving cream for makeup stains

It sounds strange, but there’s no need to throw out that white shirt because you got some makeup smudged on it. Makeup can be difficult to get out, but a bit of shaving cream sprayed on the stain before washing will bring it right out.

3. Sweat stains

Don’t throw out those old shirts if it’s yellow sweat stains you’re worries about. Simply mix vinegar, baking soda, salt, and hydrogen peroxide together to make a paste and apply it to the stain. Rub it in, wash, and repeat until the stain is gone.

4. Say goodbye to loose threads

It’s so annoying when a thread gets pulled loose on a nice knit, but it’s super easy to fix. Just take a bobby pin, thread it onto the loose thread, and pull it through to tuck it back inside.

5. Loosen up a stuck zipper

If a zipper is stuck or difficult, rub a candle, crayon, or even a bar of soap on the zipper and it will slide easily again.

6. Hairspray and hand-sanitiser

A rogue pen leaking ink is a sure death for a shirt or pair of pants, right? Try spraying hairspray and hand-sanitiser onto the stain, it should lift right out.

7. Bring your suede back to life

Suede is one of those fabrics that really shows wear. Try using an emery board / nail file to rub away scuff marks.

8. Get out the vaso

Use a cotton bud dipped in petroleum jelly to buff away scuff marks in your leather goods and bring them back to life.