Disinfecting Old Hats And ShoesI read recently somewhere that among the things you should NOT buy used are shoes and hats. Hmmm - I have been doing that for years with no bad results, but in this day of proliferating bugs, I suppose we all should be very careful.
Stretching Tight Boots and ShoesI have really big muscular calves and wide feet (thanks, Mum!), making it very hard for me to fit into shoes I fancy. I bought these suede boots and pumps online because they were dirt cheap and super cute. When they arrived, not surprisingly, I could not fit into them.
Homemade "No Show" SocksMake your own "no show" socks. Cut the panty part off the pantyhose. Stretch the open end of the cut off stocking over your foot. Cut off the excess stocking off, leaving a seam allowance of 1/4 inch.
Don't Shrink Your CrocsI purchased my first pair of Crocs this year and was really enjoying them especially working out in the garden. Crocs are made of Croslite which is a comfortable material that shapes itself according to the wearer's feet. I learned to not put my Crocs out in the hot sun for a long time, especially if they are wet.
Prolonging the Life of PantyhoseOk, I am a HUGE pantyhose fan and I try to wear them every day. I adore the way they add contrast to my legs, help shape my body, the delicate hug and compression, the sexy "Hey, here are my legs!" shimmer, and the concealment of imperfections and their transformation into testaments of feminine power and grace. Even their scent is admired by many men and women alike.
Ask for a DiscountI shop at TJ Maxx or Marshalls for past season sneakers because they are always 50%+ off from retail price.
Decorate Hats with Earrings or PinsHere is a use for single earrings or rarely worn pins. Put them on the brim of a winter hat! You can give these pieces a second life.
Ponytail Band for Tight WaistbandIf your trouser or skirt waistband is a bit too tight, tie a pony tail band to the button hole and loop it onto the button to fasten.
Wear Panties over HoseIf you wear nylons or leggings or tights, you know how they bag in the crotch, or creep down and your legs look all wrinkly? Wear a pair of panties over the top of them.
Keep Sneakers SnugI can't believe that I never knew this until the salesperson at my shoestore told me when buying sneakers! I did always wonder why some sneakers had very long laces.
Use Hairspray on Black FabricsUsing pump style hair spray.
Buy Sweat Shirts at the Thrift StoreI've always bought my sweat shirts at Thrift Stores due to the fact I've always had dogs. I prefer the heavier material type because they hold up better to rough play and yard work.
Add Extra Sole and Heel to New ShoesMy grandmother used to wear ladies' flat lace up shoes, and always had an extra sole and heel put on each new pair before she started wearing them. She would then get them redone every time the extra sole and heel wore out, so the originals were never worn or damaged, and the shoes lasted much longer.
Ball Chain Keychain to Keep Zipper UpDo you have a pair of pants where the zipper seems to always fall down? Here is a quick solution that works really well. Use one of those small ball chain keychains to tether the zipper to your pants button. Simply string the chain through the hole in the zipper tab and attach the ends.
Stop Bra Straps from SlippingTry nipple pasties on your shoulders to stop a loose bra strap from slipping They are flesh coloured with a thin gel to give comfort and grip. They are cheap, reusable and self-adhesive.
Patching JeansI have a 20 something neighbor who frequently needs his jeans patched. DH and I trade favors with him and his parents so I patch his jeans when they need it.
Band-Aid for Slipping Bra StrapsUse a Band-Aid to hold your slipping bra strap in place. Simply place the
Resizing a Large HatHere is a great way to make a large hat smaller.
Make Buttons Stay on LongerCover your button threads on any piece of clothing with clear nail polish.This will make the buttons last longer. It helps the threads endure the heat.
Pants Ex-panderThis comes in handy for those times when you just ate and need a little more room in your pants. All you have to have is a small rubber band loop it through the opening and then it makes a loop for you to put on your button of your pants. So easy to do.
Making Non-Slip HangersInstead of buying expensive hangers to keep your silky shirts looking nice and from falling off of the hanger, buy plastic hangers and make a zig zag line of hot glue across the hanger. Ta-da! No slip grip!
Extending the Life of PantyhosePantyhose are getting expensive and I work in an office and need to wear them everyday. Whenever I get one leg that has a noticeable run or hole. I cut of the one leg. Then I use it either with a pair that the other leg has been cutoff.
Wear Socks Inside OutI found if you have chipped toenails, scratchy corns or rough heels that socks tend to stick to them when pulling it on your foot. One day, I decided to turn my sock inside out and wear it.
Breaking in New ShoesI was getting blisters from my new shoes. A neighbor told me to rub clear deodorant where I was getting the blisters. This helped until I broke them in.
Stop Static Cling With Hand LotionRub a small amount of lotion onto your hands then rub your palms over your pantyhose or slip. This works, I do it all the time. There is nothing more aggravating than static cling. Lotion is usually something you have in your purse so if you forget before you leave the house you can do it at work.
Recycle Elastic From UnderwearBefore you toss that saggy underwear, cut off the elastic and you have it to re-use. This is also true for bras and other lingerie which has elastic.
Check Clearance Racks for ShoesNothing beats a yard sale or consignment shops, but always look for the clearance rack at any store. I've found some great shoes at Bob's stores, Sears, JC Penney, Lord and Taylor, Payless, etc.
Buy Brand Name Shoes OnlineAs I have back problems, there is only one shoe that I can wear comfortably. It is the Easy Spirit Traveltime clog. It doesn't matter where I buy them, they fit comfortably. They are usually about $70.
Go Barefoot Whenever PossibleI agree that you should buy decent, well-fitting shoes instead of cheap ones but sometimes this is really not possible. Forty years back after buying the children properly fitting shoes, there was usually only enough money left for jumble sale shoes for me.
Cover Clothing Stains With PaintI have a nice pseudo-Irish off white sweater in raw silk. When it got washed, a pinkish stain got on the bottom part. It's smaller than the bottom of a glass but unsightly.
Use Rings As A Scarf SlideWhenever I have rings that are too small for me or that I don't wear any longer, I use them on a scarf. I simply put the scarf on and slide both sides of the scarf through the ring then tie a knot.
Use Clip-on Earring As Clothing AccessoryIf you have stray clip-on earrings lying around, clip one to the button placket of your shirt or even just the top and you have a little 'brooch' of sorts. Fun for kids' dress-up things! My daughter loves to put jewelry on!
Braid Winter ScarvesI have found that by braiding two winter scarves together seperating them into three ends hanging down (it will be uneven but no one will notice), that it is much warmer. I secured it with a fancy hair elastic.
Preventing Blisters in Tight ShoesI found that swathing between my toes lightly with lotion, vaseline or face cream before I put on my socks eases this friction before a blister can form. Any other ideas out there? Placing lambswool became a problem keeping it in place.
Deodorizing Sock Shoe InsertsMake shoe inserts from old socks. Stuff each sock with fiberfill or cotton from old pillow or stuffed toys, add a small amount of baking soda to help absorb odors, and machine stitch or hand stitch the opening closed.
Waxing "Rough" ZippersI have a couple of pairs of jeans with zippers that are difficult to zip up. They do not zip as smoothly as they used to. I took an old tapered candle and rubbed it up and down both sides of the zipper to coat the metal teeth. Zips so much easier now!
Shop Bargain Outlets For BrasI shudder when I see bras for $30-40 or more. That's a lot of money to me! I discovered that I could get perfectly good ones from dollar stores! I have gotten Hanes unstructured bras from the 99 Cent Store here in Los Angeles.
Thrift Stores and Yard Sales For Baby ClothesCheck out thrift stores, yard sales and eBay for baby clothes. When you find them go ahead and get things in larger sizes as well as the current size.
Adjust Those Bras with Bra ExtendersOccasionally, I find that a bra is a bit too tight, even though it should fit. The answer? Old-fashioned bra extenders! They are strips that you hook onto the back of the bra that give you more "eyes" to fasten the bra with.
Keep Shoe Insole TemplateI have to have insoles in all my shoes. Sometimes, the little lines are annoying and if you don't follow them just right then once it is cut, it is cut for good.
Homemade "No Show" Insertable Bra PadsI bought insertable bra pads from a store to put into my bras so I could wear knit tops without worrying about "show through" embarrassment. A pair of pads was $10.00! I could use another set, but did not want to pay that high price for them.
Leave Blouses ButtonedI have arthritis and don't like tight clothes; so, even my cotton blouses are loose. That means that when they are buttoned, I leave them that way all the time. They are easy to get over your head like a T-shirt, easy to leave on the hanger, and easy to throw on when you don't have much time.
Frugal Clothes ShoppingI'm a very big penny pincher; especially right now since we have only one person working full time. What I do is during the summer is go to garage sales, and discounted days at different thrift and consignment shops.
Reshape Summer Straw HatsDon't toss a good straw hat that has gotten out of shape over the winter! Almost all straw hats can be put back into shape by wetting them slightly, then gently pulling and pushing them into the proper shapes before letting dry.
Never Lose Another ButtonTo avoid losing buttons on your clothes, brush a small amount of clear nail polish on the thread in between the cloth and the button
Freshening Dresser DrawersPlace fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.
Re-cover Worn ShoesI had a pair of shoes that really looked like they needed a 'pick-me-up' to give them some new life. I took some Fabri-Tac glue and some scrap fabric and measured to fit the shoes.
Elastic Hem for Long PantsTrack suit slacks are made so the leg ankles nearly always drag on the ground causing wear and tear.
Using Panty Hose with a Run in One LegWith being a waitress for 23 years, I went through a lot of pantyhose, and 9 times out of 10, only 1 leg got snagged resulting in a run. When this happens, tie a knot in the bad leg before washing and save that pair.
Dress Up Plain ShoesIf you have clip on earrings, they are great to dress up plain toed shoes. Just clip them on where you slip your foot into the shoe. You now have a pair of glamorous shoes that would ordinarily be plain.
Hang Dry Lycra ItemsDon't dry items with elastic or lycra bone dry in the dryer. They will last so much longer if they don't spend much time in the dryer. Things like jeans and tops benefit from a few minutes in the dryer to relax wrinkles; underwear can be hung straight from the washer.
Resize Old Belts for ChildrenRecycle your old leather belts by cutting them down to fit children. Just cut down to size and punch new holes into the belt.
Dryer Sheets for ShoesTo freshen boots, bowling shoes, ski boots, etc., place a dryer sheet in each one when not in use.
Keeping Lint Off ClothingWant to wash your fleece without getting lint all over it? Wash it alone in cold water. May combine two pieces.
Rubber Band to Extend WaistbandTo extend the waist a little bit on a pair of pants, take a rubber band and attach it to a button hole. Bring the rubber band through the hole and bring it back through its own "loop" to secure it. The button you your pants will now go through the loop on the rubber band.
Stretching ShoesHave a new pair of shoes that's just a tad too tight or uncomfortable? Try wearing them with socks a little while each day. I had a cute pair that I loved, but knew they weren't more than 'fifteen minute' shoes.
Heated Insoles From Sun DeflectorsMake heated insoles for your shoes from either new or used car window sun deflectors. They're the ones that pop open to block the sun's heat from making the car interior too warm.
Hang Jeans to DryNever - repeat - never - dry your jeans completely in the clothes dryer. Pull them out after about 15 minutes in the dryer and hang them up to finish drying. You can hang them over a shower bar or use a skirt/pants hanger.
Keeping Dark Clothes From FadingWhen washing clothing for the first time, that you do not want to fade, especially jeans or dark cottons, wash them without soap, but instead 1/2 cup of vinegar (any type) and 1/2 cup of salt, in cold water.
Help for a Tight BraSometimes bras need adjustment, especially if you have an in-between size (for example, a bigger overall measurement with a smaller cup size, or perhaps you have some pricey bras that used to fit, but are a bit tight now).
Remove Wrinkles With Aluminum FoilRemove wrinkles from silk or clothes that can't take direct heat. Place foil on ironing board and lay garment over foil. With steam button down, pass iron 3 to 4 inches over fabric several times.
Keep Shoe Tongue From SlidingQuite frequently the tongue in a child's shoe will slip around to the side where it can make the foot very uncomfortable. The situation can be remedied quite simply, however, by making two small slits in the offending tongue and passing the shoelaces through them.
Paper Towel Tube to Prevent Creases from HangerTo prevent creases in garments hung on hangers, take an empty paper towel tube and make a cut lengthwise. Slip it over the bottom of the hanger. The round edge prevents a crease.
Fabric Softener Sheet For Static ClingWith cold weather here, static cling can be a problem. To keep socks, dresses, or even some slacks from clinging to you, lightly rub your legs with fabric softener sheet. That should eliminate the problem.
Resize Jeans with Stretch DenimI have worn jeans all my life. After having a baby I went from a size 10 to a 12. After a lengthy illness, I lost a lot of weight. Now after gaining my weight back, my jeans no longer fit.
Keeping Shoelaces TiedYears ago my cousin showed me a way to keep my shoes tied while on the trike. They told me to tuck the laces in the laced up part on the top of my shoes. Now you do have to make sure the laces are long enough to do this with.
Protect Sun Visor with Shower CapWhen you stay at some motels they will give you a complimentary shower cap. After your stay, put that cap over the sun visor in your car so you don't get it dirty or finger stained over time.
Vinegar and Water to Remove Odors From ClothingUse a solution of 50/50 water and white distilled vinegar to spray a mist on synthetic fibers that smell "odd" even after they have been laundered. Repeat if necessary. It may take two or three mists to get the desired effect. Allow the garment to dry after each spray mist
Dye Thrift Store ShirtThe thrift store was having a half price sale last week and I found a very nice knit top (either 100 percent cotton, or cotton/poly) for $2.50. It had black trim that I liked, and a pattern with black plus several shades of red and pink that I thought were too bright.
Caring For Leather ShoesShine your patent leather shoes by rubbing them with a small amount of petroleum jelly. Leather shoes or purses can be shined quickly with a light application of furniture polish.
Air Dry Jeans To Prevent ShrinkingTo keep tight jeans from getting tighter by keeping them out of the dryer, spread them out to dry flat or stretch between two coated hangers.
Use Scrubs as PajamasMedical scrubs make very comfortable cheap pajamas. They are available in a variety of colors and styles.
Make Your Clothing Multi-taskMake your clothing multi-task. Wear a sweater over a dress and turn it into a skirt. Wrap a shawl around your waist and it is a sarong.
Crocs Shrink in the SunI recently ordered a pair of "Malinda" style Crocs to wear to my office job. I wear an 8.5, but because the style isn't available in half sizes, I ordered a 9. I decided to leave them outside for a couple days to let the smell dissipate before wearing them again.
Making Distressed JeansRipped denim short shorts and distressed artistically ripped denim jeans are all the fashion. This is the perfect chance to either get you or a teenager you know into DIY!
Display Scarves Using Bangle BraceletsTo organize or display scarves, loop them through colorful, plastic bangle bracelets that are not being worn and then hang them on a hook or coat tree.
Buying Clothes You Will WearI have found that the key to getting a good clothing bargain whether at a thrift store or high-end store is to only buy if it is exactly what I like.
Size Hat with Weather StrippingMy husband has several hats that he wears out in the yard and garden to work in. Some of them were too loose on his head and the wind would blow them off. I took adhesive backed weather stripping that goes around the door and put it around the inside of each hat.
Use Liquid Shoe Polish On Older ShoesWhen you first get your shoes, a cream polish may be best - but as your shoes age a liquid shoe polish will spruce them up and cover all the scuffed areas.
Use Old Swimsuit For ExercisingLast year I purchased a new woman's swim suit for myself. I didn't know what to do with the smaller one that I couldn't wear to the pool. I contemplated on whether to donate it to the Good Will or Salvation Army, but I came up with another solution.
Find Inexpensive Ways to Follow Fashion TrendsI realize that I have gotten into the habit of looking at fashion trends in magazines, then figuring out an inexpensive way to follow the fashion.
Use Shower Gel to Wash DelicatesWhen I used to get shower gel in an expensive perfume gift set. I learned that the shower gel is just delicate enough to use on my delicates.
Add Longer Sleeves To Summer DressesMy Rabbi's pre-school daughter attends a non-religious school. For religious reasons, she must wear 3/4 or long sleeves and winter outfits are simply too warm to wear in the summer. To remedy the situation, I collect light weight long sleeved shirts from our local freecycle and re-use it.
Buy Secondhand Shoes for GardeningI love to garden and, more often than not, I ruin my shoes when I'm immersed in black dirt. I constantly go outside to garden. Sometimes I'll actually remember to slip on my plastic garden shoes...
Making Children's Pants LastI suppose I am the "frugalist" gramma ever and my daughter-in-law is the "frugalist" mommy. When my granddaughter was a crawl around baby, I made her a pair of denim pants with elastic in the waist - no decoration, just little denim pants.
Frugal Shoe StretchI saw that some time ago, someone requested a way to stretch shoes. Bunch up newspapers, wet it, and stuff it in your shoes. The key is to make sure there is enough newspaper in each.
Renewing Blue Jeans ColorWhen my blue jeans become too faded, I add a teaspoon of Blue denim RIT dye to the wash load. The jeans come out looking renewed.
Straightening Clothes Without a IronDon't have an iron? Use your curling iron to straighten your hems. After curling your hair, simply run the curling iron along the hems of your cotton or cotton-blend clothes.
Prepare Next Week's Clothes on Sunday AfternoonPut your clothes together on Sunday afternoon for the whole week. I iron and hang everything together. I put outfit, jewelry and underwear on the hanger with socks/hose and shoes directly underneath.
Soap Wrappers for Scented ClothesDon't throw away your scented soap wrappers. Put them in your clothes to keep them deliciously fragrant. It helps keep away moths too!
Buying Clothing from the Maternity RackAverage US female size? Have a tummy? The secret to really cheap jeans (and other pants) is to look at the maternity rack in the thrift stores! They have elastic tops that will adjust to fit you nicely.
Whitening Or Re-dyeing Faded FabricWant to whiten your dingy whites? Or even better, how about revitalizing a set of expensive cotton sheets that have faded in color? Here are some expert tips on how to spruce up and revitalize fabric - it's easy, and it's how the pros do it!
Rubber Band to Keep Shoe Laces TiedI recently had a problem with keeping my shoelaces tied. I searched all over to get a solution and, in the end, it was so simple. When you tie your knots, just wrap a rubber band around it. It holds the knots in place, no matter what.
Keep Clothes Looking New With Lint ShaverA friend gave me a lint shaver. It is battery operated and takes all those little pills of fuzz off of clothing. I keep it in the laundry room and use it all the time.
Repairing Shoe Straps With "Insta Fix" GlueI have some rubber after sport sandals that I find to be very comfortable. Unfortunately, the straps disengage long before the sole wears out, rendering them useless.
Children's Plastic Coat Hangers for UndergarmentsI buy children's plastic coat hangers to hang my t-shirts and camisoles. The indentations on the hanger keep the straps from falling off the hanger. I no longer get flustered when the tees fall off the hangers.
Use Clear Nail Polish to Mend ScarvesNylon scarves are great for hot weather as they don't crush, but they do snag. So when I got a tear in one of my favorite scarves, I wondered how to mend it, and make sure it wouldn't continue to run.
Use Hair Brush to Fluff Fleece ClothingI have a pair of comfy fleece pants that I dearly love but like most fleece fabric they collect pet hair, lint and get ugly balls on them. They looked so bad I was about to throw them away when I came up with a solution.
Ways To Hide Bra StrapsTo keep bra straps hidden, I have recommended the double stick tape (sometimes called "fashion tape" or such) between the dress and bra strap. A better idea, that is more re-useable, would be to sew in the oval spring clip type hair clips (child sizes) with a loose tack (so it moves a bit).
Renewed Night Gown With T-ShirtWhen your night gown wears out at the top, but the bottom is still OK, cut the top off, and replace it with a T-shirt. Cut the hem off the T-shirt. Put a long zipper in front to keep from pulling it over your head.
Wash New Clothes With Similar ColorsWhen you purchase new clothes in dark or bright colors, take advantage of the dye bleeding in the wash by adding faded clothes of the same color. The faded clothes will become brighter!
Saving Money On Winter ClothingChristmas is over and we have several weeks more of cold wintry weather. Here are ideas for saving money on warm winter clothes as suggested by the ThriftyFun community Post your own tips here.
