What To Do With Old Clothing Hangers
Are you wondering what to do with your old hangers? Don’t just throw away those unwanted hangers! There are plenty of creative ways to repurpose and reuse old hangers, especially if you’re a prepper. It’s so worthwhile to find ways to use things around the house rather than throwing them in the trash and adding them to the landfills. In this article, we’ll explore various ideas on how to make the most out of your old hangers. Let’s talk about what to do with old clothing hangers!
1. Organizational Tools
Old hangers can be transformed into useful organizational tools for your prepping supplies. I always have a ton of hangers on hand and I figured I’d share with you what I like to do in terms of organizing with hangers.
Paracord Hanger Wraps
Wrap some paracord around the body of the hanger to create a grip for hanging various items. This will prevent your gear from sliding off and keep everything in place. 13 Survival Uses for Paracord
Besides paracord, you can use them to wrap those lengths of rope you have wondered where to store. You might consider using the sturdy wooden hangers since they hold their shape better and allow you to wrap the paracord or rope more tightly.
Bug-Out Bag Hooks
Attach multiple hangers together using zip ties or string to create a sturdy hook system. Hang your bug-out bags, emergency kits, CERT bags and supplies, or other items you want to keep easily accessible. The Most Comprehensive Bug Out Bag Checklists
You can also use them to hang up your camping gear like packs, tarps, and other items you tend to misplace.
S-Hook Storage
Use the metal hooks part of the hangers to hang smaller items like flashlights, keys, or tools. This will help you keep everything organized and within reach. How to Use Plastic Bags Around the House
2. Gardening Solutions
If you have green thumbs and love gardening, old hangers can be handy. I didn’t even really think about using the hangers out in the garden until I really started to consider all of the possibilities!
Plant Supports
Bend wire hangers into different shapes and sizes to create plant supports. These supports will ensure that your plants grow vertically and stay strong, especially those that develop a vine. Top 10 Healing Plants to Grow
Tomato Cage Alternatives
Create DIY tomato cages by bending wire hangers into circular or cone-shaped structures. Use these cages to support your tomato plants as they grow. Top Gardening Tips for Growing Tomatoes
3. Household Uses
Old hangers can also find new life within your household. I’m a big fan of reusing and repurposing and I love that there are many options for using hangers around the house. 12 Ways to Reuse Broken Household Items
Drying Rack
Attach multiple hangers together using string or wire to create a drying rack for small clothing items. Hang socks, underwear, or delicate garments to air dry. Clothesline: Why You Need One
Wreath Frame
Bend the hanger into a circular shape and use it as a base for creating wreaths. Wrap foliage, flowers, or other decorative elements around the hanger to make beautiful and unique wreaths. 25 Christmas Gift Ideas You Need
4. Crafting Projects
Get creative with your old hangers and indulge in various crafting projects. You craft lovers are going to love that you can do so much more with hangers. 9 Creative Uses for Tennis Balls
Jewelry Organizer
Bend the hanger into interesting shapes and use it as a jewelry organizer. Hang necklaces, bracelets, and earrings on the hooks to keep them tangle-free and easily accessible. My Homemade Jewelry Cleaner Recipe
DIY Mobiles
Create whimsical mobiles by attaching lightweight objects like feathers, beads, or origami shapes to the hanger. Hang it near a window or in a child’s room for a charming decorative piece. If you don’t know what to do with old clothing hangers, this is a good tip! Uses of Crayons for Being a Prepper
What can I do with unwanted clothes hangers?
As you can see here, you can deal with unwanted clothes hangers in many ways. Just choose one of these DIY options and run with it. Along the way, you may find out several more ways in which you can use hangers around your home! This is a big tip for what to do with old clothing hangers.
Most thrift stores, donation facilities, and charity shops like Goodwill, Savers, and Deseret Industries are willing to take your hangers of all types, including wood hangers, metal hangers, and old plastic hangers.
Can hangers go in the recycling bin?
When it comes to whether hangers can be placed in the recycling bin, it’s important to note that not all hangers are recyclable. While there may be some misconceptions about this topic, it is generally advised that plastic hangers should not be put in the recycling bin. Plastic clothes hangers can cause issues with recycling machinery and lead to damage or jams.
Check with your local recycling center to see if there are recyclable plastic hangers they are willing to take based on the recycling equipment available for use. If you have mostly metal hangers, talk with the scrap metal recyclers to see if they have an interest.
How do you dispose of old plastic coat hangers?
When it comes to disposing of old plastic coat hangers, it’s important to note that not all types can be recycled through conventional curbside recycling programs. Plastic coat hangers often contain multiple plastic resin types, making them difficult to recycle. And the combination of the metal hook and the plastic parts makes sorting them at the recycling center a challenge. Talk to the agencies running the recycling program for input.
Do stores reuse hangers?
Many stores reuse hangers as part of their sustainability efforts. Some recycle the plastic-only hangers and offer the metal/plastic ones on local freecycle platforms. Others may have hanger recycling bins or programs where they collect and reuse hangers.
Also, check with your local dry cleaner facilities to see if they have an interest or know where they can be taken. I doubt local retailers have an interest since they tend to be consistent in what they use rather than trying a variety of hanger types.
Reach out to homeless shelters, domestic abuse shelters, high school student pantries, and the YMCA and the YWCA to see if any of those staying in their facilities could use some quality hangers.
More Tips
- The Versatile Uses of Bleach for Prepping
- 20 Survival Uses for Rubber Bands
- 14 Clever Uses for Mason Jars
Final Word
Don’t let your old hangers go to waste! With a little creativity and some DIY skills, you can repurpose them into practical items for your prepping. From organizational tools to gardening solutions and household uses to crafting projects, there are endless possibilities for making the most out of your old hangers. May God Bless this World, Linda
Copyright Images: Hangers With Bright Color Shirts Depositphotos_326328534_S by NewAfrica, Hangers with Colorful Tops Depositphotos_6659869_S by Belchonock
Great post. You can also bend the wire hanger into a sock form if you knit socks. I have everything to make socks, just haven’t done it yet.
HI Deborah, oh my gosh, great idea! I remember my MIL use a light bulb to mend her nylons and socks. I admire those who can knit and crochet. Love this, Linda
Hi Linda, you can take a length of sturdy fabric like duck, 45 in wide and as long as you wish, plus a wood or heavy duty plastic hanger. With wrong sides too, double stitch the selvage edges together leaving about 1 ft open and back stitch at the open end. Next lay the fabric tube flat with the seam centered and double stitch across one end. Still inside out, lay the hanger across the opening at the other end use the hanger to trace seam lines at the top, following the angles of the hanger, double stitch each side separately. Turn the whole piece right side out and slip the hanger through the opening to fit into the fitted end. The result is a handy laundry bag. It was my very 1st 4H sewing project 50 or so years ago, I was 9yo. It was the beginner sewing project for teaching how to machine sew. It can be done by hand but that takes much longer. The only change I’ve made, is double stitching the seams. When I made my first one they project called for heavy duty mercerized cotton thread. It’s nearly impossible to find these days. Most of the thread currently available is now poly blend, and not as sturdy, so I called for double stitching. Making it to the length desired helps make the most use of the laundry bag. It can be used in the babies room to collect clothing, bib’s, caps, wash cloths, anything you need to wash separately with a detergent such as All’s new free formula or Ivory, anything suitable for touching a baby’s skin. It can be used for delicate cycle items like underwear, socks/stockings, work blouses and scarfs, woolen items, any thing that needs special handling. It saves time presorting the laundry. Given that even with your own machines, you can dump that load in when you get home without wasting time presorting. They work for small children too. The bag can be hung from the closet rod, a hook on the wall or closet door, or even a door knob to put it in reach of small children. It’s an early skill they can learn, helping to keep their room tidy. The bag can be removed from the hanger and go into the washer/dryer, to keep it fresh. Just 1 more use for spare hangers. Good article, Linda.
Your comment sounds like what my husband does when he does the laundry. He takes my clothes in a separate basket and takes them our to our well house where we keep the wash machine. I was diagnosed with a Allergy to modern life. It’s hard to live when just about everything. I am hoping we can buy a real old time log cabin Ghost town. It was abandoned when things became modern and no one wanted to live there anymore.
Hi Jackie, oh that is terrible to have so many allergies! I’m so sorry, my sweet friend. Oh, a real old log cabin sounds like a great adventure. I’m getting to old to take on a project like that, but it sure sounds awesome! Linda
HI MaryAnn, oh I want to make a few of these, thank you! You are so right about the thread available today. It’s not as strong as it used to be and therefore we do have to do double stitches. Great idea, love this! Linda
Linda:
If caught in a situation that you are unable to escape you could take and poke a eye out of the person planning harm to you. I don’t know if I had the guts to do this but if it comes down to whoever wants to harm my family I would be darn sure to do something and that would stop someone right away if they can’t see. If if you only get one eye it will stop that person long enough for you and your family to get out of the house.
Hi Jackie, yes you could do this for sure. We will use whatever have to protect our family! Linda