I mentioned here about organization expert Geralin Thomas’s five day declutter plan. The first item to declutter was wire hangers which lead to my 3 hour closet overhaul. When I finished cleaning my closet, I had 2 bags full of extra wire hangers and no idea what to do with them.
I didn’t want to just toss them in the trash to end up in a landfill. I can’t imagine they decompose very quickly. After a little research, I found that they are recyclable. However, there are no specific recycle bins for this type of item and you would have to take them to a scrap metal dealer. Which, to be honest, I’d probably never do.
Next, I tried taking them to Goodwill but the donation clerk told me they did not accept them (at this location). Finally, I called my local dry cleaner and asked if I could bring them all of my extra hangers (most of which came from them in the first place). They said they would be happy to take them back. Instead of dumping the two trash bags on their door step, I grouped the hangers together in sets of ten and tied them together with a rubber band.
Before I took them to the dry cleaners, I started wondering what other useful purpose could wire clothes hangers service. I decided to keep a few on hand for the laundry room and in case I ever wanted to try one of these uses:
- Source: wikihow.com
4 wire hangers and some pantyhose can yield a nice set of fairy wings.
Source: marthastewart.com
Martha Stewart teaches you how to make giant bubble, bubble wands from upcycled wire hangers.
Source: epbot.com via Pinterest
Love this idea of fashioning a wire hanger into a flip flop holder. Just cut the hanger at the bottom with wire cutters and bend upwards. Click here for my version and a tutorial.
Source: Eddieross.com via Pinterest
Twist the hanger into a circle and use to make a Christmas (or any holiday) wreath.
Source: Ohdeedoh via Pinterest
How about a diy kid’s mobile?
Source: Realsimple.com via Pinterest
I like this simple solution for organizing your craft or gift wrapping ribbon.
Source: Flickr via Pinterest
Yet another storage solution using a wire hanger.
Source: Designboom.com
Finally, the Indonesians may have come up with the most creative use…for drying their octopus.
What do you do with your wire clothes hangers? Do you recycle, re-purpose or trash?
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I love, love, loved your ideas for hangers – I have loads of them!!