Free Cheaper, Better, Faster by Mary Hunt Page B

in this store for some reason. Maybe they were mislabeled.
    Shopping— remnants for making clothes
    Keep a list of yardage and notions needed for your favorite clothing patterns in your purse. When you’re out shopping, stop by the yardages store or sewing department and check out the remnant table. If you find fabric you like, check your list to see if it works for any patterns you have. This is an easy way to add a cute skirt or blouse to your wardrobe for hardly any cost, and keeps you from buying fabric or notions that won’t work with the patterns you like.
    Shopping—shoe selection
    When trying on shoes in the store, walk around in them on a hard surface. Standing on a carpet is deceiving. It makes the shoes feel more comfortable than they would be on hard floors or other surfaces.
    Shopping—women in men’s T-shirts
    Ladies, buy men’s white T-shirts to wear under jackets. They’re cheap, easy to dye or trim, machine washable, and quite fashionable.
    Ski pants
    Take an old pair of jeans or canvas overalls and turn theminto cheap and comfortable ski pants. Simply spray them with good waterproof fabric protector available at fabric, sporting goods, and hardware stores.
    Socks—all alone
    Uses for widowed socks: (1) Slip one over your hand to use as a waxing, dusting, or shoe-polish mitt; (2) put one over the top of the bathroom powdered cleanser can when not in use to avoid spills; (3) when you travel, slide one over each shoe to keep the clothes in your suitcase clean.
    Stains—perspiration
    â€œDry-clean only” garments that are stained with perspiration should be taken to the cleaner as soon as possible. The longer the salts from perspiration remain in the fabric, the greater the chance of permanent damage.
    Stains —winter coats
    Try spraying stains on your winter coat with oven cleaner and allow to dry overnight. This is a tried-and-true trick used in some used clothing stores to get coats ready for sale.
    Storage—belts on a hanger
    For a great belt holder, install a row of big cup hooks along the bottom of a wooden hanger.
    Storage—shoes in socks
    Store your off-season shoes inside socks to keep them scuff- and dust-free.
    Storage—winter outerwear
    To pack away your winter scarves and hats, store them inside a handbag or purse that you don’t plan on using during the spring and summer. The winter accessories will help the purse keep its shape.
    Static cling —use fabric spray
    Mix 1 part liquid fabric softener and 20 parts water in a spray bottle set to spray a finemist. Use as you would commercial aerosol antistatic spray by spraying on clinging petticoats, pantyhose, socks, and dresses.
    Static cling—use hand lotion
    Annoyed by static cling? Massage a small amount of hand lotion into your hands. Then lightly rub your palms over your pantyhose, tights, or undergarments.
    Swaps—clothing
    Arrange a clothing swap with friends. Ask everyone to bring at least five items in good condition that no longer meet their needs. One person’s disaster could be your delight.
    Swaps—neckties
    If the man of the house wears ties often and easily tires of his favorites, find another such person to participate in a tie swap. Twice a year the swappers should go through their ties and get rid of the ones that have become boring or were unwanted gifts. Make sure the items are freshly cleaned, and then do a tie-for-tie swap. Donate anything left to a local charity.
    Swimsuits
    To prolong the life of swimsuits that are exposed to harsh chlorine, buy a bottle of chlorine remover, sold in pet supply stores for removing chlorine from the water in fish tanks. Add a few drops of the liquid to a pail of cold water, pop the suits in when swimming is over, and rinse with cold water.
    Tailoring
    Someone skilled at alterations can take in, let out, take up, let down, and redesign any classic or well-made garment.
    Wool
    To clean and soften new,