I don’t know about you, but when it comes to wire clothes hangers, I somehow end up with one of two things: not enough or far too many. If you fall into the latter camp, you’ll know just how annoying it is to have a tangled mess of metal cluttering up your clothing rail.
Whether they’re hangovers from the dry cleaners or spares chucked in mid-shopping spree, I’m sure many of us have built up quite the collection. And despite it being their one job (or so we thought), these wire hangers aren’t actually that great at keeping our clothes neatly in place in the first place.
Luckily, I’ve discovered these metal frames can do a whole lot more than simply attempt to hang up clothes. In fact, some of the uses I’ve found might suit them even better. Don’t believe me? You’ll just have to read on and find out.
Kitchen roll holder
I absolutely loved this trick. It’s super effective, takes little to no effort and manages to be a DIY addition to the kitchen that doesn’t look like a DIY eyesore (we all know the type).
To make your own kitchen roll holder, start by bending the triangular shape of a wire hanger into more of a square. Leave the hook part itself intact, as this is how you’ll display it on a wall mount or cabinet handles. Then, take one side of the square and bend it inward towards the centre, this pointed section is what you’ll thread through the middle of the kitchen roll. Just be careful not to make the point too thin, otherwise the roll may slip off.
You can also do this with a plastic hanger. Simply cut through the bottom bar of the hanger using sturdy scissors or pliers. Once cut, gently pull the two sides apart so you can slide them through the centre of the kitchen roll, then hang it up as usual.
Boot shaper
Who wants to spend money on a piece of plastic that just sits inside your shoes? Not me. But I also don’t want my lovely boots going all floppy. Enter: the wire hanger.
Start by unwinding the hanger so you’re left with one long, straight piece of wire. Fold the wire in half to double it up and give it a bit more strength. Then bend one end into a small L-shape – this will sit at the bottom of the boot.
Simply slot the short end of the L into the sole of your boot, then adjust the longer doubled wire so it runs up the inside of the boot shaft. You can gently widen the gap between the two lengths of wire until it holds the boot upright and keeps its shape.
Cookbook holder
For another super-handy kitchen addition, you can turn a hanger into a simple cookbook holder. Start by holding the hanger by the hook and gently pulling the bottom triangle wider so it opens into more of a broad V-shape.
Next, take the two lower corners of the hanger (the ends of your V-shape) and bend them slightly inwards to form small hooks. These will help hold the pages open while you cook. You can use pliers to shape these hooks so they’re a little sharper and sturdier, but it should work fine without.
Finally, bend the hook at the top of the hanger downwards so it hooks to the centre of the V-shape. This acts as a backbone and allows the stand to sit upright on the counter.
Mini drying rack
This one’s great, as it doesn’t involve any DIY’ing at all. Use old hangers to dry pesky items that otherwise slide off your regular drying racks. Think socks, baby clothes, hats and gloves or cleaning clothes on to a hanger using pegs and hanging it over a shower rail or clothesline. It saves space and dries things faster.
Plant trellis
Another thing that feels like we shouldn't have to spend money on is plant trellises. They’re essentially just sticks or a piece of wire – something you already have hanging in your wardrobe, literally.
Straighten the hanger and bend it into a large U-shape hoop or (if you’re feeling creative) decorative shape such as a heart. Leave the two ends pointing downward to act as stakes, then push them into the soil behind your plant so the frame stands upright. The wire structure gives vines and stems something to wrap around as they grow, making it a quick and inexpensive support for small potted plants like ivy, pothos, or peas.
Accessories holder
Save space and cut down on visual clutter by storing your accessories inside your wardrobe. Simply hang scarves, belts, necklaces or even caps from the bottom bar of the hanger to keep everything neat and easy to see. No tangles, no mess – they’re not just for clothes.
Not only does this stop things getting tangled, it also frees up space on the back of doors, coat racks and dressing tables where accessories often pile up. For smaller items, you can add a few shower rings or clips to the hanger to create even more hanging spots.
Duster
For a quick and handy duster when you’re in a pinch, use your wire hanger. Unwind the hanger and attach a microfibre cloth to one end. Leave at full length to reach high-up spots or double up for a sturdier handle. It’s great for the hard-to-reach areas.
