Until 30 years ago, people were limited to three choices when it came to clothes hangers. These choices were limited to expensive wooden hangers, cheap wire hangers, and the occasional pee wee sized plastic children clothes hangers with the punched out circus designs. While those wire hangers weren’t the best things to hang our clothes upon, they were pretty darned useful around the house and farm. They were so useful in fact, that I actually find myself missing the darn things.
Mending chain link fence
Wire hangers are made are a thick gauge of wire which makes them very handy for repairing all sorts of things. Need to mend an area of chain wire fencing? Instead of spending $25 for a roll of wire, use a wire clothes hanger instead.
Use to support climbing plants
Deluxe gardening catalogues sell metal supports for climbing garden flowers. These supports are nothing more than a straight piece of wire, topped with a small loop. A climbing stake can be easily made from a plain wire hanger.
To make a climbing stake, use a wire cutter to cut the hanger just below the twist of the hook. Make two snips, one on the left of the twist, and one on the right. These cuts will separate the hook from the hanger. Use the wire cutter or a set of pliers to straighten the wire. Once the wire has been straightened, grab one end of the wire, and bend it into a couple of loops. It’s that easy!
Use to support graveside flower decorations
For those who decorate gravesides with fresh cut flowers, keeping those flower pots erect can be a challenge. My grandpa in law taught me a nifty way to make a vase support by cutting and bending an old clothes hanger.
To make a vase support, cut away the base of the hanger to create a long, straight piece of wire. Use the wire cutters to bend back one end to create a one inch hook. The support should resemble a shepherd’s crook. To use, simply place the stake near the pot, with the hook facing inwards. Push the stake into the ground, catching the edge of the vase or pot with the hook. With the flower pot attached to the stake in this manner, toppled graveside flowers will no longer be a problem.
Make a drain hook
For drains clogged with hair, a nifty drain cleaning tool can be made from a section of wire hanger. To create this handy tool, cut away a 10 inch section of straight wire. Use the wire cutters to shape a small 1/4″ hook at one end. Once the hook has been shaped, compress it slightly so that it will easily fit into the drain. To use, insert the hook into the drain and grab the clogs, pulling them back through the drain opening to remove.
This tool will also work for cleaning out clogged vacuum cleaner hoses and down spouts.
Use as a giant bubble wand
What child doesn’t like making enormous bubbles? Make a super sized bubble wand by shaping the hanger into a large diamond. Straighten out the hook, and wrap it with electrical or duct tape to create a handle. For a bubble tray, use an old cookie sheet.
Inexpensive bubble solution can be made from a mixture of liquid dishwashing soap and water.
Build a frame for homemade paper making crafts
For an easy kid’s craft, a wire hanger can be used to build a simple paper making frame. To build the frame, stretch the hanger into a triangular shape. Cover the entire frame with the leg section from a pair of old nylons. To use, immerse the frame into a tub of prepared paper pulp, gently waving the frame back and forth to create an even layer of pulp. Gently lift the frame from the tub, gently squeezing out excess water. Set aside to dry.
Wire clothes hangers really do have all sorts of practical uses. They are indispensable for emergency repairs around the house, helpful in the garden, great for crafting, and pretty practical for even hanging up clothes.
