What to Do with Wire Hangers from Dry Cleaners (Upcycling Ideas)

Before tossing your wire hangers out with next week’s trash, think for a second. Surely, there must be something useful we can do with these things.

Well, folks, I’m here to tell you – there are plenty of creative and practical ways to use those unwanted wire hangers. They can be bent and shaped into wreath forms, picture holders, jewelry organizers, or ornament hooks, giving old hangers a fresh and artistic lease on life.

In this article, we’ll explore some neat solutions that not only solve the “too many hangers” problem but might also spark your inner DIY enthusiast. So sit tight and prepare yourself for some serious hanger repurposing action! 🙂

Understanding the Problem: The Plight of Wire Hangers

What do we do with all those leftover hangers? Tossing them out doesn’t seem right. After all, they’re perfectly good hangers. But how many do we need?

The real problem here isn’t just about closet space, though (although that’s part of it). It’s also about waste. Did you know that in America alone, around 3.5 billion wire hangers are in landfills yearly? That’s a whole lot of metal going to waste!

Here’s a quick snapshot of this problem:

	Amount
Dry cleaning businesses in the US	30,000
Average number of hangers used per business annually	116666
Total wire hanger waste per year	3.5 billion

And here’s another fun fact: most recycling programs won’t accept these guys because their shape and composition can damage machinery!

So, in the next section, you will learn how to upcycle your wire hangers before even thinking of tossing them.

Getting Crafty: DIY Projects with Wire Hangers

Wire Hanger Wreaths

The first thing that might surprise you—wire hanger wreaths. Yup! With just a pair of pliers and your imagination, bend the wire into any shape you’d like—a circle for Christmas, a heart for Valentine’s Day—you name it!

Jewelry Organizer

Next up is the jewelry organization. Tangled necklaces got you down? Well, not anymore! Just twist your hanger into an S shape, hang it on the wall, and voila! You’ve got yourself a nifty little jewelry holder.

Garden Stakes

And hey, let’s not forget about garden stakes. If you’re like me and love to grow tomatoes or beans in your backyard, these wire hangers could be just what you need. Stick them in the ground to support your plants—eco-friendly AND practical.

Bubble Wands

Now, here’s something interesting – bubble wands. All it takes is reshaping that hanger and pairing it with a little dish soap mixture. Surely, the kids will love this!

Ornament Hooks

Oh—and remember this one when Christmas rolls around again—ornament hooks. Why buy them when making them is so easy? Just cut small pieces from your hanger, hook one end onto the ornament and the other onto the tree branch.

Remember, folks—it’s not just about reusing or recycling—it’s also about REINVENTING. These projects aren’t just saving waste but also adding character to our homes and gardens.

Don’t Toss Them, Donate! Where to Give Your Excess Hangers

I know what you’re thinking: “Who wants my old hangers?” Well, I’ll tell you! Thrift stores and charities often need hangers for their clothing departments. Imagine that your unwanted clutter could help someone else shop more efficiently or even dress for success!

Next time you drop off a bag of gently used clothes at places like Goodwill or The Salvation Army, bring along those hangers, too. They can always use more!

And it’s not just thrift stores either. Check with local schools and community centers—they sometimes need hangers for craft projects or coat closets.

But wait, there’s more! Did you know some dry cleaners will take back their wire hangers? That’s right! It saves them money and reduces waste—a win-win situation if I ever saw one.

Here are a few places to get you started:

• Local thrift stores
• Charities
• Schools/Community Centers
• Dry Cleaners

Before taking in your load of wire wonders, call these places to ensure they accept donations. We wouldn’t want all our good intentions going to waste now, would we?

Turning a Problem into Profit: Selling Unused Metal Hangers

Let’s talk about turning this problem into profit. Many search for wire hangers for arts and crafts projects or gardening. Some folks even buy them wholesale for retail businesses or laundromats!

So, how do you get started selling these wire hangers? Here’s what I did:

• Step One: Collect all the unused metal hangers you have at home. Remember, it doesn’t matter if they’re bent out of shape or have a bit of rust – they can still find a new home.
• Step Two: Head to online platforms like eBay and Craigslist. These sites let you sell items directly to interested buyers.
• Step Three: Post some good photographs of your collection online with an enticing description. You’ll be amazed at the interest you might generate.

Now, don’t expect to become a millionaire overnight selling wire hangers! On average, you could make about $5-$10 per 100 wire coat hangers sold on eBay, based on my personal experience.

Platform	Average Selling Price per 100 Hangers
eBay	$5-$10

Remember, every little bit counts when we’re talking about making cash from items that would otherwise be cluttering up our homes!

This whole venture is even better because it’s not just about the money – it’s also pretty eco-friendly! By selling those unwanted hangers instead of throwing them away, we’re reducing waste – a small but significant step towards preserving our planet.

So next time you get your clothes back from the dry cleaners and wonder what you’ll do with yet another mountain of metal hangers, remember – there could be cash (and green karma points) in that pile! So go ahead – turn that problem into profit!

References

Organizations:

• Trust for Public Land (TPL). https://www.tpl.org/
• Project for Public Spaces. https://www.pps.org/
• The Nature Conservancy. https://www.nature.org/en-us/
• Green Cities: Good Health (an initiative by the University of Washington). https://www.greenhealth.washington.edu/

Books:

• “The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective” by Rachel and Stephen Kaplan. https://www.amazon.com/Experience-Nature-Psychological-Perspective/dp/0521349397
• “Biophilic Cities: Integrating Nature into Urban Design and Planning” by Timothy Beatley. https://www.amazon.com/Biophilic-Cities-Integrating-Nature-Planning/dp/1597267155

Websites:

• Green City Index. https://assets.new.siemens.com/
• Project for Public Spaces. https://www.pps.org/
• The Biophilic Cities Network. https://www.biophiliccities.org/

Video References:

HGTV

Xíu House

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