You Can Repurpose Old Tights, Stockings, and Pantyhose

Anytime we can figure out how to use old things to make useful new things is a win for the environment and for our wallets. Thankfully, it’s become more and more common to think this way.

Repurposing wood is already wildly popular. Old doors, windows, and furniture are finding new life through repurposing. People are getting creative with wine bottles, plastic containers, and food tins.

Clothing, too, is a great thing to repurpose. Old Jeans, socks past their prime, and t-shirts can all be reimagined as new things. Sweaters are amazing for repurposing projects. And, as we are about to explore, tights, stockings, and pantyhose can outlive their lives as clothing as well.

So, the next time there is a run in those stockings or a hole in the crotch of those tights, don’t just toss them out. Here are some ideas for what you can do instead.

Soap Saver

This is a two-for-one repurposing idea. Bars of soap eventually reduce down to unusable thin stubs that more often than not get tossed for a new bar. That means we aren’t getting the full bevy of showers out of each bar. Instead, make a little pocket out of old stockings and put those remaining bits of soap in them. Then, use that soap saver as a luffa when showering.

Garden Ties

Most of the time gardeners use twine to tie up tomatoes and other staked vegetables. Twine is rather rigid, so it either can’t be tied tight enough or it damages the plant. Instead, use cut old stockings, tights, and pantyhose into strips and use them as garden ties. The elasticity will give when it needs to while also keeping those tomato vines snug against their stakes.

Potpourri Sachet

Stockings and pantyhose especially have lots of pores for air to move in and out of them. This makes them great material for making potpourri sachets to go in drawers, the closet, the bathroom, or even under the pillow (lavender is perfect for this). These little sachets can be tucked all over the place to help keep things smelling nice.

Draft Stopper

For doors the wind tends to creep under, it can be helpful to have a draft stopper. This is basically a heavy pillow that can be set at the base of the door to prevent that breeze from getting in. Cut off the leg of some old tights, fill with sand, and there you have it. It’ll help the house be more energy-efficient.

Veggie Storage

Vegetables like onions and garlic love to have air move around them so that they stay dry. This makes them store in the pantry for much longer. Use the old legs of stockings as veggie storage. Hang the storage tube on the back of the pantry door. The same technique can be used to store tender flower bulbs for next year’s garden.

Polishing Cloth

Any old piece of clothing can make a decent polishing cloth. Stockings and pantyhose are particularly good because they don’t tend to leave lent or bits of material behind. Cut them into handy squares and or even use the toes as polishing mittens.

Moisture Mitigation

Taking advantage of both the porousness and ability to hold things in place, a bag made of old pantyhose can be the perfect container for holding baking soda in places that need some moisture mitigation. Hang them in closets or near the laundry hamper. Put them under beds or wherever else might have more moisture than desirable.

Water Garden Container

For those who have a water feature in the garden, an old pair of tights/stockings can be perfect as a container to plant in. Fill the stockings with some gravel/stones and soil. Tie the stocking off at the end. Then, cut a slit in the stocking for the water plant to fit through. The stocking will hold the soil together in place, and the stones will keep the container sunken.

Makeshift Cheesecloth

More porous materials like those used for pantyhose can be a homespun replacement for cheesecloths in the kitchen. For those who make their own plant-based milk, cheeses, or tofu, this can be a really useful piece of equipment to have around. Just be sure to clean them well first.

Lint Remover

The materials used for making these pieces of clothing are very clingy. That makes them great for picking up pieces of fuzz and everything else. When wearing them, that can be an issue that isn’t favorable. However, it makes them great for use as lint removers. Wipe down articles of clothing or whatever with old tights, stockings, and pantyhose to remove lint.

That’s a wonderful beginning for repurposing those old stockings and tights. Feel free to leave any other suggestions in the comments below. We love to hear about them.

Related Content:

• 8 Ways to Repurpose Plastic Cups Before Recycling Them
• 9 Ideas for Making Cool Porch Rails with Repurposed and Found Objects
• How to Make Your Own Tea Lights from Repurposed Materials
• 8 Repurposed Items to Make Cool Shelves
• 10 Ways to Repurpose Broken Stuff

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