15 Ways to Repurpose Old Nylons

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This post is by Bernie Carr, apartmentprepper.com

Nylons aka pantyhose, stockings, tights or even knee highs are some of the most commonly discarded items. It is easy to ruin a pair of nylons as soon as you open the package.  Before you toss them out, you may be able to get some other uses out of them.

1. If one pair develops a run on one leg, cut off that leg but keep the good one. When another pair springs a run on the opposite leg, cut that off and wear in on your other leg.
2. Wearing a pair of nylons under pants gives you an extra layer of warmth. They are almost like thermal underwear.
3. Keeps blisters away. Wear nylons (such as knee highs) under your hiking socks to prevent blisters.
4. Protection from ticks and chiggers: Wearing an old pair of nylons under your pants will protect your ankles from ticks and chiggers while you’re out in the wilderness.
5. Strainer: My mom who grew up in lean times showed me that old, thoroughly washed nylons can be used as strainers, if you don’t have cheesecloth or coffee filters.
6. Storage: Cut the legs off and you can use the legs as storage for onions and garlic. Tie a knot in between each bulb to keep them separate and hang the whole thing up.
7. Scrubbing and cleaning:  Use a wadded up nylon instead of a sponge.  For hard to reach places, secure on a broom handle with a rubber band and scrub.
8. Plant ties: Because they are soft and flexible, nylons make good garden ties. I’ve tied tomato plants against a stick or cage to prop them up and climbing plants against a trellis.
9. Protection for growing fruit and vegetables. You can use nylons to protect a growing watermelon or squash from insects.
10. Collect soap scraps that are too small and place inside a piece of nylon and tie a knot.
11. Cut off one foot from nylons, place a bar of soap inside, tie a knot and now you can hang the bar of soap and keep it from melting.
12. If you lose an earring or some other small object, place a piece of nylon over your vacuum cleaner hose, secure with a rubber band and start the vacuum. The nylon will keep the vacuum from sucking up the item.
13. Repair a pillow, bean bag or stuffed animal that is needing more padding by placing wadded up nylons inside.
14. If you don’t have string, tie several and stretch them across a space for an emergency clothes line.  Or, if you are just drying one shirt, stretch the nylon to span across two sleeves and tie the two sides up.
15. Make a potpourri sachet:   Place dried herbs and flowers with a drop of essential oil in a small pocket of nylon.  Tie with a ribbon or sew shut.

Have I missed anything?  Please feel free to add some additional uses in the comments.

© Apartment Prepper 2014

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