23 Things to Do With Old Pantyhose

Once a pair of pantyhose is no longer usable as pantyhose, there’s nothing to be done but throw them out, right? And nylon isn’t even biodegradable.

But it turns out there are actually quite a few ways you can re-use old pantyhose, maybe even for years.

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Ways to Reuse Old Pantyhose

I love when there’s a way to re-use something that’s beyond repair. It can save you money and it also means less junk in the landfill.

Note: all these tips assume you’re going to wash the old pantyhose very well before re-using them.

1. Sachets

Old pantyhose are the perfect breathable material for a sachet to plant in a drawer or closet. Just snip off the foot area, put some potpourri in it, tie it off with a pretty ribbon and put them wherever you want some scent.

You can refresh them from time to time by adding a few drops of essential oils or your own custom fragrance. Sachets like this can last for years.

2. Make a nail polish remover pod

Stuff old pantyhose legs into a small container. Pour in some nail polish remover. Bingo – you’ve just made a homemade version of those removers that you dip your fingers into and twist around to remove the polish.

3. Make a Pot Scrubber

Cleaning pots, pans, and baking sheets can be a real chore. But you can transform those old pantyhose into an effective, reusable pot scrubber.

Just cut off a section of the pantyhose, stuff it with a small amount of steel wool or abrasive sponge material, and tie off the end. The nylon mesh creates gentle abrasion to tackle stuck-on food and grime, while the steel wool provides extra scrubbing power.

These homemade pot scrubbers are much more eco-friendly than disposable sponges or steel wool pads. They’ll last for ages, and you can simply toss them in the washing machine when they get dirty. Plus, you can customize the size and shape to fit different pots and pans.

3. Hang your onions

Cut off a leg from your old pantyhose. Stick onions or similar vegetables down into them, and tie the top to a beam in your kitchen. It makes for a conversation piece, too!

4. Quick shoe polish

When you’ve got a pair of shoes that just need a little buffing to add some shine, pantyhose material is great for that job. Just buff the shoes with the nylons, and the shine will come back.

5. Protection in the outdoors

Pantyhose can protect your legs from insect bites, so toss on an old pair whenever you’re working outdoors, gardening, hiking or camping.

6. Line your planters

In another post, I talked about how you can line plant potters with coffee filters to keep water and soil inside. Pantyhose will do exactly the same trick in the same way.

7. Control top hair scrunchies

The tops of control top pantyhose can be cut into strips (all the way around) to make hair scrunchies.

8. Straining

You might be repulsed at the idea of straining a food item through old pantyhose, though it’s perfectly safe as long as you wash them well first. You can definitely strain other things through them, such as paint into which bits of debris have fallen.

9. Tying plants to sticks

Old pantyhose can be great for tying tomato vines and similar plants to stakes. They’re soft enough not to choke the plant at any point in its growth, but strong enough not to let it fall.

10. Soap on a rope

Put soap in the toes of old pantyhose, snip off the legs and tie the ends shut. Now you have a soap-on-a-rope/scrubbie for when you shower.

The soap will come right through the nylon. This is also a great way to make sure ends of soap bars get used up, because you can always just open the stocking up and add more bits of soap.

11. Stuffing or re-stuffing toys

You can stuff homemade toys with old pantyhose for a nice plush feel. You can also re-stuff toys that you’re mending, which have lost some of their original stuffing.

12. Stuffing pillows

Following on the last idea, you can stuff or re-stuff pillows with old pantyhose. If you have a pillow that’s a little too hard, adding a layer of scrunched up nylons between the hard stuffing and the pillow cover can work wonders.

13. Laundry line

Stretch the legs of old pantyhose to make a drying line for indoor clothes and delicates that don’t fare well in the dryer. Items that tend to get wrinkle lines when dried under a rack won’t do that with a soft nylon line under them.

You can also braid some pantyhose legs together to make an outdoor laundry line. Braiding will give it the strength of a store-bought nylon line.

14. Store rolls of paper

Wrapping paper, wallpaper, art paper – any paper on a roll that can tend to get scraggly edges if you don’t store it just so will do very nicely in the leg of a pair of pantyhose. The nylon will keep the ends from unraveling without making any marks in the paper the way rubber bands and similar items sometimes do.

15. Makeshift mesh bag

Instead of buying a mesh bag in which to wash delicates, you can always just toss them in the leg of an old pair of pantyhose. It’ll keep them safe while letting them get a thorough washing.

16. Make a Produce Bag

Simply cut the legs off the pantyhose, tie a knot in one end, and you have an eco-friendly way to store and transport your fruits and veggies. The breathable nylon material helps keep produce fresh, and the bags are durable enough to use over and over.

These homemade produce bags are perfect for shopping at the farmer’s market or grocery store. You can even use them to store homegrown produce from your garden.

If you don’t want to carry them around in front of people, just tuck them into a reusable tote bag.

17. Create a Jewelry Holder

Tired of your necklaces and bracelets getting tangled in your jewelry box? Breathe new life into those old pantyhose by turning them into a DIY jewelry holder.

Simply cut the legs into strips, then tie the strips together to form a grid or lattice pattern. Hang this nylon mesh on the wall, and you have an easy way to display and organize your jewelry. The small holes allow you to thread necklaces through, and the stretchy material can hold earrings, bracelets, and more.

This is a great project for decluttering your vanity or dresser. Plus, it doubles as wall decor, adding a unique and creative touch to your space.

18. Make a Draft Stopper

Drafty windows and doors can really drive up your heating and cooling costs. But you can easily create an effective draft stopper using – you guessed it – old pantyhose!

Simply stuff the leg of a pantyhose with rice, sand, or even pet hair to weigh it down. Tie off the end, and place the draft stopper along the bottom edge of your window or door. The nylon material conforms to the shape of the gap, creating an airtight seal that blocks cold air from coming in.

These homemade draft stoppers are a budget-friendly alternative to pricey, store-bought versions. And you can customize the size to fit different spaces around your home. Plus, they’re easy to move and reuse in different locations as needed.

19. Craft a DIY Dog or Cat Toy

Stuff the leg of a pantyhose with treats or catnip, then tie off the end. Your pup will have fun sniffing, batting, and chewing to get to the tasty rewards inside. You can even tie knots along the length of the stocking to create a “snake” toy.

Pantyhose also make great tug-of-war toys. Simply tie a few pairs together to create a long, durable rope that’s perfect for games of fetch and tug. The stretchy material is gentle on your dog’s mouth and teeth.

20. Craft a Decorative Wreath

Cut the legs into strips, then tie, braid, or weave them together to form a wreath shape. They work best when you combine them with other things like flowers or leaves.

You can get as creative as you want with the design. Try knotting the strips into loops, layering them in a spiral pattern, or even dyeing the nylon for a pop of color. Add in dried flowers, greenery, or other natural elements to create a truly unique piece of wall decor.

21. Create a Paint Strainer

Just cut off a section of the nylon and secure it over the top of your paint can or container. When you dip your brush in, the pantyhose will catch any clumps or debris, giving you a smooth, even paint application.

This is a simple, cost-effective way to keep your paint looking fresh and free of unwanted particles. And because pantyhose are machine-washable, you can reuse the same strainer over and over again. No more throwing away messy, disposable paint filters!

22. Create a Dusting Mitt

Cut off one leg of the pantyhose and slip your hand inside. The soft, stretchy material is perfect for dusting surfaces around your home, from shelves to electronics.

The nylon fabric picks up dust and dirt effectively without scratching delicate surfaces. Plus, because it’s so easy to wash, you can toss it in the laundry after each use. This eco-friendly dusting solution helps you reduce waste while keeping your home clean.

22. Make a Pet Hair Remover

If you have pets, you know how quickly fur can accumulate on your furniture and clothing. Put a pair of pantyhose over your hands and rub them over surfaces to attract pet hair. The static electricity created by the nylon helps lift fur off of couches, carpets, and clothing.

This method is not only effective but also gentle on fabrics. It’s a simple way to keep your home fur-free without using sticky lint rollers or other disposable products. After use, you can wash the pantyhose and keep using them for this purpose.

23. Create a Garden Ties

Cut the pantyhose into strips and use them to tie plants to stakes, trellises, or other support structures in your garden. The stretchy material is gentle on plants and won’t damage stems like some traditional garden ties can.

Plus, they provide support for climbing plants and seedlings as they grow taller. This creative repurposing helps keep your garden organized and thriving while reducing waste.