Don’t Toss Those Extra Hangers: 7 Smart Uses for Them

Hangers have a sneaky way of cluttering up your closets. Between wire hangers from the dry cleaner, mismatched plastic hangers from past purchases, and wooden ones that somehow migrated from the coat closet, they have a way of piling up. Before long, they’re a tangled mess on your rods or in a pile on the floor.

And unlike other household clutter, clothes hangers can feel useful to hold onto, which makes them easy to save “just in case.” But if you have more hangers than you have clothes, they’re likely creating more chaos than convenience. The good news is that hangers can be repurposed around the house, donated to someone who needs them, or recycled through the right channels. Whether your goal is a tidier closet or less visual clutter, these practical ideas will help you decide exactly what to do with all those extra hangers.

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Decide How Many Hangers You Actually Need

Before repurposing or donating anything, determine how many hangers your household truly needs and uses. Start by counting hanging clothes in primary closets, coat closets, and guest rooms. Then add a small buffer for laundry day, new purchases, or seasonal wardrobe swaps.

For most households, the ideal number is fewer than you think. Keeping only what supports your current lifestyle makes closets easier to maintain than wrangling the extras.

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Streamline Your System

One of the simplest ways to reduce hanger clutter is to choose one or two hanger styles (ideally per household, but if you must, per closet) and then be prepared to let the rest go. Matching hangers instantly create a cleaner aesthetic in closets and—more importantly—function better by aligning neatly on rods. Choose styles that work best for your clothes and your space.

For example, slim velvet hangers save room on the rod and help slippery items stay put. Wooden hangers are ideal for more structured garments like coats and blazers. Basic plastic hangers can work well in kids’ closets or laundry rooms, especially if you often hang dry wet items. If you have pant or skirt hangers, decide which style is easiest to use, whether it be open-ended or clips.

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What to Do With Extra Hangers

Once you’ve figured out how many hangers you need and what types you want to keep, it's time to tackle the pile of mismatched extras. You very well may also have some empty keepers that you want to organize. Choose from one (or more!) of the ideas below that will help you either store, repurpose, or get rid of extra hangers.

1. Create a Backstock Bin

Instead of scattering your extra hangers across closet rods, shelves, and floors, designate one spot for overflow. Place them in an open bin and place it on a shelf in the closet or the laundry room (which can streamline putting things away after each load). Alternatively, if you have enough open space on a closet rod, keep all the extras hanging together in a corner. If you need a hanger for the new dress you just bought, you’ll know exactly where to find it. This method keeps backups accessible without allowing them to spread and create clutter once again.

2. Plan Outfits with Spare Hangers

If you’re in the habit of planning outfits—whether it’s your weekly wardrobe or for frequent travel—it’s a smart idea to set aside some spare hangers specifically for this purpose. You can hang complete outfits on a single hanger and then loop accessories like scarves or belts over the hook. This method works particularly well during busy seasons when decision fatigue runs high.

3. Keep Hangers on Hand in the Laundry Room

Extra hangers can streamline laundry day, and are especially useful for air-drying items. Keep a handful near your washing machine or drying rack for blouses, dresses, workout wear, or delicate pieces that should skip the dryer. If you often fold laundry in another room, bring a small batch of empty hangers with you so clean clothes can be rehung immediately rather than piling up on beds, chairs, or the couch. Remember, the easier you make it to put things away, the less likely laundry is to linger.

4. Repurpose Hangers for Household Storage

Some spare hangers can be used for more than just clothing storage. Before buying a specialty organizer, consider these practical options to corral clutter in your home:

Accessory organizer. Attach shower curtain rings or S hooks to the hanger for belts, hats, or jewelry.
Gift bag organization. Using the same rings or hooks as above, loop the gift bag handles onto them, then hang the hangers in an underused closet, such as the guest room or wherever you store your other gift wrap supplies. Organize bags by type, such as birthday or holiday, so you can find what you need in a pinch.
Coat closet help. Again, using rings or hooks, hang reusable shopping bags, umbrellas, or pet leashes on a hanger to streamline a small coat closet.
Cleaning bottle holder. Hang spray bottles by their triggers on a sturdy hanger (preferably wooden) in a utility or cleaning closet.
Linen storage. Also using a sturdy hanger, fold blankets, quilts, and tablecloths over the bar to keep them neat and accessible in a closet.

5. Save a Few Hangers for Guests

If you host, keep a handful of empty matching hangers in the coat and guest room closet. It’s a small detail, but it makes visitors feel welcome and gives them a place to hang their things without needing to ask if you have spare hangers.

6. Donate the Rest

If your extra hangers are functional but you don’t have use for them, donation is often the easiest next step. Many organizations can use hangers, but it’s always best to call and ask before blindly offloading them. Consider donating hangers to any of the following places:

Shelters or transitional housing programs
Thrift stores
Churches
Community theaters or schools for drama programs
Friends, neighbors, or college students setting up a first apartment

If you don’t know anyone personally, you can post them for free pickup on your town’s Facebook or NextDoor page.

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7. Return Wire Hangers to the Dry Cleaner

Wire hangers are awkward to store and not necessarily the best for your clothes long term. If they came from a dry cleaner, ask whether the business accepts returns. Many do, and some will likely appreciate customers bringing them back in batches. This can be one of the easiest ways to clear clutter while also being sustainable.

8 Recycle Hangers When Possible

Speaking of sustainability, hangers are notoriously difficult to recycle. But it’s not impossible. In the unlikely scenario that your dry cleaner refuses returns, metal or wire hangers can be recycled at most scrap metal facilities. Some plastic or wooden hangers can potentially be recycled through a special program, depending on your municipality’s rules, so check with your local office. There are programs popping up, such as The ReCollective in Raleigh, North Carolina, that specifically help residents with hanger recycling.

One of the best ways to combat waste (and clutter!) when it comes to hangers is to stop buying new ones going forward. Especially after you declutter them, you might feel the urge to hit the “add to cart” button for a pretty matching set. Instead, focus on decluttering clothes that no longer fit you or your style (both fashion and life) to free up hangers for what you already have and love, as well as for future pieces. While on the subject of shopping, always refuse to take home store hangers when the cashier is bagging your items. Oftentimes, preventing clutter in the first place is much easier than letting go of it after the fact.