How To Get Rid Of Hanger Bumps

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How to Get Rid of Hanger Bumps and Other Quick Fashion Fixes

Bonus: Everything you need you'll find in your office supply cabinet!

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Go on. Be a fashion MacGyver.

Go on. Be the MacGyver of fashion.

At least once a week, a panicked co-worker comes into my office with some sort of fashion-related crisis. I've seen a jacket with belt loops … that was missing the belt (I used a pair of scissors to veeerycarefully remove the loops after determining that this wouldn't leave any holes), a small scuff in a black shoe (a swipe of black permanent marker did the trick), and a sweater that sheds everywhere(stick it in the freezer!).

But some problems are stumpers—and tough to deal with when you're not at home. Take, for instance, those horrible shoulder bumps that appear on sweaters that have been hanging in closets for too long. Or realizing that the the tips of your heels are completely worn down, leaving you quite literally walking on nails. If you're armed with a steamer, a sewing machine or another pair of shoes, fixing fashion mishaps is a cinch. When you're stuck in an office, though, it can be trickier. Here, five easy tricks for solving sudden sartorial dilemmas using things you can find in your office. May you never have hanger bumps again.

5 Quick Fashion Fixes

I Have Hanger Bumps on my Sweater.

What You'll Need: The water cooler.Whether you call them 'hanger bumps,' 'shoulder horns' or 'sweater nipples' (ew), get rid of them quickly by wetting your fingers and then vigorously rubbing them over the bump. The wet fibers will eventually and mold to your shoulders once they dry (this can take up to 10 minutes). If this doesn't work, try rubbing an ice cube over it. But prevention is key: Fold your sweaters or, if you must hang them, take a cue from the dry cleaners: Fold sweaters in half and then drape over the bottom of the hanger.

My Zipper's Stuck!

What You'll Need: A pencil and some lip balm.Gently tug at the side of the zipper to help dislodge any material stuck in it. Then rub the tip of a pencil over the teeth of the zipper. The graphite acts as a lubricant and should help unstick the track. Not working? Apply some lip balm to both sides of the zipper and gently work it down. Reapply, inch the zipper down and continue until you're completely unzipped.

My Stiletto Heel is Down to the Nail.

What You'll Need: An eraser.

Nothing is worse than click-clacking around in heels with completely worn-down taps (note: Those are the tiny pieces of plastic that protect the bottom of the heel). If you don't have time to make it to the cobbler, grab an eraser top and stick it on the tip of the heel. It'll keep you from sliding along slick tile floors.

I Have a Run in my Stocking.

What You'll Need: Glue, Wite-Out, clear nail polish or hairspray.

You've got a few options here. Dab it with clear nail polish, spritz a bit of hairspray on it, or apply a bit of glue to it. You want something sticky that will dry and prevent the run from getting worse. If the hole is high enough, even a dot of Wite-Out will work.

I Spilled my Lunch … on Myself.

What You'll Need: Dishwashing detergent from the office kitchen.When a colleague spilled her Thai lunch on her shirt, she thought the top would be a goner. But a quick trip to the office kitchen—where she applied some regular dishwashing detergent to the shirt—took care of the stain entirely. It makes sense, too: Dishwashing detergent cuts grease on kitchenware, and it's the best way to cut it out of your clothes, too.