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Tips and Tricks

Loose drawstrings driving you crazy? Here’s how to easily get them back into your clothes.

Maryal Miller Carter
USA TODAY

Drawstrings really come in handy when you need to keep sweatpants or shorts secure or cinch up that hoodie to block out the elements. However, as most of us know all too well, drawstrings can easily slip out of clothing, especially in the wash, and they’re notoriously difficult to put back in. The struggle to thread the string through the eyelet and all the way through the casing of your clothing can be incredibly frustrating and time-consuming. Luckily, you can make this pesky little task easier and faster by trying a few simple tricks. Here we’ll show you how to thread a drawstring back into items like pants, sweatpants, shorts, and sweatshirts quickly and easily.

Watch the video above to learn how to get a drawstring back into clothes faster.

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How to get a drawstring back into clothes

  • Grab a paper clip or safety pin. Just make sure it fits inside the hole in the clothing that the drawstring will be threaded through.
  • Attach the paper clip/safety pin to one end of the drawstring. When using a paper clip, extend the paper clip out (“uncoil” it) before piercing the drawstring to make it easier to thread through the garment.
  • Insert the paper clip/safety pin and drawstring into the hole in the clothing and thread it through the casing until it comes out of the hole at the other end. Having the drawstring attached to something rigid makes this job much easier to manage. 
  • When finished, remove the safety pin/paper clip and tie a knot at both ends of the drawstring to ensure that it doesn’t slip out of the holes again. 

How to get a drawstring back into clothes with a straw

  • Insert one end of the drawstring into a straw.
  • To secure the drawstring in place inside the straw, staple the drawstring to the straw.
  • Insert the straw into the hole in the clothing and thread it through the casing until it comes out of the hole at the other end.
  • Remove the staple.
  • Tie a knot at both ends of the drawstring to ensure that it does’t slip out of the hole again. 

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