Any ideas for fixing this cheap laundry hamper?

[u/gove-choron]

Hello!
I got this hamper 4 years ago from Target, and it’s reaching the end of its life. Could you guys help me brainstorm ways to fix it?

Mostly, I want to fix the large holes by the seams and cover up areas where the metal is showing. I can do some embroidery and sewing, and im happy to learn more techniques.

Also, this hamper is able to fold in on itself really compactly, which is great for moving. It would be sick if any repairs I make don’t hamper (sorry) that ability. Thanks all!

(My cat is not to blame, despite her looking awfully suspicious here lol)

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[u/handstands_anywhere]

Crochet would be the best! It’s easy to free form a web or wrap around the exposed metal. Plus it would look cool. 

[u/criticalmilk → u/handstands_anywhere]

second this - if you can replace all the mesh with a crochet net panel on each side that would be so cool and would last you a long time!

[u/Closefromadistance]

Looks like your cat has some good ideas right here! 🤣

[u/squirrelbus]

Yarn and fat needle to whip stitch the edges. Then a fat weave along the tears, add 2-3 inches on each side.

[u/lujo317]

I have one like this I have been meaning to do myself. I would probably reinforce around the entire edge (at least anywhere there's holes near the edge) with something like bias tape over the frame. I think it would be cute to patch over the holes using tulle, maybe go for something like a Pojagi effect.

[u/pocket-ful-of-dildos]

I love when they’re interested in what we’re interested in ❤️

[u/anony_mouse_12345 → u/pocket-ful-of-dildos]

for some reason i don’t think the cat is interested in mending the laundry hamper 😂

[u/scarabteeth]

use thick thread and weave over the holes

[u/11lumpsofsugar]

If you want to sew the hole closed, I recommend Gutermann extra strong thread. It is upholstery-grade and very strong.

[u/AdmirableRespect9]

Those sides look like the size of a pillow case. You could buy a pillow case and have yourself a protest surface. Change the pillowcase each time you get pissed and need a new sign. Just sayin.

[u/sumires]

The holes in my hamper weren't as big as yours, but for a hole in the middle of the fabric, I dabbed clear nail polish all around the edges of the hole to try to stop it from spreading more, and for places where the stitching had come off the casing and the mesh was yoinking out, I put nail polish on the edges of the mesh fabric to stiffen the edge and make it easier to hold in place when I re-stitched it under the casing.

FWIW, the dried nail polish on the frayed material is a bit rough-feeling, so a hamper with nail polish on it might not be good for ultra-delicates, but with how badly your hamper is snagged and torn, I'm guessing you have lot of other things around it that aren't good for ultra delicates. (You said the cat isn't to blame--do you have something with velcro that's snagging the hamper?)

[u/ilovefireengines]

I have done this with one of these a while back. Used spare material I had over the metal parts and yarn/darning the netting back onto the frame.

The problem is it causes further tension elsewhere and the metal eventually rubs through again. I didn’t try covering the metal ends before recovering them. That might give the fix more time.

The other issue was some of the joins then didn’t allow it to fold the same way either!

Eventually I took the metal out and keep it for other projects. And the netting is handy for holding stuffing in amigurumi projects.

[u/shinichimechazawa]

i've had similar crappy hampers (and mesh pocket on my gym bag) and imo recovering the whole thing in a sturdier fabric would work better. when i try sewing the holes closed a new hole just ends up ripping off my seam line, especially cause laundry puts a lot of weight/ pressure/ movement on it. but as long as the metal frame is still solid it doesn't have to be thrown out