Orphan and old socks have plenty of new uses. - Stefanie Gabrych Fraser
Out there somewhere in a dark corner of the universe lurk hordes of single socks. Separated from their partners, orphan socks await transformation.
Though they appear to present many a problem to homemakers, help is at hand. There are uses for these orphan socks along with other well-worn or shrunken ones. Here are a few ideas for both house and garden.
Household Uses
- Dusting, Cleaning, and Polishing. Old, clean socks can be cut up and used as rags to wipe up spills, dry off counters, or polish furniture. They can be particularly handy in hard to clean areas such as blinds or when you have to reach under or into yucky places.
- Swiffer Pad Replacements. Use old socks as a Swiffer dry mop replacement instead of buying new pads.
- Under the Fridge Dust Catcher. Attach an old (clean) sock to a dowel or long stick with a rubber band and clean out the dust bunnies from under the stove, dish washer and fridge. If the sock is wet it gives it a scrub as well.
- Table or Chair Leg Covers. When moving furniture over non-carpeted floors for cleaning or decorating purposes, slip a sock over the legs of heavy tables, sofas, or chairs to prevent scratches on the floor.
- Draft Dodger. Make a long fabric tube (from an old scarf?) and fill the tube with old or orphan socks.
- Rag Rug. Make a cheerful and cozy rag rug.
- Storage Pouches. Put unmatched socks to use when packing small items such as small toys, marbles, holiday decorations or fragile figurines to help protect them during storage.
- Protecting Candles. Keep taper candles from getting broken or scratched by putting them in socks so they don't roll around the drawer.
- Drink Cozy. Use as insulation for both hot and cold beverage containers to keep hands from burning or freezing.
- Potpourri Sachets. Make sachets small potpourri for linen and underwear and pajama drawers.
- Shower Scrubby. When a bar of soap is worn down to a sliver, place inside a small sock and use it as a shower scrubby.
- Boots. Stuff tall socks with newspaper and slip into boots to keep them from flopping over and to absorb moisture. Or simply stuff old socks into boots and shoes to retain their shape.
- Boots. Use to polish boots and shoes.
- Shoe Covers. Cover shoes when storing them or stuffing them into a suitcase. The sock covers will keep shoes from becoming dusty or your other packed items from becoming dirty.
- Sock Sack. Make a sock sack to protect iPods or other electronic appliances.
- Snooker Ball Cleaner. Clean snooker balls of chalk and store in another sock.
- Golf Club Head Covers. Help out the golfer in the family and use as covers for this/her golf clubs.
Gardening Uses
- Mitts. Ideal for general weeding or planting seeds.
- Knee Pads. To protect knees and clothing, cut the feet off odd socks and use them as knee pads.
- Tie-up Strips. Just cut socks into long strips and use them to tie your plants to posts to keep them straight and strong.
- Composting. If they’re made from natural fiber, soak them in water and then bury them under plants in the garden.
How to Prevent Orphan Socks Syndrome
Fasten socks together with safety pins before laundering. Or hang a mesh bag near the laundry just for socks and tell the family to put only dirty socks in it, then launder the whole bagful as normal.
Copyright Stefanie Gabrych Fraser. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
