What do you do with old socks when they are worn-out or without matches?
Fantastic Uses for Old Socks
If you’re like most people, you probably throw them out. But did you know that your old socks can actually find valuable second uses? Before you throw out those old socks, check out these ways to reuse them!
If you are looking for other ways to use items, here are a few other posts to check out.
- 12 Creative Uses for Coffee Grounds
- Ways To Reuse Everyday Items
- 8+ Creative Uses For Baby Food Jars
- Recycle Straws 9+ Ways With These Creative Straw Uses
Homemade Toys
When you think of turning socks into toys, you probably just think of sock puppets.
While sock puppets are fun toys that you can make, old socks can be used to make more complex toys than that!
You can easily turn a sock into a cute stuffed bunny, dog, dragon, you name it! These toys can be for kids, or for pets, you can even add a squeaker!
Do a quick search on Pinterest and you’ll find all sorts of sewing and no-sew sock toy tutorials!
Moisturizing Cover
Suffer from dry hands or feet? One of the many possible uses for socks is as a moisturizing cover for your hands and feet.
They do sell special moisturizing covers, but they can be a little high. Why not use things you already have? All you have to do is rub moisturizer on your hands or feet, then cover them with socks.
The socks will help lock in the moisture and prevent the moisturizer from rubbing off before your skin can fully absorb it.
Do this at night, and you’ll wake up with wonderfully soft hands and/or feet! This is a great use for old socks as you may not like the idea of your everyday socks getting soaked overnight with moisturizer.
Rags
Perhaps one of the best uses for old socks is as cleaning rags. Old socks make good dusting rags and wash rags. For dusting rags, simply cover your hand with a sock, then go to work!
This is a great way to clean blinds or detailed things where you need fine control over your dusting tool. To use socks as wash rags you can also cover your hand, or you can cut them open for a wider cloth.
You can use sock rags for any task that requires a wet or dry cloth, including washing your car, mopping the floor, or polishing your shoes.
Crafts
Socks work great for all kinds of craft projects. Not only are crafts fun to do, but it can also make for some cute home decor.
Looking for craft ideas? Check out this adorable easy DIY Sock Snowman Craft with step by step photos.
Ice Pack Cover
Need to ice an area? You should never put cold ice packs directly on your skin. Some are sold with special covers, but others are not.
If you have an ice pack without a cover, you could try to wrap it in a towel, but those easily slip off. The best solution is to stick your ice pack in a clean old sock!
Knot the end so the pack won’t come out, and you’re ready to go! When the pack needs refreezing, stick it with its sock cover right back in the freezer!
Quilt Fabric
One of the many wonderful uses is to use as fabric for quilts! This is especially true if you have any socks with fun designs on them.
But even plain socks can make great fabric. Cut them apart and make square or rectangle cuts of fabric from them. If you had enough, you could make a whole quilt just from sock fabric!
What do you do with your old socks?
Kareing4 says
This is great ideas some i will now be using everyday . Another idea that socks can be used as an extra covering for bandages on sensitive skin or fragile skin of seniors , simply cut off the foot and you then have a sleeve to slip over the wrist or foot to slide up as an extra clean sleeve over a fresh dressing. When needed just remove and launder for the next time , it could be used.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Oh, I love the bandage idea. So smart! Thanks for sharing.
Belinda says
When I had an infection on my arm, I would lather the medicine over the area, wrap it with gauze, and then use the top part of an old sock to cover everything. It worked very well. I kept them washed and now I have a bag full in my medicine storage in case I need them again.
Tina G. says
I fill with uncooked rice, tie off or rubber band shut, then heat slightly(30-45 second) in the microwave and shazam – I hold arthritis relievers to heat my hands in morning when heading out to drive to work. I don’t over fill my socks and then they have some play in them – I can hold the steering wheel with them and still maneuver the car. Or place the rice sock in the freezer. Now you have a moldable ice bag with NO drips. And it’s not so cold, that you can keep it on for 15 minutes without freeze burn yourself. Then just toss back into the freezer for the next time.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
That is a great idea Tina! Thanks for sharing.
Anonymous says
My son likes cold can of pop but finds the can too cold and slippery. He simply slips the can into an old sock and it is easier to handle.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
That is a smart idea.
Naomi says
I use the socks we got at the hospital inside out over a swiffer sweeper, then toss it in the washer
I love the rice ice pack idea. So much easier than making a special bag for it. But it must have no holes in it…or even thin areas
Anonymous says
omg I am going to use this on my swiffer!
Darlene W. says
I had to have a replacement sponge cover to fit over my vacumn cleaners filter but the store didnt have it so I cut a white sock s ankle part that was fairly thin and put a safety pin in it to make it tight to slide over the existing torn sponge . Then I could use it without worry.
Annice says
Cut toe off; slip over arm when gardening around thorny or Woody plants that scrape/puncture skin.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Great idea Annice!
Texas Nana says
1.I pop my fragile old glass xmas ornaments in a sock to cushion them as I store them away each year.; I have my parents first xmas gold colored xmas ball . Its 70 years old and almost clear in color now !!
2. I have also used socks with toes cut off to secure bandages and IV tubing on at/dogs instead of a colloar of shame. 3. When camping I put a bar of soap in a sock and tie it to nearesr water tap or in a tree limb for clean up
Sally says
I use all mine to make Gnomes they are so cute and no sewing .You can use any size and make different size ones.
Makes great presents.
Reuse Grow Enjoy says
Cute idea Sally! Thanks for sharing.
Anonymous says
I reuse adult an toddler socks on my wooden kitchen chair legs, it keeps them from scratching the floor an also slides easy. I use a heavy rubber band around the top then roll the top of sock over the band. Can put in washer or just throw away an use others. They dont even have to match.. Enjoy 😄
Sharon P. says
I tried this but it didn’t work well even with a heavy duty elastic band
You can cut an old sock in pieces and glue it to the bottom of the chair legs or any piece of furniture to easily slide on a wood or tiled floor