How to Find New Uses for Old Socks

If you're one of those people who hates to waste anything, this article is the one for you. Old socks are always accumulating around the house--especially in large families where bags of them can rack up in record time. Good socks are not cheap and it really feels great to recycle them rather than throwing them in the garbage.

Instructions

1. Put socks on your hands for dusting, for washing the car or a bicycle, for polishing silver or brass or for cleaning anything at all. They work really well for grabbing fan blades and window blind slats and cleaning them, either wet or dry. Polish shoes with an old sock, or slip a sock over a yardstick and secure with a rubber band to clean underneath anything. Slip old socks over your shoes while painting to protect them.

2. Fill an old sock with rice and knot the end or use a big rubber band to keep it closed. Heat the sock in the microwave for two or three minutes. The rice will burn and stink so don't put it on for more than two minutes without checking it. As soon as it's hot enough to feel good without burning, it's the right temperature. Wrap the sock around your neck, knee or anywhere else that hurts. Put a wet rag in an old plastic bag and lay the rice sock over that for wet heat.

3. Old socks make great washable filler for all kinds of projects. Use them for kids' toys and seat cushions and pillows. Socks are fantastic for moving day--slip glasses and other small breakables into them for extra cushion. Cut them into strips and use them to tie up plants. Put mothballs inside them and put them in the attic to ward off mice, bats and beetles. Use the tops of socks to give new life to the wrist and leg bands of kids' PJs.

4. Use the top of a long sock for a drink cozy. Hem the top and bottom or just fold them under, and decorate them however you like. Use the tops of slim socks to cover the knees of babies while they're crawling around to protect them from carpet burns and hard floors. Use them under pants for your own knees when it's freezing out. Don't forget to make sock puppets and sock monkeys, which delight small children.

5. Make the animal world a little nicer with old socks. Knot long socks for tug of war games with the dog. You can also put a tennis ball in the sock and use it to play fetch with him. That way, it's easier to pick up and throw. Fill small socks with fabric scraps and catnip for free cat toys. Horses' legs can be kept warm with long socks and their bandages can be kept in place nicely as well. In the cold, use them to keep pets' legs and paws warm. Old socks make wonderful filler for pet beds, too as they're soft and easy to wash. Stick up a bed from a big old towel and fill it with socks. It's better if you cut them in small pieces and stitch up the sides for a cheap, easy and washable pet bed.

6. Put tons of lotion or petroleum jelly on your feet and hands and sleep with socks on. In the morning you'll feel like those hands and feet are brand new. Cover an ice bag with a sock for a cozier feel. Make small potpourri for your drawers--you can make several out of one long adult sock. These are great in underwear and pajama drawers.

7. Use old socks as pouches for all kinds of things, such as marbles, dominoes (no more turning them over, just reach in and grab them), checkers and play building logs. Tie lots of long socks in all different colors together and make a unique jump rope for the kids. Take a baby's sock and stitch a five-inch length of cord or ribbon (whatever you have around the house) near the top hem. Decorate the sock and tie it by wrapping the ribbon around twice for a cute little coin purse. Cut the toe area and about half the foot of an adult sock and fill it half full of beans or beads. Shape it into a ball, tuck the ends in and sew it to make a hacky sack for kids to kick around.

8. Make a toasty warm sock quilt. Just cut the socks into shapes you like and stitch them together like any other quilt. Add an old blanket and then a back and you will have one of the warmest quilts you've ever had. Make a grass head doll. Fill the sock with grass seed, tie it with a rubber band and water it. Then let kids paint a face on it. They can even plant them later if they want to.

9. Throw old soap slivers in socks and stitch or tie the ends with a rubber band and let kids wash up in the tub with them. Hang a sock from the outdoor faucet with soap inside. Fill long socks (tube socks for men are super) with rice, dried beans or any filler you want, and use them for draft stoppers in front of doors and on window sills.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep all of your old socks in a bag somewhere and then have a great rainy day fun fest with the kids making all kinds of things.