Alternative Uses for Socks

Around the House

• Socks fit your hands perfectly. Donning one to polish silver or to dust furniture seems like a no-brainer. They are also ideal for polishing shoes or even cleaning your car – then using a fresh one to buff it to perfection. Socks also make perfect “slip covers” for protecting your dress shoes while they are stored away. If you are packing for a trip, a sock is the right size for holding odds and ends or breakable items like a camera or eyeglasses. If you are packing to move, a sock is the perfect tool to wrap around bottles or glasses to secure them from breakage. You can store off-season holiday ornaments in the same way.

Crafts and Toys

• Sock puppets never fail to be a hit with the younger crowd, and making them is an enjoyable rainy day activity. You can also make a “fox tail” – a tennis ball in the toe of an old knee sock makes a toy that can be flung far and wide. Hold it by the tail and swing it around to get some good momentum going before throwing it. Another project is to stuff an old sock with polyfill and catnip to make a toy for your furry friend. For the coffee lover, make a “coffee cozy” to wrap around hot beverage mugs and cups.

Health

• Never mind expensive store-bought warming bags to soothe your muscles -- a sock filled with long grain rice or dried beans, tied securely at the open end and heated in the microwave, will give you the same comfy effect. Or, place the sock in the bottom of a chilly bed to warm it up before you jump in. On the other hand, you can also fill a sock with ice to make a do-it-yourself cold pack – perfect for headaches.

Beauty and Fashion

• Old socks are perfect for putting on after smothering your feet in moisturizer. Wear them overnight for an effective pedicure. For your hair, “sock buns” are a recent trend. To make one, you need to cut the toe out of an old sock and then roll the leg part up into a donut shape. Pull your pony tail through the hole and begin to wrap and tuck the hair around the sock while rolling it toward the crown of your head. When done, you have the perfect ballerina-style bun. To keep your tall boots in the right shape and to keep them from falling over, stuff tall socks with newspaper and insert them into the boot when they are being stored. Putting a piece of charcoal in the toe will also absorb moisture.