Our socks collection is almost double our shoe collection. But have you noticed most of them are useless, missing, or mismatched? Socks often wear out, get holes, and sometimes one goes missing. Therefore, we all need creative ways to use those old socks.
Instead of throwing away those old mismatched socks, you can use them in several ways. An old sock can be used to make sock puppets, dryer balls, headbands, scarves, and more. They can also be used as ice packs, hot packs, arm, leg warmers, etc.
Socks are an amazing accessory. They protect your feet and keep them warm. Moreover, they come in beautiful designs and colors. Here are a few creative DIYs to use your socks besides wearing them.
I Have Too Many Old Socks
If your like me, you have too many old socks that you feel like you want to get rid of but still feel like they could be of use somehow. Maybe one of your socks is missing or too old to wear. Reusing them is very doable. Here are 20 uses for your old socks.
1. Use Old Socks to Make Sock Puppets
Things You Need:
- A pair of old socks
- Needle
- Thread
- Fabric
- Yarn
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Markers
You can easily make sock puppets from your old socks and even personalize them. Depending on your preferences, you can make a simple and classic or a complicated and creative one.
Sock puppets are one of the kids’ favorite toys. Use either normal-sized socks or knee-high socks; however, ankle socks won’t work.
Making sock puppets can be a fun activity for your kids as well. You can let your kids make and play with this fun little accessory.
2. Use Old Socks to Make a Draft Stopper
Cold weather can seep into your home through the gap under the doors. A draft stopper is an easy way to keep the cold weather out of your home. You need a few supplies to make a draft stopper from your old socks.
Things You Need:
- A pair of socks
- Needle and thread
- Scissors
- Tape
- Rice or popcorn
- Stuffing
Here are a few instructions if you want to make a draft stopper:
- First, take a look at the length you need. Then, cut your socks off at the feet until you get the required length to cover the width of the door.
- Turn the socks inside out. Sew one end of one of the sock tubes leaving the other open from both sides.
- Sew together both the sock tubes to make one long tube.
- Stuff the long sock tube with rice, popcorn, or stuffing. You can use a combination of this stuffing.
- Put a handful of rice and settle it at the end of the socks. Then put a handful of stuffing and settle it where the rice is. Repeat it until it is completely stuffed.
- Once the sock tube is stuffed, sew the other end to shut the tube.
- Place it in front of your door, and you’re done!
3. Use Old Socks as An Ice Pack Cover
When a nasty insect bites you, what would you do? You will try to reduce the swelling with an ice pack but do not place it directly on your skin.
Ice packs are amazing but can be extremely cold if directly placed against your skin. Instead of using other fabric that may slip, you can use an old sock to cover the ice pack. Now put it over the swelling.
The ice pack cover will create an excellent barrier between your skin and the sharp coldness. It also helps make the ice pack more tolerable and avoid freeze burns.
You can also make an ice pack from your old socks. Just put a few pairs of old socks together and fill them with ice cubes. And there you have it; if you want, you can cut off the foot part to make a nicer ice pack.
4. Use Old Socks as Hot Pack
You can also make a hot pack from an old sock.
- Take an old sock and fill it with rice using a cup or bowl. One cup will be enough to fill the sock.
- Stretch your sock around the cup to pour the rice into it quickly.
- Don’t fill your sock. Leave enough space so that it can mold around your shoulder. Make a knot with a sock to hold the rice in.
- If you want a permanent sock hot pack, cut the extra part once the rice is stuffed into the sock and sew it.
- Place it in the microwave for about 30 seconds to heat it and get relief from all the pain.
- You can microwave the rice sock pack again if it gets cold.
5. Use Old Socks as an Arm Warmer
Socks are perfect to use as arm warmers. You can use your old or mismatched socks to make great arm warmers. I would suggest using thick socks for this DIY.
- Cut a thumb hole in the heel of a sock and put it over your hand.
- Decide where the cutoff should be for your fingers.
- Cut the extra sock from the foot area. If your socks are knee-high, you are done here!
- But if your socks are shorter in length, you would need multiple socks.
- Cut the foot part of each sock and sew them together. Your arm warmer is ready.
- Make a few arm warmers so that you and your kids can keep extra warm.
6. Use Old Socks as Leg Warmers
You can also use your old or mismatched socks to make leg warmers. This one is my favorite and probably the easiest sock DIY.
- Just cut the toe part off your socks and get instant leg warmers.
- If you have mismatched socks, simply grab different pieces of socks, create a pattern, and sew them together.
- Tube socks are a great option for leg warmers if you want to make them for yourself.
- If you are making leg warmers for your kids, you can wear regular socks.
7. Use Old Socks as Wrist Rest
Tired of typing all day? But not anymore! A wrist rest protects your wrist from injuries and tendonitis. You can easily make a wrist rest from your old socks and rice and start using the keyboard for an extended period.
- Cut off the foot section of old socks.
- If you have regular socks, grab two sock tubes, but one will be enough if you have knee-high socks.
- Turn the sock inside out.
- Sew one end of the sock to shut it.
- In the case of two sock tubes, you need to sew both sock tubes (inside out) together.
- Flip the sock over and fill it with rice.
- Close the sock by sewing it at the other end.
- Your wristrest is ready!
8. Use Old Socks to Make a Jump Rope
Making a jump rope is an easy task, but you will need several pairs of old socks. You can personalize it as per your choice.
- Grab several pairs of old socks and cut off the feet sections of socks.
- Now sew all those socks together until you create a fancy jump rope.
- Add more socks if the jump rope is not long enough.
- Stitching the socks together bunches them up, thus making a nice permanent jump rope.
- If you don’t know how to sew them, you can use duct tape to stick them together. The tape adds some weight to your jump rope, making it easier to jump.
9. Use Old Socks to Make a Hacky Sack
To make a hacky sack, you only need the toe of a sock.
- First, put rice in your sock to see how big your hacky sack should be.
- Once you decide the size, remove the rice and trim your sock.
- Start sewing the sock and leave an opening at the end.
- Now add the rice back into the sock. Leave a bit of space so that it isn’t too tight.
- You can use a funnel to fill your sock with rice.
- Once your sock is filled with rice, sew it closed.
- I suggest sewing back and forth to add some strength to the stitches.
- You can also cover the hacky sack with another sock end to ensure it won’t come apart.
10. Use Old Socks to Make a Dryer Ball
Dryer balls are used to fluff your clothes without fabric softener and dryer sheets. You can use them for pillows and bedsheets. Nevertheless, if you don’t want to spend extra money on them, you can simply make one yourself.
- Grab a tennis ball and put it inside a clean old sock.
- Secure with a knot or cut and sew to fit.
- Your homemade dryer ball is ready.
11. Use Old Socks to Make a Pin Cushion
Do you need extra pin cushions? You can make them from your old socks.
- Cut off the foot section of the sock.
- If you want a small pin cushion, you can also cut its heel.
- Fill it with rice and stuffing.
- First, add the rice and then the stuffing.
- Close the sock and sew it up.
12. Use Old Socks to Save Game Pieces Together
You can use your old socks to keep your game pieces organized. For example, you can keep all your game pieces together in one sock. Or, if you want to save game pieces for multi-players, you can use socks of different colors for each player.
You can use regular-sized socks, knee-high-length socks, or even ankle socks. If you want to make fancier pouches, you can cut different socks and sew them or secure them with pins.
13. Use Old Socks as A Duster
Socks can become excellent dusters since they fit perfectly over your hand. So by putting one on your hand, you get a handy duster.
Your old socks work perfectly for all sorts of cleaning since you can slip them over your hand, move them with your hand, and even apply light pressure when needed.
You can use these old socks to clean your house, your furniture, ceiling fans, baseboards, dusty blinds, shutters, slats, etc. You can use these socks to dry to dust off surfaces or wet them to clean your space thoroughly.
The old socks will collect dust, dirt, and hair from your tables, appliances, and blinds. Once you are done with all the cleaning, simply throw them in the laundry and get them cleaned for future use.
14. Use Old Socks as a White/Black Board Eraser
Have a black/whiteboard but lost your eraser? No problem! You can use your old socks as erasers. Turn your socks inside out and start wiping the board.
I would suggest using dark-colored or black-colored socks to erase the black marker. Then, you can throw your socks in the laundry and get them cleaned.
15. Use Old Socks to Make a Scarf
This is another great DIY to use your old socks.
- Grab a few clean old socks and cut off the feet part of them.
- Tie them all together to make a lovely scarf.
- Add as many socks as you like according to the length you want, and your scarf is ready.
- Suppose you want a permanent scarf. You can sew them together rather than tying them.
- You need to flatten the socks and sew them together to make a nice long scarf.
- You will need 5 to 6 knee-high socks to make a nice long colorful scarf for your kids. Then, make it even cuter by adding pompoms.
16. Use Old Socks to Make a Headband
You can use your old socks to make cute headbands. This might be the simplest DIY for socks.
Sew or stick the toe end of the sock to the sock’s opening. Put a few safety pins into the sock headband to hold it together. Put it on your head, and you’re done!
17. Use Old Socks to Make Ponytail Hairbands
Another simple DIY for socks is making hairbands or ponytail bands from your old socks. Cut a small or large part from the sock tube. That’s it! Your ponytail hairband is ready. Use this section as you use your regular hair scrunchies.
18. Use Old Socks as A Shoe Deodorizer
If your shoes are stinky, don’t worry! Now you can have a homemade shoe deodorizer.
- Take two old socks.
- Add a few tablespoons of baking soda or ground coffee to the foot of the socks.
- Tie them off, either sew them or tie knots to close them.
- Leave them overnight inside those stinky shoes.
- This homemade deodorizer will absorb all the smell and odor from your shoes.
19. Use Old Socks as A Shoe Brush
You can use your old sock as a shoe brush. You can remove the dust from shoes, apply shoe polish, and even shine your shoes with those old socks.
Old socks are great for polishing shoes. Get your socks, dab the polish on, and apply it over your shoe. It is very helpful to be accurate and get into all the smallest details.
20. Use Old Socks to Make a Cat Toy
Cats love to chase and catch things! So if you want to surprise your cat, make a pet for them from your old socks.
- Grab your old sock.
- Fill the toe of the sock with catnip and polyfill and secure it with a knot.
- Tie a string to a stick
- Attach the sock to the other end of the string.
- Watch your cat play for hours!
Thanks for visiting helpshoe.com
References