11 genius ideas to repurpose old socks instead of tossing them
Don’t be so quick to throw away your dingy pairs.
Chances are you probably have way too many dingy or mismatched socks in your chest of drawers. Maybe you thought you could refresh them in the wash or eventually find the match to one of your favourites. Instead, time flies and your drawer is cluttered with socks you never wear. It’s just one of the things to declutter if your bedroom drawers won’t shut.
An easy solution instead of throwing them away? There are creative ways to reuse old socks, from dusting surfaces to organising jewellery when travelling. Keep scrolling for genius ideas, including a few pointers from Carolyn Forté of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab.
Dusting tasks
Dust builds up quickly, so it’s key to clean surfaces in your home regularly. Surprisingly, old socks can come in handy when tackling this household chore. ‘I think old socks could make good dusters, especially for things such as blinds, plant leaves, and bannisters,’ says Forté.
RELATED: 5 places you’re forgetting to dust
Handbag shaper
Don’t settle for slouchy handbags. Since some styles don’t come stuffed with tissue paper when you purchase them, socks can easily do the trick. Before storing them in your wardrobe, stuff each one with a few rolled-up socks to help maintain their shape.
Whiteboard eraser
If your kid happens to lose their whiteboard eraser during the school year, and old sock is the next best thing. It’s easy to store in their pencil case, too.
Cleaning cloths
Need to clean walls, skirting boards or even a tabletop? Simply dampen your old sock with warm, soapy water and put it on your hand like a glove to get the job done.
Cleaning fragile items
‘Put a sock on each hand, dampen one lightly, keeping the other dry to wash and dry lightbulbs, crystal chandeliers or other delicate fixtures,’ says Forté.
Shoe deodoriser
From all the practice sessions to after-school games, you’re probably in need of an easy way to freshen up your kids’ smelly shoes. ‘You could fill an old sock with bicarb, tie the top, and use it to slip into shoes and trainers as a shoe deodoriser,’ advises Forté.
Storing delicate items
If you’re storing delicate items such glass ornaments in a box, you can try wrapping each one with old socks to prevent damage. Forté has another trick as well: ‘You could use them to store or pack away candlestick holders or anything long and narrow.’
Polishing shoes
There’s no need to panic if you can’t find your go-to brush for polishing shoes. Grab an old sock, dip it in polish, and start working to make your shoes look new again.
RELATED: How to clean leather and suede
Cushion filler
DIY cushions can turn a drab sofa into a stunner. To make your own cushion filler, all you have to do is cut up old socks into shreds or small pieces. The result? Not only will you enjoy loftier filling – you’ll have an easier time fluffing your cushions whenever they need a refresh.
Draught stopper
Here’s a great way to fix a draughty door in a pinch. Stuff your worn socks with rice or any old pillow filler and stitch the ends to make your very own draught blockers.
Travel jewellery organiser
Whether you never got around to buying a travel jewellery organiser or accidentally left yours behind, old socks can protect your collection when you’re on the go.
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