What we can do with a sock? open this and you know

9 Brilliant Hacks to Use Socks That Lost Their Mate

As frustrating as it is to lose a sock, imagine the remaining stocking's dismay. With no mate in sight, it’s often doomed to a lifetime at the bottom of your sock drawer or even worse—the trash. Instead of just tossing them out (and contributing to landfills), we have some options that can give them new life. In honor of Lost Sock Memorial Day on May 9, let's repurpose some of these lonely socks.

1. MOVE GLASSWARE IN ONE PIECE.

The cost of bubble wrap and packing materials can add up, especially if you need a lot of it during a move. Fortunately, single socks can be put to good use inside your packing boxes. Simply slide old socks over wine glasses, tuck socks into breakable cups or layer them between fragile plates. You can add extra padding by tucking more socks between breakables within a box. For this hack, the cleaner the better—no one wants to drink out of cups that smell like feet.

2. GET THE MOST OUT OF SOCKS AND SOAP.

Reusing socks for non-foot uses can save you a few dollars—but so can saving up those tiny slivers of bar soap. Fill old socks with remaining soap and tie them off for a soap-filled washcloth that uses every last bit of soap. If the thought of scrubbing with an old sock seems odd, you can trim them to create a smaller, less sock-like pouch that can also be used to transport soap in your suitcase.

3. FIND TINY THINGS YOU'VE LOST IN THE CARPET.

Small items like earring backs, tiny screws, and bobby pins are all easily lost in carpets and under furniture and likely sucked up by the vacuum later on. Luckily, a solo sock can save the day and all of your small but important items that you can't find. Slide the sock over your vacuum cleaner hose and use a rubber band to secure, then power on the vacuum to search for small, lost items without having to dig through a vacuum bag full of dirt.

4. CRAFT UP BABY KNEEPADS.

Babies who are crawling can benefit from your old foot duds by turning them into miniature kneepads. These tiny tubes, made by sniping off the foot of a sock, can protect delicate legs from bumps and scrapes caused by repetitious crawling. And during cooler weather, they can serve as leg warmers, as well.

5. MAKE ANTI-SCRATCH MITTS.

Sometimes kids (or adults) just can’t stop scratching a rash or bite, especially in cases of chicken pox or poison ivy. Just like mitts for babies, a pair of unmatched socks can be the perfect deterrent to breaking open scabs, bug bites, or irritating rashes, and help speed up healing.

6. DUST YOUR HOUSE.

There’s no need to go out and buy dust rags if you have a few unmatched socks laying around. Use them instead of paper towels or more expensive microfiber cloths to wipe down counters, entertainment centers or shelves that accumulate dust. Better yet, slip a fuzzy sock onto a Swiffer to clean floors while saving on refill wipes.

7. MAKE A CUP COZY.

Socks protect your feet from the cold, but a revamped sock can keep your hands safe from scalding mugs or icy cold cans. Creating a cup cozy takes minutes: cut the sock above the heel to create a sleeve, then seal the cut edge with fabric glue to prevent fraying. If you’re handy with needle and thread, sewing on buttons can add some flair, but that skill isn’t required to sip your coffee in comfort.

8. HANG SOCKS AS BIRD FEEDERS.

If you need to clear closet space, taking old socks outdoors is one way to recycle them. Thin socks and stockings are perfect for DIY thistle bird feeders that can be made in about two minutes.

9. CRAFT TOYS FOR KIDS.

When it comes to sock toys, there’s the obvious sock monkey and puppets. But regular old, white socks can be a palette for a variety of toys, like sock donuts for tiny culinary enthusiasts, spooky sock skeletons for Halloween, and themed toys for kids based on beloved characters from their favorite animated films. There are endless creative options when it comes to reassembling socks as stuffed toys and animals.