We’ve all lost socks doing laundry. In fact, the problem is so common that appliance powerhouse Samsung commissioned a study in 2017 to determine what’s going on inside our washers and dryers. Why are so many socks going AWOL? It’s not because there are a plethora of sock-eating washers and dryers out there. Instead, the study found that it’s due to a variety of reasons, including socks falling behind or under furniture, being separated from their partners on wash day, and/or being paired with the wrong mates. While the problem of socks going astray is likely here to stay, don’t despair. There are plenty of creative uses for solo socks, and here are just a few of them:
- 1. Dust Cloth Extraordinaire: Your socks should fit over your hands, so put one on when it’s time to clean house. In addition to dusting furniture, socks are especially suited to wiping baseboards, shutters, blind slats, ceiling fans, and even houseplants. In the garage, use single socks to clean and polish your car inside and out. When you’re finished, remove the sock by pulling it off inside-out, so the mess stays off your hand.
- 2. Wipe a Dog’s Paws and Toys: If your dog comes back from a walk wet or dirty, slip a sock on your hand and wipe off your pooch’s paws and any other affected areas. You might also want to put a sock on your hand when you’re tossing a ball, Frisbee, or other toys that may returned to you full of slobber.
- 3. Rejuvenate Dry Skin: One of the best ways to heal dry and cracked skin on your hands or feet is to cover the affected area with a moisturizer or petroleum jelly before you go to bed. Covering the affected area with a sock will keep the lotion from getting all over your bedding and will help your skin absorb the moisturizer.
- 4. Bust Bad Smells: Fill a stray sock with cat litter, knot the end, and place it in your tent when rolling it up for the season. You can also put coffee grounds or baking soda in leftover socks, knot them, and stick them into your shoes for an overnight deodorizer. Place potpourri or lavender into a sock, secure the end, and place it in a dresser drawer, gym bag or closet for a fresh scent.
- 5. Prevent Drafts: If your home has a drafty door or window, take a sock (tube socks work best) and fill it with popcorn kernels or dried beans. Sew the open end closed, then place the sock against the bottom of your drafty window or door.
- 6. Make Dryer Balls: Dryer balls bounce between your clothing and sheets to prevent them from clumping together. They also combat static and wrinkles, soften clothes, and fluff them out. Dryer balls can be pricey, but you can make your own using a solo sock. Fold up one sock into a small ball and place it on top of another sock. Then, roll the first sock up into the second, pulling the cuff over it all to make a larger ball. Another way you can do this is to drop a tennis ball into an old sock and secure the top.
