Whether you have socks with holes or an abundance of missing matches—most of us have a selection of socks that no longer serve their original purpose. But you can still make the most of them rather than tossing them out. We spoke with organizing experts to explore the many ways one can reuse old socks. From pet toys for on-the-go to creating heatless curlers, here’s how to give old socks a second chance.
- Darla DeMarrow, certified professional organizer and owner of HeartWork Organizing LLC
- Tracy McCubbin, organization expert, author, speaker, and founder and CEO of dClutterfly a premiere decluttering home service
Microwaveable Heated Compress
If you don’t already have a heating pad a home, try filling an old sock with rice or flaxseeds to create your own. “Add a few drops of essential oils if desired, and microwave for up to two minutes each time,” says Darla DeMarrow, founder of HeartWork Organizing LLC. This is one of our favorite ways to make the most of old socks. The longer the sock, the better, as it will wrap around your entire neck.
Boot Cuffs
“For extra warmth in the winter, try cutting off the toe end of a long boot sock and folding it over the top of your boot to create a boot cuff,” shares DeMarrow. “Not only will this keep you warm, but it will also look cute.” Boot cuffs provide extra insulation around your calves to protect against the cold, and you can easily remove them to switch out for different occasions.
Sock Puppets for Kids
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“Use them to make sock puppets if you have kids in your life,” says Tracy McCubbin, organization expert and CEO of dClutterfly. It’s a fun activity and a creative way to make the most of what you already have at home. With just some old socks, hot glue, googley eyes, and other odds and ends—you’ll have a fun toy to enjoy with the kids.
Whiteboard Erasers
“Donate to a local classroom to be used for crafts or other uses like as erasers for whiteboards,” says McCubbin. Whether your kids are in school or not, donate old socks to be used as whiteboard erasers or use them at home to clean your own whiteboards.
Boot Shapers
“For tall socks, place tissue paper inside the socks and use them as soft but structured boot shapers to keep your tall boots at attention in the closet,” says DeMarrow. This is especially helpful for storing your boots during the off-season, preventing the leather from sinking into the creases.
Catnip Toy
“If you have a cat, fill the old sock with catnip,” says DeMarrow. When making homemade catnip socks, it’s important to choose socks without any holes, or the catnip will fall out. Socks are great for this kind of toy because they’re made of soft material that won’t harm your cat’s teeth or gums if they chew on it. The size is also manageable for cats to carry around in their mouths.
Heatless Curlers
If you’re into heatless hairstyles, think twice before throwing out that pair of long, fuzzy socks. The trend has been circulating around the internet for some time now, and it never fails to create perfect, bouncy curls overnight. Thick socks work the best because they’re stronger and create larger curls. Many creators have shared their tutorials on TikTok, including @abbybaffoe, who received over 7 million views on her in-depth tutorial video.
Pet Toys
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An old sock makes for the perfect pet toy while traveling. Throw a few in your pet’s travel bag to keep them entertained on long car rides or while visiting family and friends in unfamiliar places.
Polishing and Cleaning
The best polishing and cleaning rags are always cut-up bed sheets, t-shirts, and old socks. A thick, old sock makes an efficient polishing tool or a great option for wiping down surfaces and dusting. The sock’s soft texture prevents scratching delicate surfaces like glass, wood, or leather while cleaning or polishing. It’s convenient because you can simply slide it onto your hand.
Protect Your Furniture
Throw a few pairs of socks into your toolkit; they’re essential to have on hand when moving or rearranging furniture. Placing a pair of socks under a large piece of furniture (or slipping them over the feet) before moving it will protect your beautiful floors from scratches and scuffs.
