Creative Ways to Give Lonely Socks a New Purpose

Stuck with socks laying around in the house but they don’t have a friend to match?

Don’t just throw them away! They may still prove useful to you yet.

Finding ways to reuse fabrics and materials not only helps to save the environment, but can also save you some money in the future. Cloth is a valuable resource that we should use for as long as possible before recycling – many items that end up in the dump could still have a purpose!

All you need: Scissors, needle, and thread.

Here are different creative ways you can use make use out of those ‘odd-ones-out’ socks.

1. Bottle Sleeve

Repurposing your single socks to be used as a bottle sleeve can provide several benefits:

• Keeping hot and cold beverages dry from condensation
• Protecting your hands from freezing or boiling temperatures
• Protecting glass water bottles from scratches and small falls
• Preventing the beverage from slipping out of your hand

Making a bottle sleeve from a sock is super easy! You can cut off the toe point from the sock for a simple sleeve, or alternatively keep the toe and remove the heel of the sock for a closed sleeve that protects the bottom as well.

2. Whiteboard & Chalkboard Eraser

Better than using your hand or your sleeve!

You can use an old sock as a whiteboard (or chalkboard) eraser, and easily throw it into the wash (or just rinse it out) when it’s time.

No need to stand outside and clean your chalkboard eraser in a big dusty cloud anymore.

3. Cover your pot plants

For some funky and different style of decoration, give your colourful socks a chance to shine in the creative way of adding some pop to your place.

To create a simple sleeve, remove the toe section of a sock, and use the tube to cover skinny pots and vases.

Mix and match different socks for a splash of color around the house!

4. Dusting & Blinds

Socks are excellent for cleaning up around the house.

Just slip one on your hand and you have a quick and dynamic dusting mitt.

You can recycle it when you are done, or put them through the wash and use them for the same purpose again.

Make sure to use a nice and soft sock to ensure your surfaces won’t be scratched, and you’re good to go.

5. Hacky Sack

You only need the the end of your sock to make a fun hacky sack!

Use a funnel to fill your hacky sack with rice (or another material if you choose).

Once you have as much rice as you prefer, sew up the open end of the sock.

You can sew the edges to make your hacky sack rounder, and don’t forget sew back across to add some extra strength to the stitches.

If you want to really make sure it doesn’t come apart, use another sock end and cover the hacky sack with it.

6. Ice Pack

There always comes a time when an ice pack is needed – and something to wrap it in.

Ice packs can be too cold to place directly onto your skin, and may cause more damage than good. Use an old sock (or several) to cover up the ice pack and create a barrier between the ice and your yourself.

If you’d like to make it more official, you can trim the sock to the size of your ice pack and even add features like a button to open and close the pouch.

Once again, it comes in handy that you can give the sock cover a good wash after using it.

7. Knee Pads

Fun and colourful, loose-fitting socks can make some handy knee pads.

Remove the toe sections of the sock, then use the tube to either protect your pants or your knees when you are going to kneel a lot. Great for gardening and other yard work, then pop it in the wash when you’re done.

Be sure not to use socks that fit too snugly, as you don’t want to limit the blood circulation to your legs!

Fold over socks or use multiple sock tubes for extra cushioning.

8. Phone Cover

There’s a lot of fun socks with patterns out there, and if your washing machine ate one of your favourites – don’t fret!

You can create a simple phone cover with the end of your sock. Simply cut the sock to size and sew up the edges to create a neater look.

Bonus points if you have an extra shoelace or ribbon lying around, you can add it to your cover to make a lanyard.

9. Pin Cushion

Use a portion of a sock for a pin cushion!

Shorten the sock up to the heel, then fill it with stuffing to make a nice round shape.

You can add a heavier object such as some pebbles or rice on the bottom side of the sock to give it some weight. This can help prevent it from rolling around on the table.

Sew up the edges and ta-da! You have yourself a dandy pin cushion.

10. Protect items when you pack them in boxes

Socks can be helpful when you’re moving and save you from using a lot of newspaper.

You can use them to cover and help protect different items when you’re traveling. Place the items right into a sock or two and you’re good to go.

For very delicate objects, you may want to add some bubblewrap or a similar type of padding for extra protection.

11. Shoe Freshener

Shoes can become quite potent over time, but a lone sock can save the day.

Fill a sock with baking soda and tie it off (or sew it closed) for a handy shoe freshener. Just leave them inside your shoes when you are not wearing them to absorb moisture and odors.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even add some scented flowers or herbs to truly be at the top of the shoe game.

12. Sock puppet

A fun activity for kids (and adults) to practice your creativity!

Creating a sock puppet can be as simple as super-gluing on some google eyes and making a colourful, minimalistic snake.

You can also make use of materials such as buttons, felt and yarn to create more features for your pet sock. If you have offcuts of other socks lying around, you can make use out of them too.

13. Wrist Band

A sock can become a useful wrist band!

Whether you’re at the gym or out on a run, an absorbent wrist band can come in handy when you don’t have a towel lying around. Wipe the sweat off your brow with the flick of your wrist and carry on!

Not an outdoors person? No sweat! If you spend a lot of time at your desk, it may also come in handy to keep those joints from aching. Always be sure that your band is not so tight that your hands feel numb over time.

14. Organize game pieces

Keep your game pieces organized with socks!

You can keep them all together in one sock, or if you have pieces for multiple players, use a different color sock for each person.

This may be useful when playing games with younger children, as the socks are very durable and less likely to cause harm than little plastic packets.

Their durability also means less replacements for those who enjoy playing board games often, as packets can wear out from the constant packing and unpacking of pieces.

You can tie off the sock with a simple knot, or make use of some ribbon or elastic band.

15. Socks to protect golf clubs

Socks can make great golf club covers to protect them from wear and tear.

Use a sock as is, or write on the foot in permanent marker to identify what type of club is covered. With a bit more effort, you could add a fabric tag onto it.

If you want to dazzle your fellow golfers, go with some bright and fun patterns instead!

16. Protect your sunglasses

Much like a phone case, a soft sock can make an ideal pouch for sunglasses.

Use the sock as is, or remove the toe of the sock and sew it shut (inside out) to create a more uniform shape. To add some security, you can attach a button or ribbon to prevent the sunglasses from falling out.

More bonus points if you have a shoelace or ribbon lying around to make a lanyard!

17. Vacuum small items

It can be quite a pain to pick up tiny items when you spill them all over the floor.

Instead, stick a sock on the end of a vacuum hose and use a rubber binder to hold it in place.

Now you can vacuum the small pieces without losing them inside your vacuum (sparing you and the machine a headache.)

Pull the sock tight for best results. Otherwise, the sock is going to get sucked into the vacuum pipe and you’ll have a whole new “oopsie” on your hands.

18. Use as wrist rest

Wrist rests can help when using keyboards for long periods of time. You can easily make one from a sock.

Start by cutting off the toe section of your sock. If you have a knee-high sock, 1 sock should be fine, otherwise, you might need two sock tubes to make your wrist rest.

Turn your sock inside out and sew one end shut. If you are using two socks, sew the second (inside out sock) to the first one.

Turn your sock right side out and fill it with rice. You don’t need it bursting full of rice; test it out and add and remove rice until your wrists feel comfortable.

Sew the sock closed and you have your wrist rest.

Now you have a whole repertoire of new ways to reuse valuable materials!

The next time you’re stuck at home with nothing to do, or feeling that creative itch to make something new – go wild with those single socks!

A lonely sock gaining new purpose in life can provide ample entertainment, and protect the environment at the same time.