The Top 10 Things to Do with Old Socks in 2024 

December 3, 2024 • Grace Micere

Got a pile of old socks you’re not sure what to do with? Don't toss them out just yet! With a bit of creativity, those mismatched, holey, or stretched-out socks can be transformed into practical, genius goodies. Here’s how you can repurpose your old socks and put them to good use. 

Top 10 Things to Do with Your Old Socks 

There are hundreds of DIY ideas to implement using old socks. We put together this list of the top ten DIY bamboo sock projects to get you started. 

 

1. Make Dust Mitts 

Old socks make fantastic cleaning tools. Because bamboo socks are so soft, they are perfect for picking up dust from different surfaces. Simply slip one over your hand and use it as a dusting mitt. They work great for cleaning furniture, blinds, baseboards and much more.  

What’s even better is that you can easily toss the socks in the laundry when you’re done. Once they’re dry, you can get right back to using them for cleaning once again. If you want to clean hard-to-reach areas of the house, wrap a sock around the end of a broomstick or duster to give those pesky corners a good wipe. 

 

2. Heating Pads and Cold Packs  

You can turn your old socks into soothing heat packs or cold packs. How? Well, simply fill a clean sock with uncooked rice, tie or sew the end shut, and microwave it for a minute or two for a cozy heating pad. It works great for soothing body aches, pains, muscle stiffness and period cramps. 

Alternatively, you can fill the socks with rice and place them in the freezer to make a DIY cold pack on the fly. These work great for soothing bumps, bruises, or swelling, especially when store-bought cold packs are out of reach. 

 

3. Plant Pot Covers 

Breathe some new life into your potted plants by using patterned and colourful socks as covers for plain pots. Just cut off the toe and slide the sock up over the pot. This quick and easy solution adds a pop of colour to your indoor garden without spending a dime. 

4. Leather Buffers 

An old sock works wonders as a buffing cloth. Socks will do the job for you if you have some leather shoes, boots, or furniture that could use a polish.  

A pro tip is to apply shoe polish or leather conditioner to the sock for the first wipe, then use a clean one to buff the material to a nice shine. It’s a quick fix for any scuffs and scrapes that may be visible on these leather pieces. 

 

5. Pet Toys 

We all know how pets love to take our socks and bolt. So rather than stopping them, why not make them their very own sock toys? One way to do it is to knot a couple of socks together to create a tug toy for your dog. You can also fill one with catnip to entertain your cat. 

If you’re feeling creative, stuff a sock with old fabric scraps or another sock, tie the end and you’ve made a squishy toy that your pet will love. 

 

6. Sweatbands 

Use your old socks to create soft and sweat-wicking sweatbands for you and your gym buddies. Bamboo socks work great for this purpose because they are moisture-wicking and breathable. These bands will work great for you if you’re working out or doing some gardening and need to keep the sweat at bay.  

  • sweatbands from old socks

Simply cut the top part off a long sock and slide it onto your forehead. It’ll absorb sweat and keep you more comfortable while you get things done. You can also slip one onto your wrist to work as an extra sweat wipe. 

 

7. Hair Ties and Bun Makers 

Cutting the elastic part of an old sock makes a great DIY hair tie. It works great for people with thick hair. The best part is that unlike most hair ties, socks will hardly break as quickly as you tie your hair back or put it up. 

To make a sock bun, just cut off the toe of a sock and roll it into a doughnut shape. Slide it over your ponytail and tuck your hair around it for a full-looking bun. 

 

8. Protecting Fragile Items 

If you’ve ever moved to a new house and opened your box of wine glasses only to find half of them broken, you know the struggle. Don’t throw away your old socks because they’ll come in handy at such times. 

When packing up delicate items like glassware or ceramics, consider using socks as a protective covering. Do this by slipping the sock over each item to cushion it from bumps and knocks during transport. It’s a free and eco-friendly alternative to bubble wrap or packing peanuts. 

 

9. Shoe Deodorizers 

For funky-smelling shoes, stuff a pair of old socks with baking soda and a few drops of essential oil. Tie them off and stick them inside your shoes overnight. The socks will absorb odours and freshen your shoes. It’s an affordable way to get your shoes smelling better without using harsh chemicals. 

10. Scent Sachets 

You can carry your favourite scents with you everywhere you go using your old socks. Fill a sock with dried lavender, cedar chips, potpourri, or your preferred scent and tie off the end to create a fragrant sachet.  

Place it in your drawers, gym bag, or car to keep things smelling fresh. This is also a great natural alternative to mothballs for keeping pests out of storage boxes. 

 

In a Nutshell 

Your old, mismatched or torn socks don’t have to end up in the trash. You can use them as scent sachets, shoe deodorizers, hair ties, sweatbands, pet toys and leather buffers. Use them to protect fragile utensils, as dust mitts, heating pads, pot covers or cold packs. 

So, the next time you throw your favourite pair of socks in the wash and can’t find one of them, don’t worry. Turn the remaining sock into a DIY project to keep your socks going whilst you get yourself a new favourite pair. 

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