Pick Up Small Objects
If you’ve broken your favorite necklace and now tiny beads abound on the floor, this trick will help you recover them (or other small objects) with ease. Slide a sock on the end of your vacuum hose and secure it with a rubber band. Once you turn on the vacuum, the pieces will stick to the sock without getting sucked down the hose.
Related: Editors' Picks: Today's Top 7 Vacuum Cleaners
Polish Shoes or Silver
A solo sock can effortlessly polish silver or shine a pair of shoes. We suggest using a cotton sock for this task, because the gentle fibers won’t leave behind any scratches.
Related: 3 Fixes for Tarnished Silver
Block the Draft
Keep a cold draft from creeping under the door with this DIY solution: Take a few long socks (think knee-highs or boot socks) and fill them with alternating layers of popcorn kernels and polyester stuffing. Attach the ends together, then place the stopper in front of any drafty door. Find the full tutorial on Garden Therapy.
Related: Drafty Windows? Solutions for Every Budget
Dust the House
A sock can always double as a humble duster. Armed with a cleaner in one hand and a sock over the other, simply spray and wipe objects around the house. Make sure to rotate the sock as it gets dirty to expose clean fabric, and you’ll have sparkling surfaces in no time!
Related: 9 Things You're Doing to Make Your Home Dustier
De-Ice Your Wipers
Cold weather calls for excess preparation. Keep a few single socks in your glove compartment, and place them over your windshield wiper blades before a snowstorm or the night before a predicted freezing morning. The socks will keep the blades ice-free, so you won't have to scrape them before driving.
Related: 7 Fall Fix-Ups to Do for a Winter-Ready Home
Warm Your Body
As a quick solution to sore muscles, fill an old sock with white rice and tie the end. Zap it in the microwave for about a minute, and you’ll have a versatile hot pack that you can use on any part of your body. Check out Rae Gun Ramblings for the full tutorial.
Related: 7 Things to Do Right Now for a Warmer Winter
Wash Your Car
After you convert a sock into a sponge, you’ll have no excuse to avoid washing your car. A sock can clean hard-to-reach spots, and it can be revived in the washing machine for subsequent uses. Keep a bucket of orphan socks stockpiled in the garage with your other car washing supplies.
Related: The Right Way to Wash Your Car
Protect Your Floors
Whether you’re rearranging a room or packing for a move, dragging furniture legs across hardwood can leave unattractive scratches. Put an end to scuffing by slipping a sock over each leg before sliding tables, chairs, or couches around the floor. With this trick, moving heavy furniture has never been easier!
Related: 5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Wood Floor
Freshen Your Space
The stuffy air in cars and closets can be less than appealing. When a room could use a whiff of something fresh, upcycle a lone sock into a sachet. Fill the sock with your favorite dried herbs and flowers, then add a few drops of an essential oil like lavender or lemon. This DIY fragrance is an eco-friendly alternative to that “New Car Smell” freshener dangling from your rearview mirror.
Related: Clear the Air: 10 Natural Ways to Cure Household Odors
Hide Your Valuables
While traveling, stash your favorite necklace or extra cash inside a sock. This guarantees that small items won’t get lost in your suitcase and discreetly keeps valuables hidden in plain sight.
Related: The Most Cunning Secret Hiding Spots We've Ever Seen
Soften Your Clothes
A sock-covered tennis ball can be much more than a fun dog toy. If you toss one of these creations in the dryer, your laundry will dry faster and more efficiently. The movement of the tennis ball prevents clothes from sticking together and softens the fabrics. It also ensures that bulkier items, such as down comforters, get properly fluffed.
Related: 9 Smart Hacks for Laundry Day
Don't Miss!
Have you ever been tempted to buy one of those products you see advertised on TV infomercials? Sure, the spokesperson swears it does everything (and more!) but can it really live up to the hype? Sometimes, yes! Click through now to see some of our favorites.
