1. Turn it into a catnip ball or a dog toy
Why not do something for your beloved pets. For your cat simply fill your sock with catnip and tie into a ball, then watch the cat go bananas as she chases it left and right, up and down the house. If you are more of a dog lover, there are endless options for you. You could fill the sock with a crunchy plastic bottle, a tatty old tennis ball, or anything you have lying around that might make a great catch toy.
2. Use it as a foot massager
Adding a ball, or balls, to your old sock is not only good for your dog, but for you too. With a golf ball, you can make yourself a superb foot massager. Simply place the golf ball inside the sock, tie it up, then stand on it, rotating the ball with the sole of your foot for a great do-it-yourself remedy.
3. Protect fragile items when in transit
Say you are sending a package or packing your own suitcase with delicate or fragile items, like glasses or plates, well your old footwear friend can come in handy. Slide your sock over any glasses to give a soft layer of protection, or bunch it inside the cup itself. Your sock will defend your fragile possessions or gifts against all attackers!
4. Use it as a cold or hot drink holder
Whether you are in the mood for a nice cold soda or beer, a hot coffee, cocoa or tea, your odd sock will make an excellent drink holder. Simply pop her over the can, bottle or cup (cutting the toe end off if required) and you will be able to hang on to your thirst quenching drink for as long as you like.
5. Use it as a draft excluder
It can be a real nightmare in the winter when you have carefully shut every window and door tightly, turned the heating on and got your cocoa in your hands that a sudden gust of chilling wind courses under the doorway across the room and taps you on your bare neck. In such a case, take your sock and fill it with beans, turning it into a tubby snake that will lie at your door and keep your room temperature the way it ought to be.
6. Use it to gather old bits of soap into a soap scrubber
To avoid losing the last bits of soap from your soap bars simply pop them into your odd sock one at a time to give yourself a lovely soap scrubber. This will be good for your drain as well as your body. Your sock will also be a useful cover for your full soap bar if you need to take it on the go somewhere.
7. Use it as an air freshener
Say you have a bit of a stinky sock drawer or cupboard in the house. No problem. Take your old sock and fill it with potpourri, or even coffee beans. The filling will drink up any moisture and banish any bad smells, replacing them with your favorite scents. Simple.
8. Use it as a messy bottle cover
This is what I do to stop bottles of everything from bleach to cooking oil from dripping all over the cupboard. Simply pop the offending messy bottle into your sock, as pictured, and it will drink up any spillage. When the bottle is empty chuck the sock into the wash and start over.
9. Find a new purpose as furniture socks
If you have nice wooden floors you might want to consider giving your moveable-furniture socks to prevent scratches. Get some scissors, a needle and thread, cut some strips from your sock and sew them into little cups. Tie them up with an elastic band around the leg of your chair. The same can also be done for work ladders.
10. Use it as a hot or cold pack
Make yourself a homemade muscle relax hot pack. Fill the sock with rice and lavender oil, then microwave for 30 seconds and apply to your aching muscle. Alternatively, for an ice pack, to avoid touching an injury directly, pop the ice into your sock and apply it to your skin without fear of frostbite.
11. Use it as stylish kneepads or legwarmers
If you have a soft, young baby who has just started to crawl, a pair of kneepads will come in handy to stop his tender knees from rubbing unkindly against your carpet or flooring. Simply cut the toe end off, then roll onto your baby’s legs, doubling if necessary. Then watch him go. In the same vein, these kneepads can also be used by anyone as handy legwarmers on a cool day in the house.
12. Use it as a bird feeder
It may not feel like it at first, but eventually, even an old stocking will attract the prettiest of new mates. For instance, pop a jam jar lid into the bottom of the stocking and fill it with thistle seed. Then, if you like, poke a twig all the way through the stocking just above the lid, for an optional perch. Then knot the legend of the former garment and tie it to a branch or birdhouse. In a short time, plenty of lovely birdies will come to nibble at their new favorite hangout.
