Socks! What Can I Say?

Socks are problematic for me and most people when they disappear in the wash. I am loathe to throw out a sock because its mate strayed. This has paid off. Every year I get out my winter things and find a sock in a sweatshirt sleeve or up a pants legs. EUREKA!

I then get out my lost sock stash and match the sock to its lonely mate. People have suggested I just toss the mate-less socks I have kept. No, I won't give up. But, I solved the problem.

Two solutions: First, I buy bags of socks so that there is always a mate as they stray sock hides out. Second, I find a new use for socks.

Finally, I put the lonely socks in the laundry room, tied in a plastic bag. Someone saw this and volunteered to toss them....nooooo.  I never toss socks in the trash.

While I have been ill, I have piddled. This bag of socks attracted my attention. In a lucid moment when my arms were not like lead, I ripped the bag open for a few surprises. There was a pair of white nylon-type, thin socks that I have had for 30 years, wore little. My beloved red socks that have so little heel that I could put my head through the hole where the heel was. Really, they felt wonderful. But when the hole in the heel hole was evident when I was wearing shoes, I quit wearing my red socks.

No, I am not a hoarder. In the bag were all the socks with an alternate destiny--dusting or cleaning. And, boy, do I need them for dusting right now.

I threw away the nylon socks. I put the dusting socks in a pile. Lo and Behold--I found a sock (I think) that is a mate to a dozen other bag socks. Otherwise, it is a dust sock. I need to slip a sock over the yardstick or on the handle of the broom and work on the ceilings but not the eleven foot ceiling, just the lower ones.

When these are used for dusting or cleaning, depending on how dusty or dirty the cleaning was, they will be washed and stuffed in my rag bag or tossed. I know these are not fancy dust cloths bought at an exorbitant cost, but they work for me and maybe for you. The microfiber cloths give me the creeps to touch them. It's just as well I like these because the few microfiber cloths I have are rarely used. No, I did not pay for them. They were a gas station give-away.

As soon as it gets cool enough that flies and mosquitoes are not fighting to get in the back door, I may use these socks to clean the outside of the side door. Those socks will certainly go in the trash.

The other use I have for these socks is to put dark ones on canned or dehydrated food. This way, the light will not degrade the nutrition in the produce. Of course, I still put canning jars in dark cabinets or boxes. Just cut off the top of the sock and slip it over jars. This way, the jars will not clink against each other, either.

Somewhere on the internet I saw dog sweaters for tiny dogs made from socks. Socks have been used to cover casts on broken limbs. I just know all of you have other uses!

(post not edited) I am too tired.

Your turn
Do you use old clothes or socks to dust or clean?  Do you use socks to dust, clean or to protect jars, clothe a dog? What other uses do you have for socks that are beyond redemption? Do you have favorite socks you wear even when they are shabby?