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Thursday, November 3, 2016

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?


14 comments:

  1. I use old socks to clean the tires of our cars. It really gets in there and does a good job.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Put socks over your shoes, be careful not to slip, and use to 'dustmop' where the floor meets the baseboard - mops just never reach there.

    If the ribbing is still good it can be cut off and sewn onto sleeves to make them longer - on shirts or jackets/coats - especially on growing boys. Same goes for pants - like yoga or flannel pj bottoms. Keeps you warmer too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tom,
      I have a pair of shoes that actually have "mop strings" on the sole. They are scary to use. So, not slipping is a good warning for socks over shoes.

      Using the ribbing on clothes is a good idea. I suppose I never did this because I have "spools" of 6" wide ribbing like is on sweatshirts that I use when I make sweatshirts. Good idea!

      Delete
  3. I have never lost a sock in the wash. Never ever. Which obviously puts me in the minority.
    I use old t shirts for dusting/cleaning purposes. The socks go. If I can get himself to relinquish them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EC,
      Obviously, I haven't either! They hide in sleeves and pant legs...lol. I never have socks to use for cleaning or dusting purposes since I rarely get rid of them. But, since the door is paneled and filthy on the outside of the house, I can just throw the socks away. So, he likes his socks? EXBF is not going to throw out even the worst of his underwear even though he got ten new pair. He said some weren't fit for cleaning because they are ripped and beyond threadbare.

      Delete
  4. I am convinced there is some weird physics thing that goes on with the speed and rotation of the dryer that sends them into another dimension

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anne,
      I probably cannot do the math for that. Maybe you could develop a formula that reflects the actions and predicts where that dimension can be found.

      Delete
  5. When I wash new socks that seems to be when they disappear, never to be seen again. They work well to use to wash the car and dust.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenny,
      Nooo, not new socks! Yes, never waste a good single sock.

      Delete
  6. Alas, another person who can't stand microfiber cloths! It gives me the "heebie-jeebies" to handle them.......so good to know I'm not alone :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dj,
      I don't think I know anyone else who has this same reaction..."heebie jeebies."

      Delete
  7. I have never thought of this.
    Old undergarments are recycled as tidy up rags.
    Old socks are thrown out I suppose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Urspo,
      Then, I am glad I brought it to your attention. You can put a sock on your hand to dust things you can put your hand around--lamp, candlesticks. Or use a sock on your hands for cleaning ceiling fan blads, top of doors...just lots of places.

      Delete

Okay, hoping the annoyances have gone away.