Solutions
There are few phenomena as vexing, confusing and widespread as the disappearance of a single sock. Everyone has at least one sock that mysteriously loses its mate. Whatever the cause — spontaneous black holes could be responsible, according to the late Stephen Hawking – it’s especially frustrating because a single sock seems pointless…or so we thought. Some of the most resourceful and creative members of Reddit on r/Frugal lately proposed dozens of ideas for orphan socks, and we’ve compiled the top 9.
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Use them for cleaning
Since they’re fabric and the perfect size for your hand, you can easily convert orphan socks into portable cleaning rags. Redditors recommend using them to dust your house and clean whiteboards.
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Give them to your dog
Dogs love to chew on socks, especially when they’re not supposed to. To distract them from your good pairs, tie a few orphans together to create an inexpensive dog toy.
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Wear mismatched socks
Orphan socks shouldn’t be a problem for mavericks, rebels and free thinkers who will gladly wear mismatched socks. And even if wearing two different pairs makes your eyes twitch, Redditors have a solution: stock your closet with identical socks. Even if one is missing, you will automatically have a matching pair.
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Create a doorstop
For those with a growing pile of sock orphans, you might be able to craft a makeshift draft cap. Put a few mismatched pairs in a long sock, tuck it under your door frame, and you could save money on your next heating bill.
Enjoy an oatmeal bath
Oatmeal baths have long been known to soothe skin conditions such as acne, dry skin, eczema and chickenpox. All it takes is a cup of powdered oats (put it in a blender) and an old sock to hold the powdered grain. According to the Verywell familyyou need to soak in an oatmeal bath for 15-20 minutes to experience its effects.
Turn them into heating pads
Fill your lost socks with rice for a quick, microwaveable heating pad. You can even add herbs like lavender to make it even more comforting.
Make a winter “snot rag”
Equal parts niche and gross, this Reddit “snot rag” hack might appeal to skiers and snowboarders who need a quick nose-wipe on the slopes. Clip your toes, writes the commentator, and wear the sock on the outside of your jacket like an armband. When your nose starts to run, you can just wipe it on the sock and throw it away when you’re done for the day.
Create “fragrance enhancers”
Make the rest of your socks smell great by filling your orphans with scent beads. “Seems to be more effective than using the scent boosters in the wash,” writes a Redditor.
Deodorize your shoes
With a handful of (clean) kitty litter and a stray sock, you can quickly make a shoe deodorizer. Fill the sock just over halfway with the moisture-wicking scented clay, tie the ends, and stuff them into your stinkiest pair of sneakers.
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