By We have all been there…probably dozens of times. After doing a load of laundry (and when are we not?), “orphan” socks remain in the laundry basket after a soak in the washing machine and a spin in the dryer. Mysterious missing socks disappear into the abyss, never to be seen again. Obviously, we can’t dress our little ones in a solo sock, and pairing up mismatched ones comes off as a fashion faux pas parenting fail, not to mention a naked, cold baby foot.
With one sock long gone, do we toss the remaining one and close that chapter, or can something be done to salvage the sock? Let’s go with the latter in the name of creativity and conservation. Repurposing the sock is a smart solution, especially when it’s still probably in fairly good condition.
Here are four ingenious ways to make the most of the sock that stuck around, giving you something to do while the baby is napping, that’s if you are not napping yourself.
Soft Smartphone “Cozy”
Keep your smartphone well protected and looking absolutely adorable by using a baby sock as a cozy cover. Simply cut off the toe portion of the sock and stitch around the frayed edges or use some superglue or crafting glue so the sock won’t unravel. Decorate to your delight if you want to take it up a notch, perhaps with sequins, rhinestones, or puffy paint.
Not only will the sock “cozy” protect your delicate screen from getting scratched up or cracked if your phone drops to the floor, but it will make your phone stand out when you are rummaging through your stuff in the baby bag.
Glass Warmer
If you tend to get cold hands while enjoying an icy beverage, use a baby sock as a covering. Just like the smartphone idea above, snip off the toe portion of the sock and secure the open edge as described. When you want to keep your hands warm while slurping your must-have iced coffee or Diet Coke, use your creative sock creation to cover the glass and enjoy.
Make a bunch of these so everyone in the household has one, and you can even personalize them with some stitching for dinner parties so everyone knows which glass is theirs, similar to wine glass charms. These can be used over hot beverages too, which is especially snuggly on a cold night “bingewatching” on the couch. Hot cocoa, anyone?
Hair “Scrunchie”
Busy moms (are there any other kind?) have little time to fuss with their hair (let alone shower), and a quick updo is usually the go-to hairstyle. Use a random baby sock as a hair tie, which is more gentle on your strands than a rubber band which can be damaging.
Again, cut away the toe section of the sock and secure. The stretchy quality of the sock will slip over your ponytail or “messy” bun, and when wrapped around twice or more, will keep the hair in place and off your face. When you are not using the sock “scrunchie” for your hair, you can slip it over your wrist for easy access. Toss it in the laundry with the rest of your stuff when it’s time to do a load. Hopefully, it returns!
Treadmill Handlebar Sweat Absorbers
Do you have a treadmill at home? If you work up a sweat, holding onto the handlebars can be a slippery situation. Same goes for a stationary bike, stair-stepper, or an elliptical machine. Use a couple of baby socks to absorb the perspiration, and you will be able to hold on more securely while working out.
Cut off the toe sections of two mismatched baby socks as detailed above and secure the edges. Slip them over the handlebars, and if they are too loose to stay put as you exercise, secure with rubber bands. Not only will these socks soak up your sweat, but it makes holding on more comfortable as you get your cardio in for the day.
Be sure to wash these DIY sweat absorbers regularly for good hygiene.
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Never again will you fret over a forgotten baby sock. Use the mismatched sock to your advantage, and you will reap the rewards of repurposing. It is a fun idea that is also functional!
What do you do with mismatched baby socks? Before tossing them aside, use your mom skills for a unique “upcycle.” Sock problem solved!
If you have more baby socks than you know what to do with, why not list the bundle of socks on BundleUp? List your pre-loved baby clothes and earn a chunk of change back in your wallet.
