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jetayre 10-20-2014 05:55 AM

Old socks
 
Does any one hate to throw away old socks (clean). They seem to grow around here I hate wasting things so I was wondering if anyone has used some for stuffing for animal beds? Are they too lumpy for comfort?

sewred 10-20-2014 06:23 AM

I've never stuffed dog beds with them. Although I like to make things with them like Sock bunnies for Easter and Sock monkey's for Christmas!

Diannia 10-20-2014 06:48 AM

No I haven't but they work great for dusting!

Tartan 10-20-2014 06:53 AM

They do work great for dusting. They are also great for polishing shoes and for putting shoes inside for travel.

Sewnoma 10-20-2014 07:08 AM

I use them for dog toys. I layer 2-3 socks (selecting ones without holes) and stuff half of it firmly with batting scraps and a sprinkle of catnip then stitch it shut so the cuffs are left open & loose. They like to gnaw on the stuffed part and nose around in the sort of "flower" made by the cuffs. The cuff part also usually stays slobber free so there's a "safe" place to grab it to give it a toss. Great for indoor fetch games. :)

The catnip part probably seems weird but my dogs LOVE catnip. They don't get all wild like the cats do but they are always interested in the smell and will pay much more attention to a sock toy with catnip than one without.

elnan 10-20-2014 07:24 AM


Originally Posted by jetayre (Post 6936256)
Does any one hate to throw away old socks (clean). They seem to grow around here I hate wasting things so I was wondering if anyone has used some for stuffing for animal beds? Are they too lumpy for comfort?

If they are the white athletic socks, I cut the tops off and use the foot part for rags, then stitch the raw edge of the cuff closed and use it to store everything from safety glasses to cords. If it's a good stretchy synthetic or wool, the top parts I use for cuffs on jackets and long sleeved shirts & sweaters, doesn't matter if the shirts are knit or woven. Sometimes I stitch just the raw edge to the garment, other times I stitch both edges to the sleeve to get a thick cuff. My down coat sleeves let cold air enter at the wrist. A heavy sock top in a dark color takes care of that. I began using the sock tops when "Stretch & Sew" patterns were so popular and it seemed that my children grew only in length. Eventually, I stopped buying the ribbing for cuffs, and used just socks.

NJ Quilter 10-20-2014 01:59 PM

We usually just tie a knot in them and toss them to the dogs for toys. Even as puppies they learn fairly quickly that the ones with knots are theirs and the ones without knots - not theirs!

Prism99 10-20-2014 05:24 PM

I bag up old socks along with worn out t-shirts and the like (anything that is all or mostly cotton), label it "rags", and give it to Goodwill. I think they sell bulk cotton to paper factories.

AngeliaNR 10-20-2014 07:00 PM

If they seem lumpy, you could cut them up a bit.

jeanne49 10-20-2014 07:07 PM

I don't see why you can't use them for stuffing in animal bedding. I'd just whack at them with a rotary cutter to make them into smaller pieces. I know someone who uses all her trimmings when squareing up material and blocks as stuffing. I believe she also mixes it with left over pcs of batting and regular stuffing.

marymay 10-21-2014 03:26 AM

I use old socks to clean my stove top and fridge.

madamekelly 10-21-2014 08:53 AM


Originally Posted by elnan (Post 6936400)
If they are the white athletic socks, I cut the tops off and use the foot part for rags, then stitch the raw edge of the cuff closed and use it to store everything from safety glasses to cords. If it's a good stretchy synthetic or wool, the top parts I use for cuffs on jackets and long sleeved shirts & sweaters, doesn't matter if the shirts are knit or woven. Sometimes I stitch just the raw edge to the garment, other times I stitch both edges to the sleeve to get a thick cuff. My down coat sleeves let cold air enter at the wrist. A heavy sock top in a dark color takes care of that. I began using the sock tops when "Stretch & Sew" patterns were so popular and it seemed that my children grew only in length. Eventually, I stopped buying the ribbing for cuffs, and used just socks.

Brilliant!

dotcomdtcm 10-21-2014 09:17 AM

I am so impressed! So all all smart and inventive!!

QUILTNMO 10-21-2014 05:42 PM

i have put rice in them for rice bags!!

maryfrang 10-22-2014 04:32 AM

I have a friend that restores old cars and he uses old socks to cleaning small parts. I also use them to dust, clean the bathroom sink and tub and even whip down the toilet. Then I just throw them out.

Onebyone 10-22-2014 05:02 AM

I was stuffing them in a big bag and then I had to store the bag. I thought how silly is this! I gave them to the library for kid crafts. They make sock puppets.

gmcsewer 10-22-2014 05:20 AM

My husbands athletic socks usually wear out in the toe area. So I split them top to bottom going through the heel area and they fit real nice on my swiffer. Just wet them down at the bathtub, swiff around and rinse them out. Nice suggestion about using them for wrists of coats etc. Never thought of that.

Ellageo 10-22-2014 05:30 AM

Found a GReAT idea for OLD socks!
 
1 Attachment(s)
Aren't these the cutest!

Ellen 1 10-22-2014 09:32 AM


Originally Posted by jetayre (Post 6936256)
Does any one hate to throw away old socks (clean). They seem to grow around here I hate wasting things so I was wondering if anyone has used some for stuffing for animal beds? Are they too lumpy for comfort?

I think you could cut the socks "flat" and layer them for the padding in a dogs bed. I would stitch them down so they did not shift inside the dog bed. I think the dogs would like lumpy also.

tlpa 10-22-2014 11:46 AM


Originally Posted by Diannia (Post 6936329)
No I haven't but they work great for dusting!

This is what I use them for....

nana20010 10-22-2014 03:56 PM

i make balls out of them they make great toys to through in the house they don't hurt if u hit some 1 and they don't break anything and the cat love them

spooky 10-30-2014 11:26 AM

I cut off the upper stretchy part and sew a quilted circle the size of my drinking glasses to the bottom. They work great for catching the "sweating" from a glass of an iced drink.

shadoh 10-30-2014 11:38 AM

My daughter Angie had to have a pic line inserted into her upper arm for chemo therapy. They covered it with a white stretchy thing,,unattractive. Someone suggested she use the cutoff top of an old sock instead,and this worked so much better,,nicer looking, could be changed easily and came in nice colours.

ILoveToQuilt 10-30-2014 05:20 PM

I buy the same color and style for my socks. When one wears out, I use it for dusting, polishing shoes, etc. When one from another pair wears out, I pair it with the first one and voila, a complete pair again. (Does this makes sense?)

redtweety 11-08-2014 05:06 PM

I used to tie them in a knot for the dog as a chew/tug of war toy.

Onebyone 11-09-2014 07:20 AM

I use to save odd and old socks. I ended up with a laundry basket full that was always in my way. I donated them and now just toss them. With the kids gone I rarely have odd socks any more.


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