I have two boys who have mastered staining their socks. They run around outside in them (even though they're not supposed to) and jump in mud puddles until their socks are covered in dirt stains that bleach doesn't even touch. I hate to throw away a whole pile of otherwise good socks, but I can't stand to have them wear formerly-white socks that are now mud colored. They LOOK completely dirty, even when they are freshly laundered. So what do I do with them? Des anyone have ideas of how to repurpose them?
I'd let them wear 'em again - especially if they are just going back outside in the mud. Otherwise, when socks get holes in them, I use them for rags for cleaning the bathroom, then they get tossed.
How about a science project? My daughter's kindergarten teacher suggested (from a science magazine) wearing the socks over the top of your shoes and then go on a nature walk somewhere. when you are done, put them in a ziploc baggie right away. When you get home put some water in the baggie to get the socks damp. Seal, then hang/tape by a window that gets good sunlight and see what grows after a couple weeks. The idea is that the socks have picked up seeds/pollen/etc. But to get them really clean, not so sure!
The one thing I have found that really gets stains out almost all kinds of fabric, don't laugh, is Tilex! Spray it on let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse. repeat if necessary. It takes a ton of stains out of my daughter's clothes, even set in stains and works on even some colored fabrics (check in a small area first).
how about tie dying them? It would be great fun for the boys and would hide all the stains, and for everyday/ play wear who cares what your socks look like on a hike or playing tag in the neighborhood or playing in the mud or sandbox. You could even go with cool themes such as sports team colors, the colors of their favorite super hero, etc. then have a special pile of white socks that are just for occasions when white socks are important such as playing in the school basket ball game or occasions when they need to look representable and clean.
You could dye them dark blue or brown--and for the next batch, buy dark colors instead of white. And always buy several pairs just alike (as you probably did with the white ones) so you don't have to spend laundry time finding socks that match.
I turn all my grungy, hole-filled socks into cleaning rags. I use them for dusting or scrubbing the floor since they're already dingy anyway. Once they're beyond being useful that way I chuck them. Hope that helps!
Use them as dust rags if they fit over your hand or the hands of your children.
Put them in an oxiclean bath. Use super hot water and oxiclean powder. Soak them for 24 hours, drain and repeat. Then wash. They will come clean. That is what I do. It works really well. Any socks that are worn through or thread bare will just get thrown away...they aren't worth it to me. But the good ones get the oxiclean bath and it works great!
I have two kids, a girl 8 and a boy 5, they do the same thing. I wash them up and I know they are clean but look disgusting. I feel that as long as I know they are clean when they put them on, who cares. They perfer wearing the dirty looking socks because they are more comfortable. At first, I was a little miffed about it too, but I learned that there are going to be bigger battles down the road. My daughter's favorite pair has a little hole in the toe and looks disgusting but she won't part with them. Plus, with shoes on, you can't tell if they look bad and probably no one even knows:) Have a great weekend!
I let my kids paint on the bottoms with puffy paint (to make them non-slip), and they become our "playplace" (McD, Adventure Park, etc.) socks. We keep them in the car. That way we don't ruin the *good* socks at those places.
Soak them in either biz and hot water overnight or powdered tide with bleach and then wash in hot water. Works at my house.
I have the same two little boys at my house! I have never tried it, but have often thought of dying the socks a different (darker) color. Don't know if it works, but if you try it and it does, let me know! :)
My daughter isn't allowed to run around outside in her socks either and if she was and was ruining them. I'd have her stand at the kitchen sink and scrub them all night long until she could appreciate her socks. Seriously even if there was no chance they'd come clean.
If bleach doesn't work I throw them out.
old socks work great for any type of cleaning rag! in the house, in the garage, in the car, whatever! :D
Check with your son's teacher. Almost all schools now have little whiteboards that they use in math. Old socks make great erasers!
