25 tips and tricks for using single socks while RVing

It happens to everyone. While folding laundry you suddenly realize that a sock is missing. This “missing sock phenomenon” is so common that in 2017, Samsung commissioned a study on it. The results really surprised me. Only British folks were surveyed, but the study concluded that on average, a Brit loses 1.3 socks per month. If you extrapolate that figure, you’ll find that over a lifetime folks lose 1,200 or more socks! Wow! Perhaps we could all use some tips and tricks for using single socks while RVing.

Outside the RV

• Cord wipe. Slip your hand into a single sock and use it to wipe away dirt and debris as you put away the RV’s electrical cord. Your basement storage compartment will thank you!
• Ladder mittens. When using a standard ladder against your RV, slip a sock over each “leg” where the ladder touches your rig. That way the ladder won’t scratch your RV’s finish.
• Clean mirror. A single sock can quickly absorb the early morning moisture that fogs up your truck’s or motorhome’s exterior mirrors. Keep it in your door and swipe away the problem and get on with your day.
• Protect wipers. Slip a sock over each windshield wiper to prevent the rubber from freezing or sticking to the windshield.
• Find small items. If you accidentally drop a small screw while working on your RV, slip a sock over a vacuum’s nozzle and use a rubber band to hold it in place. The vacuum will still function, but the sock will prevent small objects from entering the vacuum bag.
• Traction. Pull a wool sock over each shoe for better traction in icy conditions.
• Hand warmers. Put a sock over each hand before you put on your mittens. The extra layer will keep your hands warm, and you can still hold onto your trekking poles.
• Remove condensation. Fill a single sock with moisture-absorbing kitty litter or silica gel crystals. Tie closed. Toss the sock under or between your truck’s seats. The silica/litter will absorb excess humidity and help prevent excess winter condensation on your vehicle’s windows. (Note: As an alternative purpose, fill the sock with potpourri for a fresh-smelling vehicle.)
• Hand washing. Put a bar of soap in the bottom of a sock. Tie or keep the sock near your RV’s exterior water source for easy cleanup after messy jobs.

Inside the RV

• Dust mitt. Use that lonely sock as a dust mitt to clean your motorhome’s dash and instrument panel.
• Cold/hot pack. Use a single sock to ease aches and pains. Slip an ice pack into the sock to prevent skin irritation from the cold. Or partially fill the sock with rice. Sew or tie the sock closed and put it in the microwave for a few seconds. The resulting hot pack will easily mold to your neck, shoulder, or knee to relieve discomfort.

• Protect floor/walls. On moving days, I slip a sock over each chair leg. This prevents the feet from rubbing against (and damaging) the floor/walls as we travel.
• Freshen shoes. Put two or three tablespoons of baking soda inside the toe of a sock and tie the sock closed. Then place the shoe freshener inside a smelly boot or hiking shoe. The soda will absorb the unpleasant odors and no mess will be left behind.
• Secure small items. A single sock can contain dice and board game place markers, art pens/pencils, jewelry or other small items. Just tie the sock closed.
• Foot relief. Place four or five golf balls inside a sock. Tie the sock closed. Place your foot over the prepared sock and roll back and forth to relieve pain or discomfort.
• Wrist rest. Fill the foot of a single sock with rice and tie the sock closed. Use it as a place to rest your wrist while typing or otherwise using the computer.
• Glass protection. For moving days, slip a sock over wine glasses or other breakables to protect them.
• Soothe hands. If your hands sometimes get dry or crack, apply lotion at bedtime. Then slip each hand into a sock. The lotion won’t rub off onto the sheets and the socks will help keep the lotion on your hands for healing and softening.
• Polish shoes. A sock comes in handy when you need to shine your shoes or boots. Use one side of the sock to apply the polish and the other side for buffing.
• Dust floors. Slip a sock over your Swiffer or other rectangular floor duster for a quick, inexpensive, and effective dust pad.

• Protect glasses. I protect my inexpensive reading glasses by slipping them inside a sock. No scratches!
• Remove dust. Put a sock over your hand to quickly clean dust from window blind slats and ceiling fans. Just “pinch” the sock between your thumb and fingers to dust both top and bottom at one time.
• Chew toy. Place an empty water bottle into a single-tube sock and tie the sock closed. Your dog will enjoy the crunchy sound as she chews, and you need not worry about her swallowing a piece of plastic.
• Soap saver. Slip the leftover pieces of bar soap into a sock and tie the sock closed. Then use the sock like a loofah to scrub dirty feet clean.
• Stop drips. Put a sock over your wet (closed) umbrella. The sock will prevent drips and help keep your RV floors clean and dry.

Do you save lonely socks (those without a match)? How do you use them? Tell us in the comments below.

Want to learn more about your own lost socks? Use this online Lost Sock Calculator.

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