Happy Tuesday Everyone!
After cleaning out my drawers, I was left with a handful of old socks that had lost their elasticity. I was about to throw them in the trash when I remembered a Martha Stewart Tutorial. Martha used an old sock to apply and remove her wax.
Using an old sock sounds kind of weird and unglamorous.
It can’t possibly work any better than a soft lint free cloth.
But being a thriftista, I’ll try anything once. Maybe these socks could be of use one last time! One last hurraahhh before they’re looking up at the top of a trash can.
WAX ON – SOCKS OFF – SOCKS WORK AMAZING!
I put on my latex gloves. Working in small areas I applied my wax with my fancy wax brush.
(Want to know how I make a hard wax buttery smooth?… check it out here!)
I put a sock on my hand and rubbed the wax off. Then I moved onto the next area.
Once I saw the wax starting to build up on the sock, I simply turned it around, folded it in, or turned it inside out. I did this so I was always working with a clean part of the sock.
Waxing with a sock feels more controlled. Getting into all the crevices and rounded areas was easy and it definitely shaved time off my waxing process!
Wax on-Socks Off!
LOVE IT… this is my new go-to waxing technique. I found it so convenient I’m going buy a bag of 100% cotton socks specifically for waxing.
Glad you dropped by… and be sure to come back to see this finished dresser restyled in Miss Mustard Seed’s Boxwood!
Have you ever used a sock for waxing? If so, do you know if the waxy sock(s) can be washed and reused over again? It would be great if they are reusable! Leave your favorite method of waxing or any waxing tips your may have below… I always love hearing from you!
Catch last week’s Q-T-T here – and if YOU have any ideas or tips you would like to share on the SI Quick-Tip-Tuesday-Series, send me an email!
Enjoy your day and have fun with your next project!
Denise x
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I chalk painted an old table that my parents bought when I was born in 1977. I wanted to put a clear wax on it, just to seal it and give it a smoother finish. Can I just use your method with a wax brush & a sock with the clear wax? I used Waverly Chalk Paint and was planning to use their brand of clear wax as well.
Thank you
Yes…for sure Stephanie! It’s an easy way to wax on wax off regardless of what brand(s) you use. 🙂
I can’t find those fancy wax brushes, so I have been using socks for some time now and they work fine. I also keep them in plastic bags to reuse. One bag for clear wax and another for the darker wax.
Do you wash them Marianne? Or reuse the waxy ones just to apply the wax? Nice blog btw…love Meraai! 🙂
I always use old t-shirts but they are bulky to hold. This is a great tip! Thanks!!
I’ve always used ripped up cotton t-shirts too. Try a sock Suzanne… you’ll love it…lol!
I love the sock thing, I’m such a recycler, I re-use everything from egg containers to electronics and definitely terminal cotton apparel, which is soft and pure, no color leeching for waxing or wiping down with min spirits before painting.
I don’t wash them, although I’m sure you could soak in mineral spirits, but that seems wasteful too, but what I do with socks or wax rags is put them in a sealed plastic bag to use again to apply or touch up wax when you don’t need or want to brush it on (saves cleaning the brush for smaller, smooth jobs like frames etc). So I get a bit longer out of them that way.
🙂
I’ll have a tip for you soon too, just have to get out from under the tax quagmire I’m in ..lol
Electronics?… You’ve peeked my interest there Chez! I didn’t think the wax could be cleaned without chemicals. Wishful thinking on my part I guess. And yes, when/if you have time I’d love for you to share one of your tips! 🙂
I have to admit, the electronics comment piqued my interest. I’d like to see the tips also. Thanks for the sock idea. I have a piece currently waiting on me to wax it, and I’m excited to try my newly-learned sock trick!
Feel free to let me know what you think Kim… if you find it any easier. 🙂
Dear d. I had a car detailing business for a couple of years and I of course had many cotton (toweling) bonnets and “on/off” rags. I could not keep up with enough diaper seconds(box of scrap ends from makers of cloth diapers) so… in came socks, and yes in carnuba wax, car wax, tire dressing, and mag chrome polish and the like… I would save all the dirty rags and bonnets, and rub some shop hand cleaner, like orange, and blue magic, into them and throw into a 5 gall. bucket at end of day. One day a week wash all in washer, with 1/2 c bk.soda, start water… 1 cup vinegar and 1 Tlb. Dawn. wash on very HOT. they came out clean, and no more goo. If you are looking for perfectly white add a heavy Tlb. of Gel dishwasher stuff and NO vinegar. a couple of C. vinegar on low water alone, for pipes. It is a saver for sure!
I can’t even imagine how many waxing rags a car detailing business would go through! Great tips…thank you! 🙂
My So says NOT to put cooking fat in down the drain. It badly clogs up the works, either in septic or municipal system. I have not asked about wax, but I think i would not wash those socks. Especially since old socks are a dime a dozen….. Glad it worked out so well for you. I’m going to try it on my next wax job.Thanks for the tip.