We're all concerned about the health of our planet, so we're kicking off a year-long series of environmentally friendly garment care tips, suggestions and creative alternatives.

This month, let's talk about recycling socks.

Anyone who washes clothes knows that socks have a funny way of disappearing, often leaving you with "singles" that don't have a match.

Rather than throwing them out, or worse, throwing them into the back of a drawer in the vain hope of the partner magically reappearing one day, we have some great ways to recycle and reuse old socks.

Before undertaking most of these ideas, be sure to clean the socks thoroughly!!

Then, use your old socks for:

Dusting, cleaning or polishing:
- They make great "mitts" for dusting, dishwashing, waxing your car, polishing your shoes or cleaning your blinds.
- They're also great for those hard-to-reach places under appliances or placed on a long stick to reach high places.

Covering and protecting:
- Your shoes when you're storing them or if you're traveling
- CDs
- Breakable items when you're moving or putting things in storage
- Eyeglasses
- Knees of crawling babies

Having fun:
- Kids (and pets) don't need fancy toys to have fun.
- Tie a few socks together for a great doggie pull toy or put catnip in a sock.
- Your kids will love playing with and making sock dolls or animals, puppets or even beanbags.

And, for the ambitious:
- If you're willing to experiment, you can make scarves, rugs, hats, mittens, "feet" for pajamas, potholders, foot warmers, baby blankets, drawstring bags, doorway draft stoppers