That’s an excellent question that points to a couple of clever, time-saving “life hacks”!

The most common thing you get a few seconds after hanging a sock on a hanger is a fast, compact way to dry small laundry items without setting up a full drying rack.

1. Fast, Mini-Drying Rack

This trick is perfect for hand-washed items, travel, or when you only have a small number of things to dry:

• How it Works: Simply drape a pair of socks, underwear, or a washcloth over the two diagonal bars of a standard wire hanger. You can use a few clothes pins if you need extra security.
• The Benefit: You’ve instantly created a mini-clothesline that takes up virtually no space. You can hang the item on a shower rod, a doorknob, or anywhere you need to dry something quickly, all while avoiding the hassle of opening and closing a large drying rack.

2. A Makeshift Anti-Static Tool

In a slightly different, more surprising application, a metal hanger and a sock can be used to eliminate static cling from clothing before you wear it.

• How it Works: Slide the sock over the metal hook of a standard wire hanger. Now, quickly run the hanger (with the sock on it) over the surface of a static-y dress, skirt, or sweater.
• The Benefit: The metal of the hanger helps to ground and dissipate the static electricity in the fabric, and the sock acts as a soft buffer so the metal doesn’t snag the garment. You can remove static in just a few seconds before heading out the door!