The internet is often a go‑to source for inspiration when it comes to do‑it‑yourself projects but one Reddit user has left people stunned after revealing the surprisingly simple item they used to paint a staircase banister.
In a slideshow of images shared on Reddit, user litle_Kityso can be seen dipping their hand—covered with a sock—into a pot of white paint before showing off the finished banister. The post quickly gained traction, earning more than 4,300 upvotes.
The caption explains: “I wasn’t expecting much to be fair, but I’m so impressed with the results, no drips, no smears, gave a lovely finish.”
“The best bit,” they added, was that the entire job took just one hour, compared with “three or more” using a traditional paintbrush. The Reddit post can be found here.
A DIY Hack That’s Turning Heads
The poster described the hack as a “genius idea,” noting they wore a latex glove underneath the sock to prevent paint from getting on their hands.
The viral post highlights not only how people are finding new ways to tackle DIY projects themselves, but also just how versatile everyday household items can be.
According to Moral Fibres, a U.K.‑based eco blog, old socks can be repurposed in a surprising number of practical ways beyond DIY painting.
They can be slipped over the hand and used for cleaning and dusting furniture, ornaments, and blinds. Worn or mismatched socks can also be cut up and used as stuffing for draft excluders, cushions, or soft toys, helping reduce textile waste.
Socks can also protect fragile items like glassware or ornaments during storage or when moving, acting as a reusable alternative to bubble wrap.
You can also fill them with bicarbonate of soda allows them to be used as reusable shoe deodorizers or use them as a way to remove nail polish instead of a cotton pad.
Socks have gone viral before as they were used as a hair styling tool. The heatless hack involves wrapping thick pieces of hair around socks to achieve curls.
Reddit Reacts
The comments section quickly filled with people thanking the poster—and wishing they’d learned the trick sooner.
One user wrote: “Seriously. Where was this life hack 10 years ago when I got roped into painting my parents house? (Because screw painting a Bannister with a sponge brush dad!!) This would have prevented the week long war of who’s brush had the better finish.”
Another shared their own experience, saying: “I tried this last year and it worked really well. I did find it hard not to spread the paint too thin but I just did extra coats because it was so fast compared to a brush.”
A third commenter said: “Why in the world haven’t I heard of this before??? It’s absolutely genius! Why don’t I have a sock dusting cloth for the stair railing as well?? I take a rag and wrap it around each spindle. Wouldn’t it be easier and faster to just use a dang sock?”
For many, the viral post has transformed an overlooked household item into an unexpected DIY essential.
Newsweek reached out to u/litle_Kityso for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.