Can someone please explain to me why my socks always go missing when I put my clothes through a washing cycle?

Question

A strange question I know, but the mystery is baffling me!

And why is it always socks and not other small items like boxer shorts

I am talking about during the whole process from gathering the clothes, to washing them, to hanging them up to ironing them, to getting them back to my room - They ALWAYS come back with less socks.

Answer 1

Yes I can.

At the back of your washing machine, and indeed all washing machines is a small portal to another world.

When you put a load in, the magnetic force from the mother-ship in the Sock Dimension, pulls a sock from each pair.

This is totally usual and happens to everyone. The government have been secretly working with NASA and it is rumoured a portal has been wedged open in spacial-time somewhere in South Dorking.

One day, someone will wage war with sock world and return our missing footwear. Until then friend, Asda 5 pairs of black socks for £1.99.

Answer 2

Missing socks are one of the mysteries of life. Smaller than boxers, I never had a pair of those go missing.

You can sew plastic snaps to each sock and snap them together before you wash them, some people swear by this.

I count them as they go into the washer to make sure I start out with an even number, and then again as they come out of the dryer. If there's one missing I check inside all the clothing and usually find it.

Also make sure to use fabric softener or a dryer sheet for a sock load, this will help prevent them from sticking to anything and getting lost.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Yep - I know this problem only too well but through years of frustration I have found the following :-

1. I didn't put a complete pair in the washer in the first place. Bit dumb I know but I didn't think to check the laundry basket first. Oh no, instead of taking the easy option I had the house up-side down and spent about an hour with my head stuck in the washer looking for the missing sock in disbelief (whilst the washer was turned off I hasten to add) which was still in the laundry basket!!

2. Next saga - I looked high and low again for another missing sock - this time I checked the laundry basket but it wasn't there so spent another hour with my head in the washer and eventually found it in the dryer 3 days later.

3. Really naffed off by this time - another sock gone missing!! this time - head in the washer, head in the dryer, head in the laundry basket and house up-side down - all this for a sock but isn't it just the most irritating thing? Eventually I phoned a washing machine repair man and explained the dilema to him. He said that I may have a slight gap between the drum and the rubber bit and the sock may have escaped down there. I asked him if he would come and get it out for me - he said it wasn't worth it (very honest of him) because the sock would prob have been chewed up in the washing machine works. He said that if it became a constant problem he would be happy to come and sort it for me but said it would be a costly job. Funnilly enough it hasn't happened since, but I now have one lonely sock in my sock drawer. I haven't thrown it away because I'm still convinced that the other one will turn up somewhere (- I can't blame it on the dog because I haven't got one). I am now much more vigilant with the sock thing so maybe it was just me all along.

However, here's what I do now with socks. You know those little bag things that you get with washing tablets eg persil washing tablets. Well you get one of those each time you buy a box so you end up with and abundance of them - guess what! I now put my socks in pairs in those little bags - how sad is that? but it saves me a load of time looking for the damned things. ha ha

Answer 4

A mystery indeed! I've also heard that small items get sucked into the washing machine's filter and drain system. I bought each one of my kids 6 new pair of socks before the start of school. That's 12 pair of socks less than one month ago. We now have only 4 or 5 odd socks coming back out of our laundry. I was thinking about tying some kind of block of wood to them prior to washing, to keep the sock fairy from flying off with them. You know, kinda like they do with restroom keys to keep someone from stealing them. However, I like the lingerie bag idea better.

Answer 5

I used to have that problem now l have got one of those small net bags that go in the washing machine and either put them straight in the tumble dryer in the bag or put them separately on the line and when dry fold the tops over and the same after ironing and l have not lost a sock since.

Answer 6

It is the sock eater. It comes in the middle of the night and eats just one of your favorite pairs of socks. lol
In reality, you will find the socks under the furniture in the living room and bedroom. They also appear stuck in other pieces of clothes and sheets. Try inside your shoes. I put all one of a kind socks in one place, that way I know where THEY are.

Answer 7

The sock monster gets them.It's true ! I can put pairs of socks in the washer and they don't come out.The agitator lets the socks slip underneath and they get washed down the drain or stuck in the filter.I found one so mangled in the bottom of the agitator when my washer broke down,I finally figured out what was really happening to my socks and thong underwear.

Answer 8

It is the sock fairy, but you can fool the sock fairy by using safety pins to pin those socks together before washing them. For some reason the sock fairy only likes individual socks not ones that are paired up.

Answer 9

Same thing happens to me too, so I think there is a little monster that lives in the washer and it eats the odd sock

Answer 10

I used to think my husband snuck in and plucked one out just for something to blame me for, til he started doing his own laundry.. At least I know it wasn't just me that had the sock eating washing machine. The are many more out there, I think using a mesh zip bag for them might keep the hungry washer away . GOOD LUCK or just blame it on the other one in the house !!!!