Got Lost Socks? Our Laundry Solutions Can Help!

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The battle of the lost socks is over! Read our laundry solutions.

hand holding an sos save our socks with different single socks in background

The mystery of the missing socks in your laundry could come to an end with our tips. Yes, even if you have kids.

Here are our best lost socks laundry solutions:


1. Use a mesh bag to wash all the socks together.

various kinds of socks in white mesh laundry bag

Out of all the lost socks tips our Hip readers shared, the most popular was using a mesh bag to keep all the socks together while washing. Of course, your socks still need to make it into the bag, but many said once you get in the habit of using this technique it’s practically missing-sock-proof.

These mesh bags on Amazon come in a 3-pack for under $6 so you could give one to each family member in your home!

“I swear, I have not lost a sock yet. I also put his little washcloths in one that I use on his face/hands after each meal. It’s been a game-changer. I’ve also gifted a mesh bag and a package of socks to all my expecting friends. I put a note with an explanation, and the socks in the bag.
It seems silly, but just yesterday, I was at the pool with a friend and our boys were playing, and she was like, ‘That bag you gave us with the socks is the best baby gift I’ve gotten out of all three of my boys! I wish I would’ve known about it with my first two. I swear I lost more of their socks than we had.” – Chasity, Hip reader

2. Get in the habit of putting your socks straight in the basket when you take them off. 

hand pulling out laundry basket between washer and dryer

This could be the biggest missing socks solution for you if you’re currently in the habit of taking off your socks and chucking them in the laundry or on the floor somewhere. If you always know where your socks fall, then chances are they’ll make it out of the laundry every time without fail.

“When you want to take your socks off go directly to the laundry room and throw them In an oversized washable laundry bag used for delicate stuff. Zip up .then when washing throw them in the wash. I have 2 one for darks and one for lights. Don’t overstuff them.” – Colleen, Hip reader


3. Keep an empty basket nearby with the missing socks. 

hand holding two white nike socks in mesh laundry basket

Inevitably your socks will go missing so it’s good to hang onto them and keep them in a basket nearby so you can compare fresh clean socks every time you take out a dry load.

“Whatever doesn’t have a match I keep in a small basket in the laundry room. Every week I go to the basket and match the lost socks that are there and repeat the process.” – Tammy, Hip reader


4. Clip your missing socks to a hanging sign and give them time. 

lost socks laundry solutions sign on wall

This is a genius way to keep those lost socks at the forefront of your memory. Chances are if you spot a rouge sock on the floor, you’ll know exactly where the match is hanging out. 😆 Bonus, that a sign like this doubles as some cute and humorous laundry room decor.

Shop lost socks signs with clips on Amazon! We even found a cute one that comes with a tip jar for all that loose change too. 😉

“They get a week. If everything in the house has been washed. I toss them. 😂 – Tina, Hip reader


5. Buy plastic clips to clip socks together before you wash them.

pair of white socks with red elastic tie on front

Many of our Hip readers said they clip or tie their sock pairs together to keep them from getting lost. Essentially, you won’t need to rematch your socks after they come out of the dryer either. Some readers said they like traditional plastic clips whereas others couldn’t stop raving about these elastic sock ties.

“I buy plastic laundry clips and have everyone clip their socks together when they take them off. They stay together THROUGH the wash and dry.” – Julie, Hip reader


6. Only buy one kind of socks so you’ll never know that the matching one is missing. 

pile of new white nike high socks on sheet

As one of our Hip sidekicks, Jennifer, said, she only buys the same kind of socks and only buys them in one color over and over so she never realizes when there are missing socks. Genius! I know my teen boys don’t complain about having one kind of sock and for them, it’s Nike socks and Nike socks only.


7. Fold the dirty socks together before placing them in the basket.

hand holding folded socks

Getting in the habit of folding your socks together is free and essentially the same as clipping them together. This will ensure when they’re not on your feet, they’re sticking together. Literally!

“When we remove our socks we turn them inside out together before putting them in the laundry basket. Then I make sure it’s a pair before they go in the washer and then when transferring to the dryer. We never have missing socks.” – Linda, Hip reader


8. Do your own laundry, every man for themselves. 

Boy smiling at the camera while holding a removable laundry hamper bag.

This may be easier said than done if you have younger kids, but consider doing laundry separately if you can. In some of our Hip readers’ homes, it’s every man for themselves!

“Do your own laundry. Don’t mix with kids or husband. And hide your good matching socks from your teenage daughter who likes to steal them.” – Tiffany, Hip reader


9. Check behind sofas, under beds, and other unexpected crevices.

hands holding up sofa with dirty socks on carpet

If you’re not checking under sofas, steps, beds, benches, radiators, and other places socks could end up then you may have a goldmine of missing socks waiting for you somewhere unexpected. It’s a mystery how these socks make their way under some places, but it happens more often than you think!

“I recently found a pair behind the sofa in the camper. This sofa isn’t one you can get behind. Baffles my mind! Not a single one of my socks is there though. 😆 – Jessica, Hip reader


10. If you don’t match them at all, you’ll never know they’re missing. 

black mesh laundry basket with missing socks in bottom

Hey, if you’ve got socks then is there even an issue? 😆 Some of our Hip readers said they don’t mind wearing mismatched socks and it saves them time sorting them. One Hip reader said she leaves all her family’s socks in a basket and they can grab a pair as needed.

“You don’t match them up for kids. My daughter seldom has matching socks on since high school.” – Rhonda, Hip reader

11. Just accept that they’re gone. 

close up of bare feet

“All by my-se-lf”… 🎶😆 The first step is just admitting they’re probably gone. AND. it’s okay! It happens to the best of us!

Consider doing a sock craft with the ones you have left, use them for cleaning, or quite a few Hip readers said they simply toss their lost socks after waiting so long. Our Hip reader, Candance, may be onto something though. 😆

“I thought when you lost a sock it comes back as a Tupperware lid… did you look there?” – Candance, Hip reader


“Socks are from another dimension. They are only here for a short time.” – Chris, Hip reader


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About the writer:

Sara is a self-taught blogger & photographer and brings 9+ years of experience to her craft. Her work has been featured in numerous esteemed publications, spanning building, travel, and fashion. Beyond her creative pursuits, Sara’s primary mission is to empower others to embrace a toxic-free & sustainable lifestyle.


Join The Discussion

Comments 4

  1. MBarnes

    I moved last week. From all the socks I found around the house (under, over, behind furniture/appliances, they filled up a medium sized box. It was nuts. I have 6 kids….so literally a hundred stray socks. It was insane!!…lol. We’ll use these tips to avoid that from happening again!

    • Jessica (Hip Sidekick)

      WOW! You struck the jackpot for lost socks with your move, MBarnes! πŸ§¦πŸ™ƒ Glad to know these tips will be helpful for the future! ❀️

  2. Krista

    I can’t get the link for the mesh bags to work.

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Bummer! It is working for me as I click through now if you wanted to try once more. If still having troubles maybe check in a different browser or switch over to desktop view. Hoping it loads up for you soon! πŸ€žπŸ€—

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