Speaking of Socks...

Updated on January 12, 2012
C.P. asks from Jefferson City, MO
10 answers

Spunkymom's post on missing socks really got me thinking. I have the same problem!

I bought each kid 18 new pairs of socks at the beginning of the school year. I got rid of all the other socks and only bought one color/brand/size. Now all I hear is "I can't find any socks!" And the ones that do end up in the laundry are looking awful!

It's time to get rid of all these errant socks and buy a new batch. I used to buy only white socks...but now I'm thinking of doing black socks because my boys' white ones end up so dingy (despite hot washing in bleach) that it looks GROSS!

What do you ladies suggest? My boys are 9 and 10 years old and wear a shoe size of 3 or 4. We don't do "low" socks because they fall down and look tacky. Do you have any suggestions on sock brands?

ETA: Sunny, I've heard this before but it's a myth. It's the material, not the color that matters. Cotton is best for socks because it absorbs moisure and breathes. ;-)

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So What Happened?

I LOVE the pin idea!!! This is fabulous!

Gonna go sock shopping this afternoon. I can't do it anymore! Argh! There is a "load" of socks in my washer that I've not started yet because I'm still searching for more to put in...there MIGHT be 6 pair in there.

I also THREW AWAY 5 socks because my son was finding tiny holes and worrying at them until they were HUGE, basically ripping up his socks. W.....T....F?!

Featured Answers

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B.

answers from Augusta on

I love hanes!
and for keeping them together in the wash I suggest pinning them together , my grandfather taught me to do this get a tiny safety pin and pin the mates together before they go in

1 mom found this helpful

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✩.!.

answers from Los Angeles on

We switched to black - and must say.. we won't go back! Life is so much easier.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Milwaukee on

I love Hanes. I also love Gymboree's socks, but that gets pretty $$ since they are seldom on sale...at least the white, day to day ones for boys.

Target's 'cherokee' brand aren't bad either, (they make nice white undershirts too).

1 mom found this helpful
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K.A.

answers from Little Rock on

We do the Hanes Crew socks in black. My boys are 5 and 11, but one wears a size 3-4 shoe and the other wears a 5. Both wear the same size socks. We wear the black crew because my boys are in a private school with strict uniform policies. They are required to wear black, navy or khaki socks and they have to be crew socks for the boys and preferable tights or knee socks for the girls but crew socks are acceptable for the girls. I've already been shopping for navy knee socks and tights for my daughter who starts next school year. They are harder to find and more expensive than boys crew socks and I don't relish having the missing sock issue with her for sure. Gotta find who's eating those socks. We don't have a dog (or pet at all, my husband dislikes animals) and the boys socks are a little to big for the washer to eat.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

I like hanes socks too. BUT - my kids wear the HECK out of socks. couple that with my dog's love of eating them (yucky finding them when I mow) we buy a pack every six months or so. . .
i get the low cut at Target, but even the "crew"(?) socks we use under their boots have held up reasonable well for the price.
OH and I love the black or gray socks. They don't look at dingy - that is a newer sock epiphany I had - go for it!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Redding on

I came up with this trick years ago when I noticed my husband's socks going missing. He wore suits and ties for work and his socks were expensive and not generic or interchangeable.
Did you know it's possible for socks to get sucked out through the drain pipe in the washer?
It happens.
Anyway, I bought diaper pins. You can even get them at the dollar store. Before I put socks in the washer, I pinned them together in pairs. They went in as a pair, they came out as a pair, folding was super easy because I wasn't searching or trying to match AND......no more mysterious socks missing.
Your kids are old enough that when they take a pair of socks off, they can pin them together before putting them in the hamper. It takes one second.
Being pinned together doesn't change how clean they come out in any way if you pin them at the top. They will always come out of the dryer in pairs.

I do this with my own socks, the cute ones I wear with my slacks for work, my son pins his. It's just a short extra step that keeps you from having a bag full of mismatched socks.
My son wears Hanes socks in grey. They go with everything pretty much and don't look icky after a while the way white socks will.

Best wishes.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.A.

answers from Kansas City on

My son switched over to the low black socks and he loves them. In order for any sock to work they have to fit properly. Look at the thinner Nike & Adidas. Shoe stores cost more, get a coupon for Khol's.
As far as keeping them together have a seperate sock bin in the laundry room, throw them in a mesh laundry bag and wash and dry them together.
When they're done, sort and match em up. Good luck!

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B.W.

answers from Washington DC on

I once had a coach tell us we weren't allowed to wear black socks because activity (sweaty feet) and colored socks can lead to athlete's foot. Not sure if it is true or not but something to think about.

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J.K.

answers from Kansas City on

think about it before you buy black socks. My boys want NEW black socks, because theirs aren't looking so black anymore. After a few months, they tend to look a little gray-ish.

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter is a cheerleader and has to wear the no show socks daily for practice. I swear the washer must eat them because I hever have as many come out as went into the washer!

I started using one of the laundry bags for delicates (you kow the mesh bags) and throwing all the socks in the bag. We've lost less with this tactic.

Good luck!

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