How to Save Time Sorting Socks

Relieving sock sorting stress and save money.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• safety pins from dollar store
• socks
• Whitener vs. bleach
• washer
• dryer

1. Safety pins should be plainly accessible to all family members who are old enough to use a safety pin safely. Where ever your family does most of your undressing (in our house its the bathroom). Children who are old enough and know how to use safety pins can do this on their own. Younger children should be instructed to keep socks on side of laundry basket so it make is easier for parents/older children to get to the socks to proceed with the next steps.

2. When child/adult removes the socks they are to grab a safety pin and insert it on the top or bottom of one sock (depending on the thickness of the sock). If you have thinner socks you can insert the safety pin near the bottom of the sock (where the toes are) this would preserve the socks and they will last longer. Thinner socks tend to lose it elasticity and safety pin may make the sock more frail quickly if you insert them at near the top. For thicker socks you need to insert the safety pin at the top (where the ankle/leg would be). These socks can take the little extra abuse, and you don't have to force the safety pin through the thickness of the bottom (by the toes).

3. Now it is time to place all your white socks* with rest of all your white underclothing at one time (this save time, energy, and water etc). Use all natural cloths whitener vs.. bleach, to have socks (and all other laundry) last longer. I save time and money this way because socks last longer and all natural detergent is cheaper. (I use Melaleuca products -it is allergen free, no phosphates, no perfumes, its ecological, and smells naturally good, it is also cheaper, but you have to order product on-line.)

Tips & Warnings

• In certain cases where child/adult wears double socks, or a few days have went by and this method was not done. You can follow the same instructions but put 2 or 3 pairs of socks on the same safety pin. In fact, that also saves more time because you would do that for each separate child/adult in the house and when the laundry comes out of the dryer all you need to do is remove safety pin, have child/adult fold and put away socks. My family is now eager to help with the sock sorting (before they used to run away and avoid sock sorting day.)It also helps them with responsibility.
• Purchase white socks for the entire family (or black socks). If you do white socks just purchase different color toes for each individual family member that way sorting is even easier. Each child knows their color in my home (and they take ownership for them). When one child grows out of those it is easy to switch and give it to the next child! (YES MY SOCKS DO LAST THAT LONG!)
• If you are ecological conscious like I am get a few other conscious people together and order natural products on line together because. some might require a minimum purchase each month. It is worth the money and the savings are outstanding.
• Thinner socks should be safety pinned at the bottom, to avoid unraveling the material on the top.
• To avoid getting pinched by the safety pin, do not try and force the safety pin on the bottom of the thicker socks.

[howtobehappy]

on 7/12/2009 Ebay has a seller called Socklab with socks that stay snapped together for washing and drying. As soon as you take them off you snap them together. Then when you're ready to wear them you unsnap. They're new and so cool. I just hope they come up with more styles, sizes and colors. My husband won't wear anything but these for sports. He's had 1/2 dozen pairs since last summer and has worn them to death. They're the only socks I don't mind washing and drying because they go in paired and come out in pairs. I want some too but they don't have my size yet. Maybe soon. I hope! Wonder how big the pile of lost socks would be if we all put them together?

[proudprmomma]

on 3/17/2009 i just got so tired of my daughter complaining when we had to sort them. Then I used to spend so much money buying new ones because I did not want to sort them. One day I said I will just safety pin them together. And My teenage daughter was like. That's a great idea why hasn't anyone ever thought of that?... She loved it. Socks also don't get lost! You know how you lose a pair somewhere between the time u put them in the wash and the time you pair them up.. The washer/dryer monster gets them...lol... well thanks for the comment and support. Share it with your friends give them the link!

[andrewzebrun3]

on 3/17/2009 Great article, as a former Mr. Mom I could've used this info in my last career!