Probably everyone knows the phenomenon of the “eaten” sock in the washing machine. But why do so many socks actually disappear when washing – and what can I do about it?
Why do socks disappear in the washing machine?
Sometimes we blame the washing machine even though we misplaced the sock ourselves or it disappeared among the other clothes we were washing. In fact, the machine is often really the culprit. The so-called bellows are responsible for this, i.e. the rubber seal between the laundry drum and the washing machine door. This actually prevents liquids from leaking out during the washing process. When the drum is spun at around 1000 revolutions per minute, high forces are generated. To prevent water, detergent or foam from getting into the housing, there is a rubber ring between the moving drum and the front of the washing machine.
If the washing machine is too full, the laundry cannot move freely when turning and small items of clothing, such as socks, are pushed through the gap between the rubber and the drum. Larger items can also get caught there, but they pull the rest of the laundry back into the drum.
The swallowed sock, on the other hand, now wanders through the inside of the machine. Should she reach the bottom of the case, she will wait there until the washing machine is unscrewed for inspection and the missing items of clothing are collected. But when the sock gets to the heating element, it usually gets caught there and actually dissolves over time. The only strange thing is that usually only one sock is “eaten” by the machine and the corresponding counterpart reappears between the rest of the laundry.
Tip: how to never lose your socks again in the wash
By the way: Old washing machines are more susceptible to the phenomenon than newer models. But you don’t have to buy a new machine straight away. It would be helpful to put a new rubber seal between the door and the drum.
An easy-to-implement trick is to always pay attention to the correct filling quantity when loading in order to avoid the drum being too full. You can also tie the socks together before washing so that you end up with a complete pair.
To be on the safe side, a laundry bag in which you can pack your clothes is ideal. This is also recommended for bras, by the way, to prevent them from getting caught in the machine. Alternatively, there are sock clips or holders that make the tiresome sock drama a thing of the past.
