Tackling the Dreaded Sock Basket

You thought just because I had heart surgery Saturday I wouldn’t be here today? How could I miss a Tackle it Tuesday?

The laundry was piled high before I went to the hospital and patiently awaiting me when I got home. I was glad I finally had the energy to get it done and out of the way.

Being a bit overwhelmed motivated me to purge. I sorted and matched every sock in the house. Then put all the lone socks (and matching socks that don’t get worn) in our Goodwill basket in our laundry room.

I got rid of a lot of socks! Enough to fill one plastic grocery bag to overflowing. Which means we have that much more room in our drawers. Yeah!

…

Sock Sorting Tips

Use a basket or dishpan in the laundry area for socks that have lost their mate in the wash. Maybe the other sock will turn up. If the match doesn’t turn up in a month toss the lone sock.
Save a few lone ankle socks as swiffer covers. I got this super tip from Grey Matter’s Works for Me Wednesday post a few weeks back.
Minimize the colors and types of socks you buy. Buy a large quantity of one brand (we get the big bags at Walmart and never get any other brands – 20 pair for $14.00).
To keep my socks separate from boys’ socks I only buy pink toed socks for me. Mine have the pink breast cancer ribbon (also from Walmart).
Use sock sorters or safety pins to pair socks before washing.

Store socks neatly in these nifty plastic diamond Drawer Organizers – $7.50 on Amazon; also at Walmart and Target.

Sock Poem

Looking for Laundry Tips? Check out Biblical Womanhood’s blog Making Your Home a Haven Monday: Tackle the Laundry. Don’t miss the eighty-some helpful laundry comments.

Find out more about Tackle It Tuesday here.

What have you tackled in your home this week?

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There Are 19 Responses So Far. »

Comment by Warren Rolle :

Hi Robin,
Thanks for using my poem! I appreciate the exposure. Especially after not having writing anything for so long. I too am a homescooler. Wouldn’t trade it for the world. You may also want to visit My Wife’s Blog and My Homeschooling Friends’s Blog> as well.

Thanks again and I hope you have a Blessed day.

Warren Rolle’s last blog post..February Wrap-up
Comment by Michelle Potter :

Great tips, thanks!

Michelle Potter’s last blog post..Tackle It Tuesday: Under The Kitchen Sink
Comment by Sweetpeas :

Similar to your dishpan idea, but better suited for my TINY laundry room, I hung an old tote bag on the door & that’s where I toss the mis-matched socks, my girls fold & pair the socks when we do laundry & they know to dump the tote bag in w/ the new laundry & then to put any lone socks back in the tote bag once they’re done (though since they’re 4 yr olds I do occasionally check to see if there are pairs they’ve missed in the tote bag LOL)

Also lone socks (or socks w/ holes in the toe) work great for dusting or cleaning out sinks, tubs, etc, just slip the sock on your hand & go to town

Sweetpeas’s last blog post..Menu Plan Monday
Comment by Karen :

Great ideas. My machine tends to eat socks. I always have extra ones with no mate.
Comment by Alana :

First, I’m glad you are home and feeling well enough to do anything especially the laundry. You always have such great ideas. I’m glad you liked my socks as swiffers idea – looks like you’ll have plenty to use for awhile! Take care.

Alana’s last blog post..Tackle It Tuesday #9 – Planting Easter Basket Grass
Comment by Sheila Gregoire :

I love those sock organizers! I have some for my drawers, too.

The only thing is they still don’t help when your socks don’t have mates. I have about 53 single socks right now, and I hate to throw them out because I’m sure I’ll find the better half soon.

What really gets me mad is when some of the single ones are handknitted ones!

Congratulations on going through your socks, even after surgery! Hope you’re feeling better soon!

Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!

Sheila Gregoire’s last blog post..Tackle It Tuesday: My Tupperware
Comment by Lynne :

Oh my gosh! Glad you’re home and feeling up to a tackle like this! Nice job!
Comment by Kisha :

Good suggestions on the basket thing. I’ll have to give that a try, thanks.

Kisha’s last blog post..Tackle It Tuesday
Comment by mjpuzzlemom :

So glad to have you home! Thanks for the sock tips!

MJ

mjpuzzlemom’s last blog post..Jackie’s Apple Corned Beef
Comment by The (Almost) Amazing Mommarino :

Great tips! I use lingerie bags to do my baby/toddler socks. Now they never get lost!

The (Almost) Amazing Mommarino’s last blog post..A Slice of Homeschooling Life
Comment by Mandy :

Thanks for visiting my blog! I fill a few stray socks with baking soda and tie it off with a pretty ribbon. We leave them by the door and stick them in our shoes. They soak up any moisture and leave them deoderized. Much better than those sprays you buy at the store!

Mandy’s last blog post..Works for me Wednesday
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Comment by Barbara Ling (aka Owlbert) :

Socks never end up in a basket at my house – they gather in packs and go roaming thru my kids’ rooms and burrow under beds, inside refrigerators, etc.

Truly feral beasties, socks are.

Enjoy,

Barbara

Barbara Ling (aka Owlbert)’s last blog post..Ban YOUR Imminent Holiday Horror Story – 3 Blazing Tips to a Stress-free Easter or Purim Family Gathering
Comment by lydia :

eneter my code
to outrigger island
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Comment by Thomasena :

This is simply awesome! I have gone through by them one by one.Thanks so much for the post.
Regards,
Thomasena
Comment by Harry :

It a nice site collecting all info about Socks.
I use to buy different variety of socks and i need this information.
Comment by Florentina :

It’s so good!
but why i can’t find my earlier comment?
-Florentina
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[...] Tackling the Dreaded Sock Basket [...]