Laundry Question

Updated on June 02, 2008
K.A. asks from Pleasant Hill, CA
7 answers

Here is my dumb question of the day and I thought there is no better place to ask it then on this site: I was on the phone with my girlfriend this morning while putting a load of whites in the laundry which includes my husband and 8 year old sons dirty, crusty, stinky white socks. I made the comment to her that I hate washing whites because it means I have to stick my hand in their 'icky' sock to turn it the right side out (being they are always inside out). She asked me why I bother doing this because it doesnt make a difference if they are inside out or not as they will get just as clean either way. I replied I wanted to make sure the outsides of the socks were clean (as that is where they are dirtiest) so I turned them the right way before washing. As silly as this sounds (and yes, I have bigger things to worry about) I have found my self wondering am I wasting my time turning their socks the right side out before doing laundry? Does anyone else do this?

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L.W.

answers from San Francisco on

I think the answer is one of those, well it depends replies.
My own mostly black socks, worn only with civilized shoes, mostly not muddy, and I don't bother to turn them.
Or my husband's and kid's socks which are often a bit more needy.
Most of the time this is just fine.
Even so, sometimes when I'm emptying the dryer and turning the socks and putting them into pairs I'll hit a reject-wash-again sock.
And with my kid's socks sometimes there will be little bits of gravel or other crud inside it which have gotten through the whole cycle.
(Well, now it's at least clean crud.)
I don't mind dealing with quality control when things are a step cleaner, but it is less efficient.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.G.

answers from San Francisco on

Even though it sounds horrible, when the socks are turned inside out they need to be turned so that way the dirt washes off, if it is not done, when the wash cycle is done the socks will be very dingy, of which for some reason men always seem to do this, I know because my husband plays soccer and he does this with his soccer socks, hope this helps.

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H.T.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi K.,
I am not an expert but my husband is a Drywall Contractor and sometimes his socks seem like they are going to stand on their own. I always make sure that they are right side out as if I don't, they remain crusty after I wash them and then have to re-wash them. I also have requested (years ago - we've been married for 13 years and together for 15) that he turn his socks right side out after he takes them off but sometimes there is that stray sock.
H.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from San Francisco on

This may sound even more crazy, but I always do the same thing and wouldn't even imagine not turning them inside out.
what did other people say?
S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.A.

answers from San Francisco on

I don't turn them right side out before washing, but should. After washing my boys' socks after soccer practice on freshly mowed lawns, their socks still have grass pieces stuck in them. I realize this each week after they are "clean" when I turn them right side out before putting them back in their drawers. So what do I do - I wash them again but the second time they become "grass free" because they are right side out. I think you are right and your friend is wrong.

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J.S.

answers from San Francisco on

i'd have to side with your friend! My gym socks get just as clean inside out as they do right side out.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.N.

answers from San Francisco on

You can think of it another way...do you want to turn the sock right side out before the wash, or after the wash? I agree that the sock will get just as clean. However, I'm guessing that you like folks to wear the socks with the right side facing out. Unless you leave them inside out throughout the entire cycle, then you can pick when you want to do it. I personally don't turn my husband's shirts or socks right side out. I hate to do this particular element--not because of the dirt factor, but because of time. I even fold them inside out for him. I've told him that if it matters to him, he can turn them right side out before they go into the hamper. Otherwise, he seems happy to do it at the other end. I've had no complaints, and am a much happier washer.

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