The eternal mystery of "Odd Socks". Why do socks go missing in the wash?

Test it out:

Put 5 pairs of socks in your washing machine with a normal load. Count them at the end of the washing cycle and I bet you only have 7 socks left! 2 pairs and 3 odd ones.

Where do the 3 missing socks go? Why does a "pair" never go missing?

Is there a land of "missing sock" where mountains of unclaimed socks reside?

Or, is it an alian conspiracy aiming to distabalise the world by random sock rustling?

The missing sock issue seems to be a worldwide phenomena. A basic search on Google reveals hundreds of posts about the likely whereabouts of the "odd sock".

My best guess is that more socks go missing in the tumble drier due to build of static electricity and the natural magnetic effect of highly charged nylon socks. This makes socks "stick" inside sleeves and trouser legs where they remain hidden until the article is worn again.

One good way to avoid losing socks is to place them all in a pillow case (tied at the top) prior to washing.

A funny poem about missing socks can be read here:

I used to have socks
but alas they’re no more
though I peered in the cupboards
and I searched on the floor

I looked in the freezer
and under the stairs
in the end I presumed
they’d been taken by Bears

I phoned London Zoo
and demanded they see
that my socks weren’t being worn
by a chimp or a bee
{http://www.1976design.com/blog/archive/poetry/2004/02/25/missing-socks/}

Jack<br><br>Post edited by: Jack, at: 2007/07/09 12:52