Where Do Missing Socks Go? The Truth Behind the Washer Mystery
Ever finished laundry only to discover socks have vanished? Turns out, it's not a myth—your washing machine can indeed "eat" clothes. A laundry expert reveals how this happens and how to retrieve lost items.
Ever found yourself doing a load of laundry only to end up with missing socks? It turns out that this isn't just an urban legend—your washing machine can indeed "eat" your clothes. A laundry expert reveals how this happens and how you can find lost items.
Deyan Dimitrov, founder of Laundryheap, uncovers that washing at high spin speeds can cause small items to be sucked into the machine's drainage hole. "The idea that the washing machine eats clothes has often been dismissed as myth, but small items can indeed vanish during a wash cycle. When you put clothes in the machine on a high spin cycle, small garments can get sucked into the drainage system. Items can also get caught above the rubber seal that lines the washer. Fortunately, it's quite easy to retrieve them."
Dimitrov notes that frequently missing items are small ones like socks, and explains how to check if clothes have ended up in the drainage system: "After each use, run your hand around the rubber seal inside the drum. Socks often get stuck there. If the laundry goes into the drainage hole, you’ll need to remove the washing machine's front panel. Once you’ve done that, you’ll find a circular compartment that can be dismantled. Keep a bowl handy in case water starts leaking. At this stage, you’ll be able to see items that got sucked in."
To prevent items from being sucked in, Dimitrov suggests placing small items in a specialized laundry bag that closes with a drawstring, saying, "That way, delicate things will be kept together and safe from harm in the machine."
Where Are My Socks? Watch the video revealing where our clothes hide:
