The Best Way to Wash Baby Socks

by Andrea Buckner Schoenherr

Overview

Baby socks have a reputation for becoming lost in washing machines and dryers. Fortunately, you can employ several techniques to keep your baby's socks clean and organized. The best method for washing your baby's socks depends on the time you have available.
General Care

As with all baby clothes, wash your baby's socks before they are worn for the first time. Wash your baby's clothes with a gentle detergent that is specially designed for babies or is free of fragrances and dyes. Fabric softeners and dryer sheets should not be used with baby's clothes as their fragrances can be irritating to baby's skin and they may lessen the effectiveness of fire retardants in baby's sleepwear.

Losing a Sock

Make sure to carefully check the washer and dryer after washing baby's clothes. If you have a front load washer, baby socks can easily become lodged in the rubber seal. Also, if you are short on time for sorting laundry, consider mostly sticking to one style and color of baby sock. Skip the step of folding baby socks and just pull out a match as needed.
Keeping the Pairs Together

A mesh laundry bag or lingerie bag is one option for keeping baby's socks together while washing. Simply place baby's socks in the bag when dirty and wash the socks in the bag when needed. Alternatively, use safety pins to pin each pair of socks together before washing. The pins stay in until it is time to fold the socks. Make sure to keep the safety pins well away from baby.
Innovations

Creative minds are at work to end the problem of lost baby socks. Stay with Me socks, for example, are designed with Velcro to keep the socks securely on baby's feet. When washing, the Velcro straps are looped together, with the result of no lost socks.