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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pairing Dirty Socks

28 replies

SmellySocks12345 · 31/12/2019 15:42

Hello, I'm new to mumsnet and don't have any kids myself, but my fiancee has 3, so it's been a steep learning curve!!

One of my pet grips is that his kids pair their dirty socks into balls (like what you would do when they're clean) and put them in the laundry basket. I do all the washing and cleaning and find it rather disgusting to unpair their dirty socks ready for washing. I cannot see the logic (they don't repair themselves to move from the washing machine to tumble dryer etc)!!

I have over 30 'balls' of dirty socks in my laundry basket as I have out right refused to unpair them. Now it's almost 2020, i'm going to ask the kids to unpair the socks already in the basket and NOT to pair any socks in the future (i.e. just put them straight into the laundry basket).

Am I being unreasonable for not wanting to unpair dirty socks?

Any thoughts would greatly be appreciated

OP posts:
DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 31/12/2019 15:44

So don't unpair them.

Job done.

onanothertrain · 31/12/2019 15:46

I think YABU about the children's socks but I also think YABU to be doing all the cleaning and washing.

LochJessMonster · 31/12/2019 15:48

Well YABU as you haven't actually told them not to do it.
Just tell them in future to leave them undone?

Or wash them paired up? Surely they'll come apart in the machine.

Kaykay066 · 31/12/2019 15:50

Least they don’t get lost tbh wish mine would do that I am sick of hunting for pairs as youngest takes his off in different places

vanillay · 31/12/2019 15:53

I find that with more than the one or two people in the house, if you don't pair off socks before you put them in the washing basket they just end up going missing and getting mixed up.

If you don't like unpairing then then just ask them to pair them less tightly (like just fold the top of one sock over the top of the other)
and chuck then in like that but tbh I think you're being way too precious. Unless they've been running about outside with just them on, socks are no more gross than any other dirty laundry and surely you'll be touching them anyway to get them in the machine.

MissConductUS · 31/12/2019 15:54

I think they'll still get clean in the wash cycle while paired. My problem is that they don't always get completely dry in the tumble dryer at the same time as everything else. It does save hunting for the pairs though.

laudete · 31/12/2019 15:54

I get my kids to turn their socks out before dumping them in the laundry basket. They're my own kids so it's not "disgusting" to handle their clothes. But, it's a timesaver to not have to turn their socks the right way out before putting them in the washing machine.

KittenVsXmastree · 31/12/2019 15:54

I suspect that is the way washing is done at home, so it might be so ingrained it is difficult to change. Just wash them paired, and delight in not having to pair 10billion similar, but not quite identical, black socks!

Knittedfairies · 31/12/2019 15:55

You need something like these. Instead of balling up their socks, use a sock clip, then throw them into the washing machine fastened together. Either put them in the tumble dryer or on the washing line to dry. Job done! I have different colours for each family member.

BackforGood · 31/12/2019 16:00

Not quite sure why you would roll dirty socks into a pair, but it is clearly the way they have been taught by your df or their Mum, so not something they'd think of to do differently.

Just put them in the washing machine as they are - they'll still get washed, and very likely unravel themselves.
Seems very odd to just leave them in the laundry basket.

squishyduck · 31/12/2019 16:03

YABU - but only because I wish my partner did this because I’m forever looking for the other sock! 😂

Lllot5 · 31/12/2019 16:05

I taught mine to roll dirty socks in one so as not to have lots of odd socks.
Just unroll then and put them in machine don’t think they’re disgusting.
I wouldn’t be doing all their washing either but that’s beside the point.

nokidshere · 31/12/2019 16:05

Not quite sure why you would roll dirty socks into a pair, but it is clearly the way they have been taught by your df or their Mum, so not something they'd think of to do differently

I can absolutely guarantee that I have never taught either of my sons to do this, but they have always, and still, do it 🙄 (they are now 18&21)

I just wash them rolled up if they are in the basket, they know what the answer would be if they complained.

DappledThings · 31/12/2019 16:06

I check every sock for its pair before they go in the machine so I'd love to have them already matched. And unless they've been walking on pavements covered in dog shit with no shoes in I can't see what is disgusting about worn socks.

22Giraffes · 31/12/2019 16:06

YABU, i would much prefer my kids to do this as it stops pairs getting separated, ds always takes one sock off halfway through the day and loses it! As for being disgusting, it can't be worse than washing underwear surely Confused

Original poster
SmellySocks12345 · 31/12/2019 16:11

Many thanks for your comments so far.

Unfortunately they don't unravel themselves so you end up with one clean and one dirty wet sock! Also the kids go outside in just their socks so they are filthy when it comes to washing. Hence why I really don't want to unravel them and get sprayed with dirt etc!!

Maybe if your a mum you have extra tolerances to this type of stuff!!

OP posts:
redshoes2017 · 31/12/2019 16:13

This is a pet hate of mine too! My three sons and husband do this and I hate having to unpair their dirty smelly socks .

Xiaoxiong · 31/12/2019 16:15

I have never heard of this. If you intentionally roll socks into pairs to go in the washing machine how does the "inside" sock get clean?

I'm trying to teach my kids to turn their socks right side out when they go in the wash, I put them all to one side when they come out of the machine and then match them and peg together by the toe.

Lllot5 · 31/12/2019 16:22

@Xiaoxiong
No you unroll them to go in the machine. It’s just to keep them together in the basket.

Pop2017 · 31/12/2019 16:24

My lot just chuck loose dirty socks on the floor for me to pick up which is annoying too! And often leave them tangled up so I have to straighten them out!

FluffyEarMuffs · 31/12/2019 16:24

If socks is the main issue you have with step children, you are doing really really well!

On the balling thing, I suspect that's how they have been asked to do it. It's going to be hard for them to remember if it's automatic. I'd maybe work on them not going outside in just socks first! That might be easier.

Nanny0gg · 31/12/2019 16:32

On Amazon
Socks Holders For Washing Machine Washing Lines or Storage Plastic Set Of 10 By Remi Tools (R)

inwood · 31/12/2019 16:33

My husband does this and I refuse to unbalanced them. I also refuse to take his pants out of his trousers. It irrationally annoys me.

Arthritica · 31/12/2019 16:34

YANBU. Handling other people’s smelly muddy socks is unpleasant. I put up with it in my own kids (and tell them not to do it) but I’d really hate it handling anyone else’s.

I don’t pair socks anymore. The assorted loose socks go on that person’s clean laundry pile for them to sort out

spurlingpipe · 31/12/2019 16:35

Maybe a net bag for each of them to put their socks in. Whole bag can just get chucked in the washing machine without you touching the socks.

Or insist on shoes outside the house.

Or get dh to deal with the gross muddy socks

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