Do you rummage through an overflowing sock drawer looking for a matching pair every morning? Are your tights and pantyhose tangled in knots? Although it’s a small task, organizing your socks and stockings will save you a lot of time every day.

Declutter Your Socks and Stockings

The first step in any organizing project is to declutter. Create a pile of worn-out socks and stockings (ripped, torn, stretched out, holey, threadbare, etc.). Next, group the remaining socks into categories; dress socks, sports socks, etc. Then, pair up socks with their mates.

Dealing with Odd Socks

By this point, you will likely have several single socks. It’s tempting to toss them into the pile of worn-out socks and throw them all in the garbage. If a sock’s mate is already worn out, you can let them both go. However, sometimes its mate is just “hiding.” For example, the pair may have been separated in the laundry. Sometimes static cling is responsible for holding a single sock to a sweater that you tuck into a drawer at the end of the season. For that reason, I recommend keeping odd socks for a defined period (perhaps until the season changes) until you can determine that their mates are not hiding in the clothes or linens you put into storage.

Let Them Go

Some donation centres only take new socks for hygienic reasons. Other donation centres take socks of all kinds – gently used and odd socks. Even worn-out socks with holes can be useful. Environment911 has a list of over 50 uses for old socks and stockings, from dusting cloths to sock puppets. Please check with the donation centres to see what they accept before dropping off your unwanted socks and stockings.

Organizing Socks and Stockings

Firstly, think about how you get dressed and undressed before creating an organizing system. For example, do you need to grab a pair of gym socks in the dark, so you don’t wake your partner early in the morning? You may enjoy wearing fancy socks that coordinate with different outfits. Establish your priorities first because it is easier to adapt your system to your life than change your life to fit a system.

Next, look at your available storage space. Most people store their socks and stockings in a dresser. If you have drawer space, place socks into a drawer grouped in baskets; sports socks in one basket; dress socks in another, etc. If all your socks are the same colour and brand, you don’t necessarily need to pair them. Simply toss them into the same basket and pull out any two when needed. If you want to keep your socks in pairs, consider divided organizers.

Sock storage baskets are ideal if you do not have drawer space because you can store the baskets on a closet shelf. This hanging closet storage organizer comes with drawers to hold socks, stockings, underwear, bras, and more. Alternatively, you could repurpose an over-the-door hanging pocket organizer to store your socks and stockings. I recommend one with oversized pockets so you can easily get your hand in and out without ripping the pocket.

Here is another tip for organizing socks. If you have socks of similar colour (e.g., black and dark brown), place a completely different colour (white or tan) between them. You will know the black ones are always on the left, even in low-light conditions.

Generally, you can organize stockings (tights, pantyhose, etc.) the same way as socks. However, stockings are often more delicate, so choose organizers with smooth cloth-type lining (no wicker baskets, please!). It would help if you stored net/mesh and lace stockings in a silk-type or organza bag for extra protection against pulls and tears.

There are no rules that state you must store all your socks in the same place. Sometimes it is better to keep specialty socks somewhere else. For instance, you can store sport-specific socks with your other sporting equipment. You can place your silk stockings in a lingerie bag on the hanger with your ballgown.

Organizing your socks and stockings isn’t the most glamorous job, but it will save you some time and reduce stress every time you get dressed. Read more tips on organizing clothing and closets. For hands-on help, contact the Out of Chaos team today.