Ah, the mystery and wonder of a simple pair of socks. These fitted, magical sheaths of knitted and knotted fabric are essential for everyone from shiny new babies to wizened old women. You’ll find them in every corner of the globe, but what happens when you find your sock drawer to be a big mess? Everyone can use some insight into how to fold socks.
People usually go with whatever sock folding method they first learned. It might be something your parents taught you or that you learned from a college roommate when you started doing laundry in the dorm basement. This is a mouth-to-ear kind of knowledge, but what if you’re not maximizing your understanding of sock folding? What if there’s a better way to organize your drawer of cuddly foot coverings? As it turns out, there are lots of ways you can learn how to fold your socks. Thanks to the magic of the internet, you can expand your drawer horizons. Buckle up, because these seven sock folding methods are about to blow your mind.
7 Ways to Fold Your Socks That Will Save you Space In Your Drawer
- The Square Method
Squares are symmetrical and simple. This method of sock folding is a great way to show off the patterns on your socks. Not only that, you’ll be able to stack your socks neatly in the drawer, giving you the best bird’s eye view of your treasured feet coverings.
Note that this folding sock technique can be more time-consuming than the others at first, but with practice, it becomes much quicker. The end result is worth every Rubik’s cube-style maneuver.
- Lay the first sock out in front of you, spread neatly on a flat surface.
- Lay the second sock across the first sock in a cross shape.
- Pull the toe of the bottom sock up and over the cross-section of the top sock, then tuck it under the top sock.
- Fold the toe of the top sock over the folded toe of the bottom sock and tuck it under.
- Pull the cuff of the bottom sock across the folded middle and tuck the cuff into the pocket you’ve created.
- Repeat with the cuff of the top sock, creating a neat box of folded socks.
*Sock-folding smart suggestion: If you feel out of control in your life, this intense sock folding method will give you a sense that you have everything in hand. Even if it’s just with your stockings.
- The Single-Fold Method
Next to just stuffing your socks into the drawer without folding them at all, the single-fold method is the easiest way to take care of your socks. It’s truly what it sounds like it is – a single fold. No stress, just folded socks.
- Flatten your socks onto a flat surface with one on top of the other.
- Hold by either the cuff or the toe, then fold at the heel. The toes should now be at the cuffs.
- Flatten your socks neatly.
*Sock-folding smart suggestion: With this method, you can stack your socks on top of each other on a shelf. It’s unusual, but perhaps you yourself are strange and unusual.
- The Roll Method
This is a quick and easy way to fold your socks, and to boot it’s incredibly pleasing to look at. Your drawer will look like it’s filled with tiny pinwheels. It’s nearly on the level of the single fold technique, but with just a bit more staying power. If you do try this one, you’re best served to pack your socks tightly into the drawer so they don’t fall apart.
- Spread out your socks on a flat surface with one on top of the other.
- Starting with the toes, roll the socks as though they’re sushi.
*Sock-folding smart suggestion: When rolling, push into the curve where the roll meets the length of the sock as you roll. This will help you get a tighter spiral!
- The Military Method
Attention soldier! Make sure those socks are folded neatly, or you’ll be cleaning the latrine before you get to eat your supper! Now, drop and give me twenty!
There’s no time for shenanigans in sock folding if you’re busy being a soldier, and this folding sock technique gives you an efficient way to get it done. A bonus is that your socks will stay together well, so they don’t get lost, besides being a great space saver.
- Lay your socks out on a flat surface with one on top of the other.
- Starting with the toes, tightly roll the socks all the way to the top, leaving the cuff unrolled.
- Pull the cuff from the bottom sock over the top and around the roll.
- Stuff in any bits that are poking out.
*Sock-folding smart suggestion: Though this method is tough and efficient, be warned that it can stretch out the cuff of your socks. If you have a particularly precious pair, you might want to try a different sock folding technique.
- The Fold And Tuck Method
A slightly less origami inspired way of folding socks, this method keeps the socks together and also allows you to see the pattern clearly. It’s neat and fits well into drawers, either stacked or standing.
- Smooth your socks out onto a flat surface, heels up with one sock on top of the other.
- Fold the cuff end halfway.
- Fold the toe end halfway, just beyond the edge of the cuff.
- Tuck the toes into the top cuff.
*Sock-folding smart suggestion: Press the knitted fabric down firmly as you fold these together. If you’re sloppy about this method of sock folding, the end result will be unsatisfying. Remember, satisfaction in socks is essential.
- The Flip And Tuck Method
For some completely unknown reason, this way of folding your socks is fun. There’s something whimsical about the way the toes dangle out of the cuff. It’s not as neat as the other suggestions in this list, but what it lacks in neatness, it makes up for in ease.
- Toss your socks onto a flat surface, or even a slightly bumpy surface, one on top of the other.
- Yank one cuff over the top of the socks, pulling it about halfway down.
*Sock-folding smart suggestion: This method works best if you have a roomy sock drawer. It won’t do for anyone who has prime real estate in their dresser.
- The KonMari Method
Do your socks spark joy? If they don’t, then try folding them with Marie Kondo’s legendary method of sock folding and they just might. The whole point of this system of organization is to appreciate your possessions, so take a deep breath and relish every fuzzy inch of your tootsie coverings.
With the KonMari Method of folding anything, it’s all about thirds. There’s some kind of magic to that number. This way of folding socks is weirdly satisfying, especially once your socks are all tucked neatly into a drawer. Try not to just stand and stare at them all day.
- Smooth your socks onto a flat surface, one on top of the other.
- Starting with the toes, flip the first third up.
- Flip your folded two-thirds over the remaining third.
*Sock-folding smart suggestion: What makes this technique really work is the way you put them into your drawer. With KonMari sock folding, your folded stockings are stacked upright with the folded side up.
One major trick with all sock folding methods is to take your time. Life is frantic and at times unwieldy. This is one little corner of your universe that everyone has control over. Alternately, just use the flip and tuck and chunk them in your drawer.
How To Organize Your Socks: 7 Simple Steps To Organize Your Socks
Now that you know how to fold your socks, what do you do with them? After all, there is more to organizing than just folding.
With these seven steps, you’ll always be able to find exactly what you need.
- Search For Strays
Go through the house and collect any stray socks that you might have tucked away somewhere. Be sure to check the laundry room and the bottom of the closet. Pair up any that have gone astray and set aside any loners.
- Dump The Drawer
Not everyone keeps their socks in a drawer, but most of us do. If you have a large closet, you might consider adding a clear bin to store your socks in on a shelf. The first thing that you should do is to go get your socks from wherever they might be and dump them all out onto a flat surface like your bed, the floor, or even the kitchen table. Add your found pairs to your pile, then check again to make sure you’ve got matches for everything. We’ll deal with the lonely socks in a little bit.
- Thin The Herd
Laying out before you should be a whole mess of socks now. Here’s where you get to sorting and culling your herd of sock beasts. Make three piles: needed, wanted, and purged. In your needed pile, put the socks that are essential, like workout socks or work socks. In the wanted pile, put the socks that you just like. This is where your lucky pickle socks and your rainbow toe socks go. In your purge pile, put the socks that need to be given away. Go through the needed and wanted piles again and see if you can purge any more – less is more!
- Clean Your Sock Space
Whether you have your socks in a dresser drawer or a closet bin, the space should be clean and tidy. Wipe it out with a damp cloth or paper towel, then let it dry.
- Divide And Conquer The Space
Think about what kind of dividers you’d like to use for sock storage, then measure to see what works for that space. Some options include premade square dividers that fold out, long straight dividers that separate rows of folded socks, or even repurposed small cardboard boxes.
What you use for dividers, if any, should match the folding sock technique you’re going to use. KonMari sock folding works well with long, straight dividers. The flip and tuck method is great for plain open spaces with few socks. The square sock folding technique is suitable for honeycomb-style drawer dividers. Look at the space you have, your taste, and your needs to match your sock folding to your sock storing.
- Fold And Store Your Socks
Ah, at last you have arrived at the finale of your sock folding and storage experience! As you fold and put away your socks using the storage method of your choice, take one last chance to make sure you’re only keeping the socks you need.
- Strays And Giveaways
You’re likely to still have stray socks sticking around after you’ve done all of this looking and pairing. There’s always the chance that you’ll find their missing mates, and if you’re keen to keep them around then you’ll want to make it easy to find them. One great option is to clip the stray socks to a clothes hanger for pants and hang it near your dryer. This way, you’ll know what to look out for. Spare socks make great dusting tools too. Just slip your hand inside and wipe off shelves, blinds, or knickknacks.
When giving away spare socks, check with the organization you’re donating to before dropping them off. Some groups don’t take socks, so they’ll just incur disposal costs if you leave them in a donation bin. Worn out socks should be repurposed for cleaning or thrown out instead of being donated.
Socks are easy to come by, but they’re also precious. A favorite pair of socks can help you to feel more confident, be more comfortable, and look more stylish. Whether you’re into silly socks or sophisticated socks, you’ll find that well folded and well-organized socks are one of life’s greatest pleasures. It’s the little things!
