There are dozens of theories, from scientific to downright silly. Here are the most common explanations people argue about:

Static Cling
Small, lightweight socks can stick to larger clothes like sheets or sweatshirts. They stay hidden until days later when you finally notice them clinging to something else in your closet.
Machine Gaps
Washing machines and dryers aren’t perfect. Tiny gaps around the drum or rubber seals can actually swallow socks. In fact, repair technicians often find them stuck inside machines during maintenance.
Transfer Mistakes
Sometimes socks simply fall while moving laundry from washer to dryer. They slide behind machines, get trapped under baskets, or land in places you’d never think to look.
Simple Human Error
The most boring explanation: maybe you never put both socks in to begin with. One might still be under the bed or inside your shoes.
The Conspiracy Theory
Of course, the internet loves to joke that dryers secretly “eat” socks as a kind of laundry tax. It’s silly, but the joke keeps the mystery alive.

The missing sock mystery works so well online because it checks all the boxes of viral content:

Relatability – Everyone has lived it.
Humor – It’s frustrating, but funny enough to laugh about.
Engagement – People rush to comment with their theories, hacks, or jokes.
Universality – Doesn’t matter where you’re from; socks disappear everywhere.