Inputs
Results
Enter inputs and press Calculate.
Quick Indicators
Example Data Table
Sample scenarios to compare settings.
| Scenario | Total Socks | Loads/Week | Socks/Load | Loss % | Mispair % | Entropy | Months | Est. Pairs Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family of 4 | 80 | 5 | 30 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.40 | 12 | ? |
| Single apartment | 30 | 2 | 12 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.25 | 12 | ? |
| Dorm roommate | 40 | 3 | 18 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.55 | 8 | ? |
Formula Used
We model each load as introducing two independent risks:
- Physical loss: Each sock has probability
p_L = machineLossPct / 100to vanish per load. - Mispairing: Each sock has probability
p_M = mispairPct / 100to be separated from its mate for that cycle.
Let S_L be expected single socks after a load and P be expected intact pairs. For a load processing N socks,
expected socks lost is N * p_L. Survivors are N * (1 - p_L). A surviving pair remains matchable with probability
(1 - p_M) * (1 - entropy). Over L loads, the pair survival factor is compounded:
pair_survival_factor = [(1 - p_L)^2 * (1 - p_M) * (1 - entropy)]^L
Starting with P0 = floor(totalSocks / 2) pairs, expected intact pairs after time horizon is
P = P0 * pair_survival_factor. Estimated pairs lost ≈ P0 - P.
Recovery model: Each missing sock has a per-search success r = recoveryPct/100, with k searches/month. Over m months,
recovery factor ≈ 1 - (1 - r)^(k * m). We subtract recovered singles before reporting final losses.
Monetary impact: replacement_cost = pairCost * max(0, pairs_lost - recovered_pairs).
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your household sock count and typical laundry activity.
- Adjust loss, mispair, and entropy based on your setup and habits.
- Pick a time horizon and pair replacement cost.
- Set how often you search for singles and how successful those hunts are.
- Click Calculate to see expected pairs lost, singles, and cost.
- Export your results as CSV or PDF for planning and sharing.
FAQs
1) Is the model realistic?
It is a simplified expectation model. Real households vary, but the sliders help approximate your situation.
2) What is drawer entropy?
A factor capturing how socks drift apart during storage and wear cycles, making rematching harder.
3) Why compounding over loads?
Each cycle gives new chances to lose or mispair, so we compound the survival probabilities.
4) Can I reduce losses?
Use wash bags, clip socks in pairs, empty machine seals, and sort immediately after drying.
5) What if my socks differ by color or style?
The calculator treats pairs uniformly. To refine, run separate scenarios per style and sum results.
6) Why do recovered socks not equal recovered pairs?
You need both members to rebuild a pair; recovery odds apply independently to each missing sock.