How to avoid losing socks in the washing machine or dryer.

It's a common thing in so many households -- Socks go in the washing machine or in the dryer and they disappear. Only one returns. I can only imagine that it's those "Messy Faeries" that come in to play here, LOL!
This can become an expensive problem, especially in a large household, or with those that like their branded socks. . A basket of mis-matched socks isn't always useful and playing "Sock Solitaire" isn't that much fun.
Here's what I do in order to minimise the sock loss during the laundry process. It has definitely helped. I know if my sons cleaned their rooms very thoroughly, we would no doubt find many of the missing socks. The washing machine does not really lose them, but many of these smelly items don't even make it to the wash in the first place!