diff --git a/src/core/net/socket.hpp b/src/core/net/socket.hpp
index 27d18d847..f59619d53 100644
--- a/src/core/net/socket.hpp
+++ b/src/core/net/socket.hpp
@@ -202,7 +202,13 @@ public:
      * This constructor initializes the object.
      *
      */
-    SockAddr(void) { memset(this, 0, sizeof(*this)); }
+    SockAddr(void) { Clear(); }
+
+    /**
+     * This method clears the object (sets all fields to zero).
+     *
+     */
+    void Clear(void) { memset(this, 0, sizeof(*this)); }
 
     /**
      * This method returns a reference to the IPv6 address.
diff --git a/src/core/net/udp6.cpp b/src/core/net/udp6.cpp
index 874ef00af..5db03c4f1 100644
--- a/src/core/net/udp6.cpp
+++ b/src/core/net/udp6.cpp
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ otError UdpSocket::Open(otUdpReceive aHandler, void *aContext)
 {
     otError error = OT_ERROR_NONE;
 
-    memset(&mSockName, 0, sizeof(mSockName));
-    memset(&mPeerName, 0, sizeof(mPeerName));
+    GetSockName().Clear();
+    GetPeerName().Clear();
     mHandler = aHandler;
     mContext = aContext;
 
@@ -142,8 +142,8 @@ otError UdpSocket::Close(void)
 #endif
 
     Get<Udp>().RemoveSocket(*this);
-    memset(&mSockName, 0, sizeof(mSockName));
-    memset(&mPeerName, 0, sizeof(mPeerName));
+    GetSockName().Clear();
+    GetPeerName().Clear();
 
 #if OPENTHREAD_CONFIG_PLATFORM_UDP_ENABLE
 exit: