washing socks--dumb question

[Kiragirl]

Do you wash your ski socks in a regular laundry cycle or hand wash? I'm nervous about them shrinking. thanks.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Delicate cycle, hang to dry. No problems yet (SmartWools). Not a dumb question at all! I would think they very well would shrink if dried in a dryer?? Anyway, I don't put them in a dryer. Too expensive to shrink!

 

[geargrrl]

Some manufacturers recommend dryer to maintain the loft. I know my Thorlos are like that. I do believe Smartwool is treated with a proprietary treatment so they don't shrink in the dryer but whatever makes you happy

Smartwool's sheep are really happy too but that's a different thread.

gg

 

[Kiragirl]

thanks, I have Smartwools...will NOT put in dryer.

glad the sheep are happy, are ewe? I yam.

 

[num]

I had Thorlos before Smartwools, and the packaging on them said to make sure to turn inside out before putting in the washing machine, so I got into the habit and do that with my Smartwools as well. I machine wash and dry both the Thorlos and the Smartwools and haven't had any problems thusfar.

 

[SkiNurse]

All my merino wool layers (yes, that includes socks) regardless of brand go into the washing machine, delicate cycle & I use Woolite.

For drying, it depends on what the labels say. About half them are line or lay flat dry. The others go into the dryer with NO fabric softener sheets.

All my wool labels state "Do Not Use Fabric Softener"..so , I don't.

 

[SuperMoe]

clean socks

I typically wash all my ski clothes together, in cold water (unless it's something really skunky). I don't dry them in the dryer, I line dry...but I have a new "Cadillac" of dryers which has a nice air cycle, so I will throw them in for a while.

But ultimately, since I pay so much for my socks, etc. I like to keep them a long time, I air dry them

 

[jaydog]

I've got a bunch of Smartwool stuff- socks and baselayers, and have been throwing 'em in the dryer on gentle cycle for several years with no problems.

 

[Bravosarah]

I just put them in regular wash, dryer too. No problems, I've never even thought about it 'til now.

 

[Jilly]

Same here. I want the suckers clean and dry!

 

[geargrrl]

All my merino wool layers (yes, that includes socks) regardless of brand go into the washing machine, delicate cycle & I use Woolite.

For drying, it depends on what the labels say. About half them are line or lay flat dry. The others go into the dryer with NO fabric softener sheets.

All my wool labels state "Do Not Use Fabric Softener"..so , I don't.

fabric tech tidbits. ( if you know me from other boards, you've heard all this before:D )
Never use fabric softener, especially with anything wicking, breathable or tecchy. Fabric softener coats the fibers so that performance is reduced over time.

If you like to use Woolite, try baby shampoo instead. It's cheaper and more mild. Woolite is actually a fairly harsh detergent, but it's got a lot of conditioners added to it.


If you like WIN, try regular detergent with some Oxyclean. Same thing, less money.

gg

 

[IntheClouds]

Wool - if the label says you can use the machine & the dryer than that wool has been processed or "superwashed" to remove the scales from the hairshaft. That means the wool will not felt with soap(or sulfuric acid) , friction, some heat drying. Removing the ability of the wool to felt removes the extreme shrinkage that occurs when washed with soap,in a machine & then heat/tumbled dry. Most of the socks & sock yarns on the market today have been de-scaled & are safe to machine wash & dry. Unless the label says otherwise. The most important thing is to remove all soap residue. Soap eats wool over time. (causes a ph change)

 

[Kiragirl]

tons of great advice--I'm thinking the key is to not use and heavy detergent and high heat if drying.

My feets thank you.

 

[smpayne]

All my Smartwool sock do fine in the dryer. However, they do feel softer if I hang them up instead. I haven't noticed any shrinkage. I use the EURO socks for skiing and those are great in the dryer. I don't even bother to wash on delicate for socks, they just go into the cold water wash - although a few have sneeked into the warm water wash and still no problems.

Try a cup of cider vinegar instead of fabric softener in the rinse cycle - it helps to get all the detergent out.

 

[skigrl27]

I oftened wondered myself. But since I go through my ski clothes so fast & they get pretty rank quickly...I tend to wash them & need them right away - so I wash & dry everything. My SmartWool socks have held up like a dream so far!

 

[ski diva]

I wash my ski stuff in the machine in cold water on the delicate cycle, then dry in the dryer set on low. And yes, I have Smart Wool sox. No shrinkage or problems.

 

[w.ski]

I wash my ski stuff in the machine in cold water on the delicate cycle, then dry in the dryer set on low. And yes, I have Smart Wool sox. No shrinkage or problems.

Me, too (smart wool sox). Although there have been times when they've gone through the wash on a regular cycle and I've forgotten to set the dryer on low, and they've come out just fine with no shrinkage.

 

[Bravosarah]

I should add that I have many different name brands. I get them for Christmas and birthdays. (My birthday falls on the Toronto ski show week. Thanks Mom!

All these brands have held up in regular wash / dry, some for many years:

Salomon; X-Socks; Smartwool; RiverFox (?) Hot Chilly's and DeFeet.

 

[altagirl]

I just throw my smartwool socks in the dryer. No problems on high heat. However, I did shrink an Icebreaker top that got put in the dryer. Not sure what the difference is there. But I hang the wool tops and throw the socks in the dryer and that has worked for me.

 

[geargrrl]

I just throw my smartwool socks in the dryer. No problems on high heat. However, I did shrink an Icebreaker top that got put in the dryer. Not sure what the difference is there. But I hang the wool tops and throw the socks in the dryer and that has worked for me.

The reason wool shrinks, short version, is that the nature of the fibers is that they catch on each other, ultimately turning in to felt, SHRINKING when temperature and agitation are combined ( washing and drying). Unless, as Intheclouds pointed out, the wool has been treated to prevent this action. I would bet your Icebreaker top was not treated to prevent shrinking (??) but the socks are.