Socks In the Laundry

As you do with your clothing, when washing, all socks should be separated by color. One red sock in your load of whites can quickly leave your clothes an embarrassing shade of pink.

Colored socks should be washed in warm, not hot, water to reduce bleeding.

Be especially mindful of socks that might have colored stripes with white areas as well (such as socks for a particular sporting team). You can always check labels for color fastness to ensure that no bleeding occurs during washing. If you are ever unsure or hesitant about a particular pair of socks, you may also hand wash them.

When laundering socks that contain wool, silk, spandex or elastic, avoid using chlorine bleach as this can damage the sock's fibers.

Most wool or wool blend socks can handle standard washing and drying, however, some specific types might specify hand washing so, again, always check the label.

Olefin is a special fiber that is often used in athletic sport socks such as running socks or golf socks. Olefin fibers have special properties that help in wicking away moisture and perspiration from the foot. If you have any socks that are made from 100% olefin fibers, always make sure to air dry them, as olefin tends to be very heat sensitive. If a sock is made an olefin blend, standard washing and drying at a low temperature should be fine.

Socks made of luxury fibers such as cashmere or silk should always be hand laundered in cool water and air dried.

Always check the labels of specialty athletic socks as the unique fibers of these sorts of socks may sometimes require special laundering.

To avoid missing socks, always make sure to check for any stray socks in your washer or dryer that might be sticking to the side of the machine. For extra security, you might want to safety pin or clothespin your favorite pairs of socks together before washing to avoid any mysterious disappearances.