How to wash wool socks
A photo tutorial for my dad who finally admitted that he has only worn the socks which I hand spun and knit for him two years ago ONE TIME because he doesn’t know how to wash them. At least I can be fairly certain that he hasn’t worn the heels out.
(I posted several times about his socks here, here, here, here, and here.)
Daddy, I will shame you into washing your socks if I have to.
Step One: Fill the sink with hot water.
Step Two: Add a little dish soap when the sink is almost full, so it doesn’t get too sudsy.
Step Three: Add socks, and allow to sink into water on their own.
Step Four: Gently swish and squeeze socks as needed to remove dirt. Usually just soaking is enough, unless you’ve been running around in the mud with just your socks on. (And if that’s the case, then I don’t want to know about it, because it will just make me crazy.)
Step Five: Gently squeeze out the socks, drain the sink, and refill with same temperature water.
Step Six: Allow socks to briefly soak in rinse water, swish gently to remove detergent.
Step Seven: Gently squeeze out as much water as you can. You can roll the socks up in a towel and stand on it for a few seconds to get a lot of water out.
Step Eight: Reshape and lay flat on a towel to dry.
(PS, these are the leftover yarn baby socks I mentioned in yesterday’s post.)
Oh! Should I be handwashing my wool socks? I always just throw my hand knit socks in the washing machine with other same-colored clothing. I do try to hang them to dry, though.
Where did you get the sock blockers/dryers that you show in your previous post? I like those!
“Superwash” wool is usually okay in the washing machine. As long as you’re not experiencing any shrinking or fulling, you’re good to go. I know that if the Husbandperson ever sees me machine washing wool socks, he’ll think it’s okay to machine wash ALL wool things, and then we will have to get divorced.
The sock blockers are from the thrift store, and as far as I can find, not in production any more. They’re stamped Lee-Rowan Co. You can find a pair on ebay every now and then.
I think your not supposed to wash wool in warm water or it with shrink…
Actually, the temperature of the water has nothing to do with it, unless you drastically change temperatures quickly (ie, wash in hot, rinse on cold). It’s really the agitation that will make wool felt, so be gentle. Drying wool in the dryer, however, is generally a no-no.
Thank you for the opportunity to learn how wash out my wool socks. I have tended to treat them like an old friend. To wear them once is to merely get to know them. To wear them many times is like getting together with an old friend for a cup of tea. So, I wear them many times with a few days between to allow them to freshen draped over a set of deer antlers outside the front door of the cabin.