Kiwispondence: How to Wash Merino Wool Socks

Q: Who's the biggest killer of socks among our Merino wool-loving customers?

A: People who have someone else commercially wash their socks!

We have plenty of customers working in mining, forestry, farming and other outdoor industries where the whole kit gets washed en masse.

Unfortunately, this can involve hot water, hot dryers and a good old-fashioned "she'll be right, mate" attitude!

(I can see the horror in your eyes already!)

Natural fibre socks, particularly woollen ones, can shrink when exposed to excessive heat and agitation. And once they've shrunk, there's often no bringing them back.

Then there are those student sons of yours, living in flats down Dunedin way.

They wait until there isn't a clean sock left in the place before somebody finally tackles the washing. BOOM! Everything gets thrown into the machine, followed by a quick trip through the hot dryer.

Next thing you know, you're looking for creative new uses for what were once perfectly good socks!

So, How Do We Wash Our Merino Socks?

We asked a few members of the New Zealand Natural Clothing team a simple question:

"How do you wash and dry your favourite Merino wool socks?"

Here's what they had to say.

Phil Grant – Owner, NZNC

Washing technique:

"Cold wash cycle, cold-water washing powder in the right compartment, regular wash, rinse, spin, then onto the clothesline to dry."

Favourite all-round Merino sock:

Adventurer Merino Wool Walking Sock

Phil likes the cushioned sole and the fact that the sock isn't too bulky for most footwear.

Julie Hedley – Owner, NZNC

Washing technique:

"With everything else on a cold wash."

Favourite all-round Merino sock:

Women's Daisy Merino Wool Sock

Because she's always happy when she's wearing her Daisy socks!

Dani White – NZNC Soxpert

Washing technique:

"With everything else on a cold wash."

Favourite all-round Merino sock:

Women's Classic Merino Wool Sock

Dani loves this easy-care sock because it's affordable and fits comfortably into most of her footwear.

Kyle Grant – Student, Hamburg, Germany

Washing technique:

"In the machine on a wool cycle, then onto my clothes rack in the flat."

Favourite all-round Merino sock:

Classic Merino Wool Dress Sock

Kyle isn't a fan of thick socks, so this lightweight option suits him nicely.

Spotting a Pattern?

There's a fairly obvious theme emerging here, isn't there?

Cool water, an appropriate washing cycle, suitable detergent and good old-fashioned air-drying.

Nothing particularly complicated, and certainly no need to treat your socks like priceless family heirlooms.

Just remember that not all Merino socks are made the same. Some are machine-washable on a regular cool cycle, while others require a gentler wool cycle. Always check the care label first.

And when it comes to drying, keeping your favourite woollen socks away from excessive heat is generally a very good idea.

A Few Handy Hacks to Help Your Socks Last Longer

1. Give them an inside-out wash.

Turn your socks inside out occasionally, particularly those with cushioned terry-loop soles.

This can help remove trapped lint, loose fibres and accumulated debris from the cushioning. It won't restore worn-out fibres, but it can help keep the inside of your socks clean and comfortable.

2. Mark your territory!

Sew a small coloured identification thread near the toe or cuff of your socks.

This is particularly handy if several people in the household wear the same style, or if there's only a subtle size difference between family members.

We've come across plenty of gumboot- and work-boot-wearing families where sock ownership becomes a surprisingly serious household dispute!

A little coloured thread can save a lot of arguing.

3. Hide your socks from teenage sons!

No further explanation required.

Look After Your Socks, and They'll Look After You

Good luck with those socks!

A little care can go a long way towards keeping them comfortable, wearable and in good condition.

And if you avoid shrinking them in the first place, you won't have to start inventing alternative uses for what was once a perfectly useful pair of socks!

Have a question, a comment or perhaps a sock-washing disaster you'd care to confess?

Sock it to me!

Phil Grant
New Zealand Natural Clothing
phil@nznaturalclothing.co.nz