Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using the washing machine
• Method 2 of 3: Hand wash socks
• Method 3 of 3: Dry the socks and put them away

There are many different ways to wash your socks, but some are better than others. Turn them inside out if you want to wash them in the washing machine and on a delicate wash cycle. If you prefer to wash them by hand, swirl them in soapy water and let them soak. Hang up your socks after washing to avoid damaging them.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using the washing machine

1. Separate the socks by color. Divide the socks into two loads: white and colored. This keeps your socks looking radiant and prevents the colors from bleeding.
   • If you're washing both dress socks and sports socks, consider separating them as well. For example, you can have the following different loads: colored socks, colored sports socks, white socks, and white sports socks. You can also separate socks by material. For example, consider washing wool socks separately from cotton and cotton blend socks.
   • If you only need to wash a pair of white sports socks, wash them together with the white towels you have.
2. Use stain removers to get stains out. There are many products on the market, such as Vanish, that are intended to remove stains. Buy a stain remover and follow the directions on the bottle. For some, you have to soak the socks in, and for others, it is recommended that you apply them directly to the stains.
   • Mix a scoop of Oxiclean powder in 4 liters of warm water and soak the dirty socks in this for a few hours, or overnight for tougher stains. Then wash the dirty socks.
3. Remove stains with home remedies. There are also many home remedies you can try to get rid of different types of stains. Before washing, try sprinkling salt on red wine stains or spraying hairspray on ink stains.
   • Make your own generic stain remover by mixing a 1: 2 ratio of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide.
4. Turn the socks inside out. This allows the socks to be washed as thoroughly as possible, as the odor-causing bacteria are usually located inside the sock. This also helps to minimize lint build-up.
5. Secure each pair of socks with a clothespin. If you often have loose socks, consider securing each pair together with a clothespin before putting them in the washing machine. This way they stay paired during the washing process and are easier to store afterwards.
6. Wash the socks on the delicate wash program with cold water and mild detergent. Load the washing machine with dirty socks. Set the machine to delicate wash, press start and pour in a delicates detergent to prevent fading, stretching and other types of wear.
7. Turn the socks right side out. Remove the socks from the washing machine. Pull the sock through itself again and gently straighten it so that the inside is back on the inside. Do this carefully to prevent the fabric from stretching.

Method 2 of 3: Hand wash socks

1. Sort the socks. Divide the socks into two stacks: colored socks and white socks. Wash the stacks separately so that the colors don't run off into the white socks. This will also help keep the colored socks from fading.
   • If you wash both sports socks and smart socks, you may also want to keep them separate to prevent damage.
2. Remove any stains with removers or home remedies. Buy a stain remover and follow the directions on the bottle, whether instructed to soak the socks or apply the stain remover directly to the stain. You can also try removing stains using various home remedies. For example, apply hot vinegar to grass stains.
3. Fill the sink with cold, soapy water. Close the sink drain and fill the sink with cold water from the tap. Warm water can cause the colors to run and the socks to shrink. While filling the sink, pour a little mild detergent into the water. If you don't have detergent, use a little washing-up liquid.
   • If you have to wash a lot of socks, use a bathtub instead of a sink.
4. Turn the socks inside out. The inside of the sock is the part that needs to be cleaned most thoroughly. Keeping the socks inside out while you wash them by hand will help remove as many odor-causing bacteria as possible.
5. Spin the socks in the water. Run the socks through the water with your hands to loosen the dirt and provide a more thorough cleaning. Do not scrub or wring the socks, as this can stretch and damage the fabric.
6. Let the socks soak for five minutes. Let the socks sit for at least five minutes so that they can soak in the soapy water. With very dirty socks, let the water rinse away and fill the sink again with soapy water. Then leave the socks submerged in the soapy water for 10 to 30 minutes.
7. Rinse the socks. Remove the drain plug and let the dirty water run out. Then turn on the cold tap, hold the socks under the tap and rinse out all the soap.
8. Turn the socks right side out. Turn the fabric back as it was initially when the sock was clean. Be careful not to stretch the sock while doing this.

Method 3 of 3: Dry the socks and put them away

1. Roll the socks in a towel and squeeze out the water. Lay the socks flat on a towel, roll the towel up tightly and squeeze out the water by pressing on it. Do this before hanging the socks to speed up the drying process.
   • Do not wring out the socks, this can stretch and damage the fabric.
2. Hang the socks to dry. The best way to dry your socks is to hang them on a clothes rack or a clothesline. Drying them in the dryer can affect their elasticity and / or weaken the fibers of the fabric.
3. Dry them on the gentle setting in the dryer if you are in a hurry. If you can't wait for the socks to air dry, put them on a gentle tumble-dryer so they are less likely to get damaged. This setting is for fine laundry such as lingerie and sportswear, so it should be the least aggressive to your socks.
4. Fold the pairs together and put them away. Fold or roll each pair of socks together so that none of them get lost or separated. Keep the socks organized in a drawer designed for socks only.