After just a few months of wearing, socks can become worn out and are no longer as comfortable as when you first put them on. That’s why in this article, I’ll show you how to take care of your socks so that they last longer. And are still as comfortable after a few months as they were the first time.
Here are nine ways to make your socks last longer:
- Wash socks in cold water,
- Do not tumble dry your socks but hang them on a wire,
- Take care of your feet (clip nails and remove hard skin),
- Buy good quality socks,
- Don’t walk in socks at home,
- Replace damaged shoes,
- Have socks for every occasion (leisure, work, sport),
- Choose the right size of socks,
- Socks should not be too thin.
How do you make socks last longer?
If you want your socks to last longer, you must look after them. But don’t worry. Socks don’t need much attention. You need to know what’s best for them and the biggest causes of sock damage.
Let’s look at the first example:
Wash socks in cold water
Hot water is one of the biggest reasons why socks don’t last long and why they can become uncomfortable after just a few washes. There are a lot of elastic fibers in the socks that allow the sock to grip the foot well. These fibers are quickly damaged if they are washed at high temperatures.
You can wash socks in a washing machine, but wash them in cold water (20-30 °C). Many washing machines have a hand wash program, so choose this program when washing socks. You can also wash other underwear (underwear, undershirts, bras) with your socks.
You will further protect your socks by turning them inside out before washing them. This will protect the outer fibers and keep the sock looking nice for longer.
You can also wash socks with other clothes. To avoid the socks getting too mixed up with other clothes, you can wash them in a laundry bag. This will protect your socks and make them easier to find when you take them out of the washing machine.
Do not tumble-dry your socks
As I mentioned before, heat is one of the biggest enemies of the durability of socks. Therefore, it is not recommended to dry socks in a tumble dryer. Drying socks in a tumble dryer will destroy the elastic fibers, making the socks no longer elastic and comfortable. Also, the socks may shrink and will no longer fit you well.
After washing, hang the socks on a rack to dry in the fresh air. This way, your socks will last longer and still be very comfortable.
Take care of your feet
When we walk, our foot is constantly rubbing against the shoe. That’s why we wear socks to protect our feet from rubbing and avoid problems such as blisters, bacteria build-up, and fungal infections.
Socks play an important role in the health of our feet. Because they are in direct contact with the feet, our feet can be one of the reasons why socks don’t last long. If we have too long nails or a lot of hard skin, this can damage the socks.
Long nails and hard skin are two hard surfaces that can easily damage socks after prolonged wear. So make sure you cut your nails regularly and that you don’t have too much hard skin on your feet. For the latter, I advise you to visit a pedicurist who will remove the hard skin and advise you on how to take care of it.
If you don’t have a lot of hard skin, you can also take care of it yourself. You can see the two-step procedure here.
Buy good quality socks
You can avoid many problems with bad socks from the start when you buy socks. Instead of buying the cheapest pair of socks, look at what materials the sock is made of. I promise you, you won’t have to dig too deep into your pockets for that.
If you buy the cheapest socks, you are most likely to buy socks with a high proportion of polyester. Polyester is not the best material for everyday socks, but it is good for sports socks. Polyester does not absorb sweat, so sweat builds up on the skin, which increases perspiration.
When you are buying socks that you will wear every day. Choose socks with at least 70% natural materials (cotton, bamboo, wool). Cotton socks are the most common. However, if you are willing to spend a little more money, I advise you to buy bamboo socks because, unlike cotton, they dry faster.
But, cotton socks will be enough and will last longer than polyester socks if you follow all the tips I will give you in this post.
You can read the full comparison of polyester and cotton socks here.
Don’t walk in socks at home
As I mentioned, with feet, socks wear out more quickly if they are constantly rubbed on a hard surface. So I advise you not to walk in socks at home and instead wear slippers. This will make you more comfortable and protect your socks more.
Replace damaged shoes
Damaged shoes are also a danger to socks. Shoes may look good on the outside but can be damaged on the inside, which is dangerous for your feet and your socks.
Walking in shoes that are damaged on the inside is not good for the health of your feet. It can make you walk differently, which is unhealthy and can cause you to get hard skin from rubbing. As a result, the socks are also destroyed.
If you don’t feel comfortable in your shoes, it’s time to exchange them for a new pair. This is where it pays to invest in better quality shoes that will last longer and positively affect your feet.
Have socks for every occasion
The more times you wear socks, the faster they will wear out. This is logical. But not all socks are suitable for all activities. However, some people still wear the same socks for different activities (for home, work, and sports).
It is recommended that for each activity, you wear the socks that are most suitable for that activity.
- For home, wear socks with a high proportion of natural materials (at least 70%).
- For work, wear dress socks if you have to wear a suit at work.
- For sports, wear sports socks that are suitable for the sport (running socks for running, basketball socks for basketball, and hiking socks for hiking).
Wearing socks that are suitable for the activity will make you feel better. And other socks will last longer.
Choose the right size of socks
The size of the sock can also affect how long it lasts. It is not a good idea to wear socks that are too small or too big.
It is, therefore, a good idea to know which size socks you should wear. I suggest you read this short but comprehensive guide on choosing the right sock size. You can find it here.
Socks should not be too thin
If the socks are too thin, they will last less time because they will tear faster. It is common for thin socks to develop holes. You can avoid holes by wearing cushioned socks.
Cushioned socks are thicker and also more comfortable, and will last longer. Thicker socks are also more comfortable to wear because they absorb more sweat, so the foot stays dry for longer.
How do you make socks last longer? – Conclusion
Socks will last longer if:
- You will not wash them in hot water, and you will not dry them in the tumble dryer.
- Socks are quickly destroyed if you expose them to hard and uneven surfaces such as too-long nails, hard skin, damaged shoes, or the apartment floor.
- You can do the most for the durability of socks if you buy quality socks that are made from natural materials.
- Have socks for different activities (socks for home, work, and sports).
In this way, quality socks should last at least 12 months.