Wool thermal socks are an ideal choice for outdoor activities, mountaineering, and daily winter wear due to their excellent thermal insulation performance and good moisture absorption and perspiration wicking ability. However, as a natural animal protein fiber, wool is soft and has a special structure. If it is not washed and maintained scientifically, it is prone to shrinkage, deformation, pilling or hardening. Correctly mastering the washing and care methods of wool thermal socks is the key to ensuring product performance and extending service life.
Choose the right washing frequency
Wool socks have natural antibacterial and deodorizing properties and do not need to be washed frequently. It is recommended to wash them after wearing them 2-3 times. If you are in a high-intensity outdoor environment or people with sweaty feet, you can adjust it appropriately. Avoid daily washing to reduce wool fiber fatigue and loss and extend the life cycle of socks.
Avoid machine washing and give priority to hand washing
Wool fibers are prone to felting reactions when exposed to heat, friction and moisture, resulting in shrinkage and deformation. Hand washing is the safest way to protect wool thermal socks. Use warm water (about 30°C or less), avoid sudden heating or alternating hot and cold water, and reduce changes in fiber structure stress. Avoid rubbing hard, and gently press to clean to maintain the fiber shape.
Use neutral detergent and avoid alkaline soaps
Wool is a natural protein structure and is easily damaged by alkaline substances. It is recommended to use special wool detergent or neutral detergent, such as wool shampoo, baby laundry detergent, etc., which does not contain enzymes, bleach and fluorescent agents. Avoid using strong alkaline laundry detergent, soap liquid, etc. to prevent fiber structure breakage and loss of gloss.
Wash separately and avoid mixing with rough clothes
Wool socks have a soft surface. If washed with jeans, zipper jackets and other clothes, it is very easy to cause pilling, drawing or hooking problems. It is recommended to wash separately from other wool products or soft underwear. Using a laundry net bag can further reduce friction damage.
Rinse with cold water and do not soak for too long
Washing and rinsing should be completed quickly during washing to avoid long-term soaking. Excessive water infiltration will cause the wool fiber to swell and release the internal structural tension, which is easy to cause shrinkage and deformation. After washing, rinse thoroughly with cold or room temperature water to ensure that the detergent is completely rinsed off to avoid residual irritation to the fibers.
Dry naturally, avoid direct sunlight or drying
After washing wool socks, do not wring them hard. It is recommended to place the socks in a dry towel and gently press to absorb water, then lay them flat to dry or hang them in a ventilated and cool place. Avoid exposure to the sun, as ultraviolet rays will break the wool protein molecules, causing the fibers to become brittle and the color to fade. It is prohibited to use a dryer or electric heater to blow directly to avoid high temperatures causing the wool to shrink or stick.
Store properly to prevent moth infestation and deformation
When storing wool socks for a long time, keep them dry and clean. You can fold the socks neatly and put them in a storage bag or drawer to avoid squeezing. It is recommended to use a breathable cotton bag instead of a sealed plastic bag to prevent moisture and mold. Before storing them during the season change, you can put in natural insect repellents such as natural mothballs, dried lavender flowers or cedar wood chips to prevent moth infestation and avoid chemical insect repellent residues that damage wool fibers.
Avoid wearing the same pair of socks frequently
Wool socks have a certain degree of elasticity and resilience, but if worn continuously for a long time, the fibers will become fatigued and difficult to recover. It is recommended to wear two to three pairs of wool socks alternately, giving each pair of socks enough "rest" time, which helps to extend the elasticity retention period of the sock opening and the sole of the foot and avoid local compression or deformation.
Be careful when dealing with pilling
Wool products may have slight pilling due to local friction during wearing, which is normal. You can use a professional pill remover or wool scraper to gently handle it. Do not pull or cut it with scissors to avoid damaging the yarn structure and causing greater damage.
Dry cleaning or bleaching is not recommended
Wool socks generally do not need to be dry cleaned. Dry cleaning solvents have a potential risk of damaging the wool fiber structure. Similarly, do not use chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach products to treat stains. It is recommended to use a wool-specific stain remover or gentle pressure cleaning method to deal with stubborn stains.
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