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How to Wash Socks: A Complete Guide by FLAT SOCKS®

How to Wash Socks the Easy (and Right) Way

What if there was a better way, an easier way, to cut laundry time in half and take back your weekends? With FLAT SOCKS®, there is. From your favorite no hassle, no stink, and machine washable no-show socks, we’re teaching you the best tips on getting your socks clean once and for all.

What’s the best way to clean socks?

Ditching your old, sweaty, stinky pair for FLAT SOCKS barefoot inserts. Just slip them into your shoes and enjoy the freedom of going sockless with moisture wicking and odor control tech. When laundry day arrives, just toss ‘em in the washer and dry them like normal. For best results, machine wash cold with like colors and tumble dry low.

multiple shoes with FLAT SOCKS inside

How often should you wash your socks?

How much you wash your socks depends on a few factors, including how long you wear them, what activities you do, and how much your feet sweat. If you have extremely sweaty feet from hyperhidrosis, wash your socks after every wear. Washing your socks regularly helps them last longer, stay cleaner, and it’s better for your foot health.

While you don’t have to wash FLAT SOCKS every day, these no-show sock inserts are great for people who hate socks or struggle with sweaty feet. They help limit sweat and stink, so you don’t have to change into multiple pairs a day, carry backups, or risk those stained gym socks ruining your style.

Washing Machine vs Washing by Hand

dirty socks in a front loading washing machine

The easiest way to wash your socks is in a washing machine whether you are washing floral FLAT SOCKS or your cotton crew socks. You can toss them in with all your other clothes and leave the rest to the machine.

Socks made of more delicate fabrics like cashmere, Merino wool or sheer tights should be handwashed to preserve quality and keep them from falling apart. Here is a step-by-step guide to how to wash socks using both methods:

How to Wash Socks in a Washing Machine

1. Separate your socks. What happens when a white shirt pairs with a red sock? It blushes. Separate socks by color or material and wash appropriately.

2. Turn them inside out. You should wash regular socks inside out to clean the inside of germs and bacteria plus prevent lint build up.

3. Use a mesh laundry bag. A mesh garment bag keeps your socks together, so you won’t lose them. FLAT SOCKS clean best when laundered in a mesh bag.

4. Wash socks on a cool or warm cycle with mild detergent. Cooler temperatures keep your socks looking like new, so they won’t fade or shrink. Mild detergent is enough to get most socks clean.

5. Tumble dry low. Using a lower heat to dry socks maintains their quality. Socks must be completely dry before wearing them or putting them away.

How To Wash Socks by Hand

1. Fill a sink with cool water and some mild detergent. Handwashing socks, like wool socks, in cold water helps them last longer and look newer.

2. Turn the socks inside out. You should turn socks inside out when washing to get a complete clean.

3. Soak for 5 to 10 minutes and agitate by hand. Soak dirtier socks for longer, and gently swish them around with your hands to loosen dirt.

4. Rinse thoroughly with cold, running water. Rinse your socks until all the suds are gone. Avoid twisting or ringing them out afterwards.

5. Air dry or hang to dry. Hang your hand washed socks on a wash line with clothes pins or lie them flat on a towel that you can wrap up to soak up moisture.

Washing Socks by Material

Check the manufacturer’s guidelines or wash instructions to see if your socks are machine washable. All FLAT SOCKS no show socks can be washed in a washing machine, and you can find the instructions on the packaging and on our site.

Here is a quick rundown on how to wash socks by material, including how to wash compression socks, wool socks, and more:

Kid’s Socks: Trying to get your toddler’s or preteen’s socks clean? Get them a pair of FLAT SOCKS Kids, the socks kids actually want to wear. They’re machine washable, moisture wicking, and help control stink, making laundry day a breeze.
Athletic Socks: Most athletic socks are machine washable and drier safe. They’re often more durable, breathable, and ultra comfy for sweaty feet.
Cotton Blends: Socks made of cotton, cotton blends, and polyester like microfiber FLAT SOCKS are also durable and easy to wash with your clothes.
Wool: Most wool socks should be washed by hand in cold water with mild detergent or on a delicate cycle and air dried. Microwool FLAT SOCKS are a comfy alternative if you want machine washable wool socks.
Compression Socks: Most compression socks should be handwashed in cool to warm water and air dried. Do not put compression socks in the drier.
Fuzzy Socks: Use cold water and mild detergent when checking how to wash fuzzy socks. Faux fur FLAT SOCKS are machine washable and keep their softness after washing.

Girl smiling and holding boots with FLAT SOCKS inside

What temperature should you wash socks on?

The best temperature for washing socks is cold, and you can boost your clean with a cold water laundry detergent. Cooler water extends the life and appearance of your socks. Plus, it helps maintain features like FLAT SOCKS no slip grip, super soft feel, and cool patterns like animal prints, geometric shapes, and our seasonal picks.

Feet in black slip-on shoes standing beside three pair of FLAT SOCKS inserts

How to Clean White Socks

Renew your dingy, stained pairs of white socks with a few simple tricks. Depending on the material, normal white socks can be washed in warm or hot water with other whites. You can get rid of stains on socks by:

Adding a capful of non-chlorine bleach. WARNING: Never use bleach with your FLAT SOCKS. They clean up fine without it!
Using 1 cup of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of powdered dishwasher detergent. Add to your regular laundry soap to brighten up white socks.

Getting the Smell Out of Socks

Want to free yourself from the embarrassment of smelly socks and shoes? FLAT SOCKS have odor-controlling tech that absorbs stink, keeping your shoes and feet smelling fresh. You can wear them alone or with socks for complete odor protection.

Another trick? Sprinkling baking soda into your detergent helps get rid of bad smells and brighten laundry. It’s a natural antibacterial that is gentle on delicate fabrics, too.

Laundry Day Just Got Easier

If you hate laundry day as much as you hate wearing socks, FLAT SOCKS and FLAT SOCKS Kids is the simplest solution. The ultimate no show socks, FLAT SOCKS take the struggle out of laundering multiple pairs without breaking a sweat.

person placing rainbow sock insert into black shoe