Socks

Socks are an essential part of the wardrobe, without which no modern person can do. They are worn every day, so they are the ones that need washing more often than other things.

Few people realize, but it is the improper treatment of socks that leads to early wear, the appearance of stubborn stains and discoloration.

To make them last longer, you need to wash them correctly. For information on how to wash socks from dirt at home (in the washing machine and by hand), read the article.

Preparing dirty items for washing

Before you start washing, your socks need to be properly prepared. Basic recommendations:

1. Sort socks by color. White, black and colored items are washed separately.
2. Remove all visible dirt from socks. This could be threads, hair and other dirt.
3. Turn the socks inside out. Sometimes it happens that small objects, pebbles and other debris get inside the product.
4. Walk over the surface of the product with a machine to remove pellets.

If there are serious stains on the socks, they need to be soaked.If machine processing is intended, then you can select a special “wash with soak” program. To enhance the effect, a stain remover is added to the powder.

Soaking items during hand washing can be done using several methods:

1. In a bowl with the selected detergent.
2. In polyethylene film. Socks are soaped and placed in a bag, leaving for 30-60 minutes.

When the preparatory activities are completed, you can begin washing the product.

How to wash in an automatic washing machine?

To prevent washing in a machine from negatively affecting the condition of your socks, you need to follow certain rules. They relate to selecting the optimal program, setting the temperature and choosing a detergent.

The general instructions are as follows:

• sort socks by color;
• clean them of debris and hair;
• turn the products inside out;
• load into the washing machine and wait until the cycle ends.

At what temperature?

The temperature you choose depends on the type of fabric the socks are made from. Most often there are no labels on them.

Manufacturers indicate washing recommendations on the label.. Therefore, before throwing it away, you need to familiarize yourself with the care tips for specific products.

Cotton, synthetic and nylon socks are washed at a temperature no higher than 50-60 degrees. Products made from delicate fabrics, such as wool or silk, are processed in thirty-degree water.

In what mode (program)?

When choosing a washing program, you need to consider the type of fabric socksIf these are classic summer or terry products, then any mode will do. The main thing is that the temperature does not exceed 60 degrees.

Which detergent should you choose?

To wash socks in a machine, use regular laundry detergent.

If items made from delicate fabrics are to be processed, it is better to use a liquid detergent. It activates at low temperatures and rinses well.

It is important to consider the color of the fabric and the type of washing powder. Do not use products containing bleaches to process colored items. It is quite applicable to white socks.

When washing by hand, use laundry or any other soap. If you have stubborn stains, you can use folk remedies.

How to do it manually?

Washing socks by hand is easy. There are 2 main methods:

1. By rubbing your palms. Socks are put on your hands, moistened, soaped and rubbed against each other.
2. In the pelvis. Detergent is diluted in it and the products are soaked. Difficult stains can be rubbed with your hands or a brush.

Read more about how to hand wash socks Here.

Folk remedies for dirt and black soles

Sometimes classic cleaning products cannot cope with heavy stains. In this case, folk methods come to the rescue. They allow you to remove blackness from the sole, stubborn stains and stains.

Turpentine

Turpentine helps get rid of gray on white socks. Apply it as follows:

1. Dilute 3 tablespoons of turpentine in 10 liters of water.
2. Add 2 tbsp to the resulting composition. l. washing powder. Shake until completely dissolved.
3. Soak socks overnight.
4. Wash and rinse the item thoroughly.

Turpentine has a pungent odor, so you need to work with it carefully, protecting your respiratory system with a mask.

Bleaching

The most accessible means for whitening socks is bleach or bleach. With its help, you can get rid of difficult stains and whiten dirt that has gotten into your soles.

Mode of application:

• dissolve 2 tbsp in 2 liters of warm water. l. whiteness, add 100 g of washing powder and mix thoroughly;
• soak the socks in the resulting solution and leave for 1-2 hours;
• manually rub areas with stubborn stains;
• Rinse the product thoroughly.

Hydrogen peroxide and ammonia

A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia has a high cleaning ability. This composition allows you to quickly get rid of difficult stains.

Mode of application:

1. For one part of ammonia take 2 parts of ammonia.
2. The resulting composition is applied to contaminated areas and left for 15-30 minutes.
3. Wash socks by hand, paying special attention to stains.
4. Rinse the item thoroughly.

When working with ammonia solution and hydrogen peroxide, you need to wear gloves in a well-ventilated area.

Processing features depending on color: white, dark, colored

On white socks dirt is more noticeable than on dark ones. Therefore, you have to wash them more often.

The fibers lose strength and holes will appear on the product faster. Therefore, preference should be given to delicate bleaches containing enzymes and active oxygen.

Examples of such means are:

1. Vanish Oxi Action Gold (the cost of 0.45 ml gel is about 145 rubles),
2. Boss Maximum (for 0.45 powder you will have to pay about 50 rubles).

Colored socks are washed separately from other items, as they tend to fade and stain light-colored fabrics.

To care for them, stain removers that do not contain a bleaching component are used.. The optimal washing temperature is 40 degrees.

Black socks are considered the easiest to care for. The stains on them are not so noticeable, so they are washed less often than white items.

However, they can only be processed with monochromatic items.. Even firmly dyed fabric causes white items to turn grey.

Read about the rules for washing white socks by hand. Here.

Nuances for different materials

Depending on the material from which the socks are made, the features of caring for them will differ. The main recommendations are presented in the table.

Socks made of delicate fabrics, such as wool, are recommended to be processed by hand.

For nail fungus

Nail fungus is a contagious disease. Microscopic particles of mycelium settle on all surfaces, including items of clothing.

To prevent the infection from spreading and leading to repeated self-infection, you need to wash your socks correctly.

Basic moments:

• When washing by hand, you need to use gloves;
• Items should be machine washed at maximum temperatures;
• It is recommended to boil socks every 3-4 washes;
• You can only load things into the washing machine that belong to a sick person.

To destroy fungal spores after washing, it is recommended to iron socks.

Read more about washing socks if you have fungus. Here.

What is possible and what is not?

To save time and washing powder, people often throw not only socks, but also other things into the washing machine drum. However, the joint processing of some wardrobe elements is unacceptable. First of all, this applies to underwear.

With T-shirts

You can wash socks with T-shirts. However, you need to take into account the manufacturer's recommendations that are indicated on them. It is important that the products are the same color and from similar fabrics.

With panties

It is not recommended to wash socks with underwear. There is only one reason - hygiene standards. Socks come into contact not only with a person’s foot, but also with the floor covering and the inside of the shoe.

Therefore, not only dirt can settle on them, but also various bacteria, which, during washing at low temperatures, can move to the laundry and then to the intimate area.

If lace underwear is washed in a machine, then choose the delicate cycle. It won't fit most socks. They require more intensive processing. Under no circumstances should children's underpants and socks be washed at the same time.

Is it possible and how to properly wash socks and panties together in a washing machine? Read Here.

With shirts

Shirts are washed either by hand or on a delicate cycle. Other programs may cause damage to the product.

If there are socks in the laundry basket that are the same color as the shirts and also require careful handling, then washing them together is acceptable.

With towels

Many housewives wash socks with kitchen towels. The main thing is that the products do not stain each other.. As for personal towels, it is not recommended to load them into the drum together with socks for hygienic reasons.

Socks are worn on your feet, so a wide variety of germs can settle on them. A towel is a personal hygiene item that is used for the face, body, and intimate area.

Laundry bag

A bag for washing socks is a mesh product that is secured with laces or a zipper.

Its use allows you to solve several problems at once:

1. Avoid socks getting tangled if they are loaded in large quantities at once or with other underwear.
2. Extend the service life of the product. The mesh will be subject to friction against the drum of the washing machine, not the socks themselves.
3. Do not harm the quality of the socks during spinning.

There are several types of bags. Small cases hold up to 2 pairs of socks. The cost of such a bag from the Nyusha company is 270 rubles.

You can also find large nets on sale, divided by partitions into 3 sections.. For example, a product from Artmoon (250 rubles per piece). You can purchase mesh in hardware stores and online markets.

How to dry quickly at home?

You need to dry your socks naturally. If washing was carried out with a spin cycle, the products will dry completely in 3-4 hours. You can speed up this process by using an iron by ironing the pair from the wrong side several times. The steam function must be turned off.

Special drying conditions are required only for woolen products. They are washed without spinning, after which they are laid out on a wire rack in a horizontal position. If you hang them, they may lose their shape.

Important Tips

To wash your socks without making them unusable, The following recommendations must be followed:

1. Socks are turned inside out before washing. This will allow you to maintain their attractive appearance for a long time.
2. When washing socks with other items at the same time, you need to take into account the recommendations that apply to all products.
3. When loading a large number of pairs, you need to use a special mesh.

White socks should be washed after each wear. This will prevent dirt from penetrating deep into the fabric. Bleach can be used periodically.

You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products Here.

Conclusion

Washing socks contains a number of secrets that everyone should know. Some products can only be processed by hand, others can be loaded into the machine. The main thing is to follow the manufacturer's recommendations and not wash white and colored pairs together.