How to wash and care for wool socks: make them last longer

Wool socks are best washed as little as possible. Often, simply airing them out is enough. If they do need washing, wash them by hand in cold water whenever possible, or always use a dedicated wool cycle in the washing machine. Afterwards, lay your wool socks flat to dry and never put them in the tumble dryer.

With the right care, a good pair of wool socks can last a long time. Wool is breathable, insulating and excellent at regulating moisture, but as a natural material it needs to be treated differently from cotton or synthetic fibres.

At Skéépe, we work with sheep's wool every day. Drawing on our experience with wool, we'll explain the best way to wash, dry and care for wool socks, as well as how to prevent unnecessary wear.

What is the best way to wash wool socks?

Wool socks are best washed by hand in cold water. This is the gentlest way to clean wool because the fibres are subjected to very little movement.

Prefer to wash your socks in the washing machine? You can, but always use a dedicated wool cycle. Wash them cold whenever possible and never above 30°C. A regular washing cycle is not suitable for wool, even when you select a low temperature.

Use a detergent suitable for wool and don't wring out your socks after washing. Instead, gently press out the excess water.

Why do wool socks shrink in the wash? It's not just the temperature!

It's often assumed that wool socks shrink mainly because the water is too warm. That's not quite right. With wool, movement and friction play a particularly important role, as they can cause the wool to felt.

The surface of a wool fibre is covered in tiny scales. The combination of moisture, movement and friction can cause these scales to increasingly interlock. The wool then felts and becomes more compact, which can make the sock smaller and stiffer.

That's exactly why a wool cycle is so important. The drum moves much more gently than it does during a regular washing programme.

Our advice is simple: wash wool socks cold whenever possible and always use the wool cycle when washing them in a machine.

How often should you wash wool socks?

Much less often than regular socks.

Wool naturally has dirt-repellent properties and doesn't retain odours as quickly. It can also absorb and release moisture. This means there's no need to automatically wash your wool socks after every wear.

Simply let them air thoroughly after wearing them. Often, that's enough to wear them again.

Washing less frequently is also better for the lifespan of your socks. After all, every wash puts some strain on the wool fibres. The less often you wash your wool socks, the longer they will generally stay in good condition.

What is the best way to dry wool socks?

After washing, it's best to lay wool socks flat to dry. Gently reshape them and place them on a dry towel, for example.

Never put wool socks in the tumble dryer. Again, heat isn't the only issue. The constant tumbling creates movement and friction, which can cause the wool to felt.

Why do wool socks wear out?

Wool is a remarkable natural material. It keeps you warm, breathes and regulates moisture, but natural wool fibres aren't as resistant to wear as many synthetic fibres. The heels and toes in particular have to withstand a lot of friction while walking. With every step, friction occurs between your foot, your sock and your shoe.

At Skéépe, we take this into account when our wool socks are made. Our socks contain no less than 85% wool. For us, this is the ideal balance between using as much natural wool as possible and creating a durable product. We also add an extra reinforcing thread at the heels and toes, making the areas that experience the most wear stronger and more resistant to friction.

This allows us to maintain a high percentage of natural wool while creating socks that are made to last.

How to make wool socks last longer

Washing your socks correctly is important, but there are also several things you can do while wearing them to reduce unnecessary wear:

• Only wash wool socks when they really need it and air them thoroughly between wears.
• Wash them by hand whenever possible or use the wool cycle.
• Wash cold and use a detergent suitable for wool.
• Never put wool socks in the tumble dryer; lay them flat to dry instead.
• Avoid walking around the house in just your socks. Friction against floors and carpets causes additional wear.
• Wear the correct shoe size. Shoes that are too loose create extra friction.
• Keep your toenails short and smooth so that sharp edges don't damage the wool.
• Repair a thin area or small hole before it gets any bigger.

A hole in your wool sock? Simply darn it

Even high-quality wool socks can eventually develop a thin area or small hole after being worn many times. Fortunately, that doesn't mean the sock needs to be thrown away.

Wool socks are very easy to darn and repair. Using darning wool, a needle and, if you like, a wooden darning mushroom, you can reinforce a thin area or repair a small hole. It's best to do this as soon as you notice the first signs of wear. After all, a small hole is much easier to repair than a large one.

It's a traditional way of making clothes last longer, but in our view, it's a habit that fits perfectly with the way we want to live today.

Good wool care starts with understanding what wool needs

Wool socks don't actually require a lot of maintenance. What matters most is giving them the right care.

Don't wash them more often than necessary, air them regularly, avoid unnecessary friction during washing and let them dry gently while lying flat. This gives the wool fibres the best chance of staying in good condition for as long as possible.

At Skéépe, we work with wool sourced directly from sheep farmers on Texel. We deliberately choose a high percentage of wool in our socks and reinforce them in the areas where it's needed most.

For us, a high-quality wool sock shouldn't just feel warm and comfortable. Most importantly, it should be something you can enjoy for as long as possible.