I was surprised the first time I experienced my wool socks shrinking in the wash. I had followed the care instructions on the label, but they still came out of the dryer a few inches shorter than when I put them in. If you’ve had a similar experience, don’t worry – you’re not alone.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why wool socks shrink and offer five tips to prevent it from happening.
Do Wool Socks Shrink?
On average, wool socks will shrink between 5% and 10% after the first wash. Socks with a wool content of 80% or higher can shrink even more than that. However, there are steps you can take to prevent your wool socks from shrinking.
5 Tips to Prevent Wool Socks from Shrinking!
Now that you know why wool socks shrink and the factors that contribute to it, it’s time to learn how you can prevent your favorite pair from shrinking.
Below are five effective ways to reduce or eliminate the amount of shrinkage in your wool socks:
1. Wash by hand!
Hand washing is an excellent way to extend the life of your wool socks. Most hand washes will leave your socks looking like new, with no shrinkage. Plus, this method is perfect for removing stains and odors.
2. Spin cycle!
One way to reduce the amount of shrinkage in wool socks is to use a clothes dryer or spin dryer after washing them. The spinning process that’s used in these appliances helps remove the majority of water from your socks, without causing shrinkage.
3. Dry on low!
It’s important to dry your wool socks on a low setting in order to avoid shrinkage. If you put them in the dryer on high heat, there is a chance that they will end up smaller than they were when you first bought them.
4. Don’t use heat!
In addition to using low heat when drying your wool socks, it’s best to avoid heating your wool socks in the dryer altogether. The reason is that the high temperatures found in most clothes dryers can shrink even more than 10%. This applies to both line and machine drying.
5. Read the tags!
Finally, make sure you read the care instructions on your wool socks before you wash them. Some types of wool socks are machine washable while others should be hand washed.
Why Do Wool Socks Shrink?
Heat and agitation are the main reasons wool socks will shrink. Washing them in hot water or putting them in the dryer will cause your socks to shrink. That’s why you should only wash your wool socks in cool or warm water. Line drying them, rather than using a dryer, is also recommended.
How Do You Shrink Wool Socks?
Wool socks require heat and friction to begin the shrinking process. The best way to shrink them is to wash them in very hot water the first time or before you wear them. You can also put them in a dryer on high heat afterward for even more shrinkage.
Does Wool Keep Shrinking?
Wool will go through most of its shrinking the first time it is subjected to heat and friction. However, the shrinking process will diminish after each subsequent laundering. This is because the fibers are breaking down less with every washing, so they don’t pull back as much. Wool can actually be stretched out even more after being shrunk!
Can Wool Socks be Unshrunk?
In most cases, yes. The easiest way to stretch your wool socks back to their original size is by hand washing them and then line drying them. However, if you’re not sure how much shrinkage they will go through the first time around, it’s best to repeat the aforementioned steps until they have been stretched out as much as possible.
Why Don’t They Pre-shrink Wool?
Pure and natural wool will continue to shrink even after the first wash. So even if companies pre-shrunk their wool socks, they would shrink even more afterward across all subsequent washes.
Final Thoughts
By taking the proper steps when laundering your wool socks, it’s possible to prevent shrinkage.
If you’re still worried about whether or not your wool socks will shrink, follow these tips and tricks. By following our advice, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect pair of wool socks that fit just right!
