Socks in bamboo viscose and how they cope with washing

Short answer: Socks in bamboo viscose cope well with washing if you follow the care label and avoid too much heat. Turn them inside out and let them dry fully. Here are the simple tips that make socks last longer.

How bamboo viscose copes with washing

Bamboo viscose is a soft material, but it is more sensitive to rough treatment than ordinary cotton. If you wash gently and follow the label, the socks can last many washes. It is heat and hard drying in particular that wear the yarn and make the shape go.

The care label comes first

Always read the care label in the sock, because it depends on the fibre blend. It tells you which temperature and programme suit. If you want to see more styles, here are socks for women, where the label shows exactly what each sock is made of.

Temperature and programme

Wash at a moderate temperature and choose a gentle programme if you can. High heat can wear the yarn and make the elastic lose strength. If the socks are very dirty, you can pre-wash them by hand so you do not need to wash them hotter.

Inside out and in a laundry bag

When you turn the socks inside out, they pill less, and the surface is not rubbed by other clothes. A laundry bag stops them catching on zips and hooks. Keep them in pairs so you do not have to hunt for them afterwards.

Detergent and softener

Use a mild detergent in the amount given on the pack, because more does not make socks cleaner. Fabric softener can leave a film on the fibres, so if the label advises against it, skip it. Rinse well so no detergent stays in the sock.

Drying without wear

Let the socks air dry if you can, or use the tumble dryer on low heat if the label allows it. Hang them by the toe so the elastic is not stretched unnecessarily. Let them dry fully before they go in the drawer so they do not smell stuffy.

What to do if they pill

Pilling happens when fibres rub against each other, and it happens with most socks in time. Turn them inside out and wash gently, and it will lessen. If they pill heavily under the heel, it may be time for a new pair.

Together with the rest of the soft clothes

You can wash the socks with other soft clothes if the temperature suits. Here you can see bamboo T-shirts for women and bamboo underwear for women, which are best washed by the same principles. Avoid heavy clothes with zips in the same machine.

Frequently asked questions

Can socks in bamboo viscose be machine washed

Yes, they can usually be washed in the machine at a moderate temperature. Always follow the care label in the sock and choose a gentle programme to protect the yarn.

Can bamboo socks go in the tumble dryer

That depends on the care label in the sock. If it allows it, use low heat, and ideally let them air dry so the shape lasts longest.

Why do my socks pill

Pilling happens when fibres rub against each other. Turn the socks inside out, wash gently and avoid too much heat, and they will pill less.