The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your Premium Socks

Why Proper Sock Care Matters

When you invest in premium socks, you want them to last. The right care routine can extend the life of your socks by years, maintaining their softness, shape, and colour. Here's everything you need to know about caring for your Noblesocks.

Washing Your Socks

Temperature Matters

Always wash your socks in cold or lukewarm water (30°C or below). Hot water can:

Shrink natural fibres like merino wool

Break down elastic over time

Cause colours to fade

Turn Them Inside Out

Before washing, turn your socks inside out. This helps:

Clean the area that touches your skin more effectively

Protect the outer surface from abrasion

Preserve any patterns or designs

Use a Gentle Detergent

Opt for a mild, pH-neutral detergent. Avoid:

Fabric softeners (they coat fibres and reduce breathability)

Bleach (damages fibres and colours)

Harsh chemicals

Machine vs Hand Washing

Machine washing: Use a mesh laundry bag to prevent stretching and tangling. Select a gentle or delicate cycle.

Hand washing: Ideal for premium materials like cashmere. Gently agitate in cool water with mild soap, then rinse thoroughly.

!Woollen socks hung on a clothesline, drying in the sun Air drying is always the safest method for premium wool socks

Drying Your Socks

Air Dry is Best

Lay your socks flat or hang them to dry naturally. Never:

Put them in the tumble dryer (high heat damages elasticity)

Wring them out (stretches the fabric)

Dry them on direct heat sources

Reshape While Damp

Gently reshape your socks while they're still damp to maintain their original form.

Storage Tips

Keep Them Paired

Store socks in pairs to make finding matches easy. Avoid:

Balling socks together (stretches the cuff)

Overstuffing drawers (causes creasing)

Cool, Dry Place

Store in a cool, dry drawer away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

Rotate Your Collection

Don't wear the same pair every day. Rotating between several pairs allows the elastic to recover between wears.

Special Care for Different Materials

Merino Wool

Wool naturally resists odours, so you can wear them multiple times between washes

Use wool-specific detergent if available

Never hang dry (lay flat to prevent stretching)

Cashmere Blend

Hand wash only recommended

Use cool water and cashmere-specific wash

Press water out gently with a towel, never wring

How to Wash Cashmere Socks

Cashmere requires extra care to maintain its luxurious softness. Follow these steps for best results:

Temperature Is Critical

Always use cold water (never above 30°C). Hot water will shrink and felt cashmere fibres, permanently damaging their structure.

Hand Washing Steps

Fill a basin with cold water and add a small amount of cashmere-specific or mild wool detergent

Turn socks inside out and submerge them

Gently agitate for 1-2 minutes—never rub or twist

Rinse thoroughly in cold water until soap-free

Machine Washing (If Necessary)

If you must machine wash:

Use a mesh laundry bag

Select the delicate/wool cycle with cold water

Use wool-specific detergent only

Never spin above 600 RPM

Drying Cashmere

Never wring—gently press water out with a clean towel

Lay flat on a dry towel and reshape while damp

Keep away from direct heat and sunlight

Never tumble dry or hang (causes stretching)

Storage Tips

Store folded (never hang)

Use cedar blocks to repel moths

Ensure socks are completely dry before storing

Keep in a breathable container away from moisture

Cotton

Most durable and easy to care for

Can handle slightly warmer water

Still avoid high heat drying

How Often Should You Replace Your Socks?

General Guidelines

With proper care, premium natural fibre socks last significantly longer than cheap alternatives:

Sock TypeExpected LifespanWith Heavy Use

Premium Merino1-2 years6-12 months Cashmere Blend2-3 years1-2 years Alpaca Wool2-4 years1-2 years Cotton (basic)3-6 months1-3 months

Signs It's Time for New Socks

Even with perfect care, socks eventually wear out. Replace when you notice:

• Thinning fabric – especially in the heel and toe area
• Loose elastic – when socks won't stay up or the cuff stretches
• Holes or significant pilling – beyond normal wear
• Loss of cushioning – when soles feel thin and compressed
• Persistent odour – even after washing (indicates fibre breakdown)

Why Premium Socks Are Worth the Investment

While premium socks cost more upfront, the cost-per-wear tells a different story. A £30 pair of alpaca socks lasting 3 years costs £0.03 per wear. A £5 pack of cotton socks lasting 6 months costs £0.03 per wear—but with far less comfort and far more waste.

Quality socks are an investment in foot health and sustainability.

Conclusion

Taking care of your premium socks isn't difficult—it just requires a little attention to detail. Follow these guidelines, and your Noblesocks will keep your feet comfortable and stylish for years to come.

Have questions about caring for your socks? Contact our team for personalised advice.