If you’ve been dutifully turning your socks the right way around before tossing them in the washing machine – think again.
It’s instinctive to turn socks out the right way before washing, particularly if there’s visible dark marks along the underside.
But a laundry expert explained that this is in fact the opposite of what you need to do to achieve the best possible clean.
According to a washing product scientist, the correct way to wash socks is to first turn them ‘inside out’.
‘To achieve optimal cleaning, turn your socks inside out before washing,’ Sara Shorter, a Research and Development Product Scientist at Unilever, told the Daily Mail.
The cleaning expert, who works with brands like OMO, Surf and Comfort said there are two main reasons why socks will benefit from being washed this way.
From a hygiene perspective, Sara explained that ‘washing socks inside out enables dead skin and bacteria to be removed more effectively’.
The second reason relates to maintaining their condition in the long term.
Contrary to instinct, the correct way to wash socks is inside out. Sara Shorter, a Research & Development Product Scientist at Unilever, explained that this was the correct method ‘to achieve optimal cleaning’ of your socks
If socks are visibly dark and dirty on the sole and heel, Sara suggested the additional pre-wash step of ‘applying some laundry liquid directly to the stain before turning inside out and washing’
‘Washing inside out keeps your socks looking newer for longer by reducing friction on the outside of the socks, which helps to maintain patterns and colours,’ Sara said.
However, if socks are visibly dark and dirty on the sole and heel, the expert suggested an additional pre-wash step as the best method to refresh them.
‘If socks are stained, apply some laundry liquid directly to the stain before turning inside out and washing,’ Sara recommended.
Using a ‘good quality detergent’ in your washing machine is also a must according to the cleaning product formulator.
And if you’re serious about preserving the lifespan of your socks, Sara also suggests avoiding warm water and switching to a cold water washing powder because this better ‘preserves the fabric and elasticity of the socks’.
In addition to following the inside-out washing technique, the way you dry your socks can also impact their longevity.
Sara recommends ‘hanging your socks to dry instead of using a dryer’ – and as with washing, they should be inside out.
‘Line drying helps to maintain shape and elasticity,’ she explained.
To preserve the longevity of your socks, the clothes washing expert recommended washing in a cold cycle and hanging socks out to air dry
However, the product scientist also suggested being mindful of limiting your socks’ exposure to direct sunlight ‘because the UV in sunlight can break down the elastane in socks’.
‘No one wants saggy socks,’ she added.
Sara also confirmed that ‘socks should be washed after every wear’.
‘Frequent washing is important because feet sweat. Damp, dirty socks can lead to fungal infections or offensive odours.’
By contrast, a separate laundry expert recently told Daily Mail that towels might not need to be washed quite as often as most people think.
A report earlier this year saw a spokesperson from UK expert testing and review site Which? recommend that towels should be washed around ‘once a week’ – depending on their level of usage.
‘You might find yourself wondering how often you really need to wash your towels, but the answer depends on your household setup, and how you look after them,’ the consumer watch group spokesperson explained.
The Which? expert suggested that ‘around once a week, especially for hand towels,’ was the ideal amount of washes.
Furthermore, if towels have become crispy and scratchy over time, the consumer group spokesperson offered a solution that could return them to their original, fluffy state.
‘Try soaking them in a mix of water and white vinegar (one cup of vinegar to four cups of water is a good general guide),’ the Which? spokesperson advised.
‘Then rinse off the vinegar and machine wash at 40°C rather than 60°C, making sure the load is no more than three-quarters full to ensure room for the towels to move around.’
