Here you are with a brand new pair of darn tough socks and you’re left wondering, what’s the best way to wash them? There are a few things that you should avoid doing if you want to keep your socks in great condition and feeling new.
How Do You Wash Darn Tough Socks? Darn Tough socks are best cleaned by machine washing them in warm water on a gentle cycle. Because the socks are made of merino wool, it is recommended to turn the socks inside-out while in the washing machine. After washing, you should tumble dry the socks on low. To prevent any damage you should never dry clean or bleach your Darn Tough socks.
How Often Do You Wash Darn Tough Socks?
If you’ve ever had problems with odor or sweaty feet, you might be used to washing your socks very frequently. One of the great things about darn tough socks is that they work exceptionally well at keeping your feet cool and dry.
I’ve been out hiking during the middle of the summer for an entire day, and never felt uncomfortable from wet feet. That’s a benefit that I haven’t been able to find with any other pair of socks.
Because of this, you can usually get away with wearing the socks for a couple of days before having to wash them. The material that they are made of, Merino wool, has built-in odor prevention.
The fibers in the wool absorb odor, moisture, and bacteria, which keeps them fresh for longer. The socks will also dry very quickly if you ever get them wet out on the trail.
Often times we try to pack the least that we can get away with while backpacking or hiking, especially on longer trips. If you’re out camping you might not want your clothes to take up the majority of your pack.
Socks might not take up that much room compared to other items, but imagine if it was one less thing to worry about. You could throw a couple of pairs in your bag and get through an entire weekend of being active while having cool and dry feet!
Do Darn Tough Socks Shrink?
You can prevent shrinking with your Darn Tough socks if you follow the cleaning guidelines and avoid dry cleaning. It is recommended to tumble dry the socks on low to keep the wool material from shrinking.
How important are the washing guidelines? If you want to extend the life of your socks and keep them from getting too tight, it’s very important to pay attention to how you clean them.
According to Darn Tough, the socks come preshrunk and snug to your feet based on their sizing guides. If you ordered the correct size that means the socks are already as tight as they should ever be. Having them shrink to one size below what you wear could make them uncomfortable to wear.
One tip if you want to prevent them from shrinking is to hang them up to air-dry after putting them through the washer. These socks also have the benefit of odor protection, so you could get away with not washing them after every use.
If that’s too much to worry about, you can always order a pair that’s one size too large. This way you can wash and dry them the same way you would any other clothes, and after a few times in the dryer, they should fit perfectly!
Can Darn Tough Socks Go In The Dryer?
Darn Tough socks should be tumble dried on a low setting. It is recommended to avoid dry cleaning and instead use a dryer or air-dry the socks to prevent shrinkage in the wool material.
You can definitely use the dryer but remember these socks already come pretty snug, so make sure you don’t use higher temperatures while drying. The Darn Tough FAQ has this to say about the sizing guide and style of the socks,
Our socks are preshrunk. They are a snug fit and should be fitted according to your shoe size. You can find our sizing guides on each sock page.
Summary
There are three important directions that you need to follow when washing Darn Tough socks.
- Turn the socks inside-out
- Machine wash in warm water on gentle cycle
- Tumble dry on low
If you avoid dry cleaning and stick to these three steps you shouldn’t have any problems with your socks shrinking or wearing down. The Merino wool material that they are made of is long-lasting and perfect for daily use.
Even if something happens and they do wear down, you can always get another warranty replacement pair!
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