When you finally find socks that actually feel good – soft, non-restrictive, and supportive – the last thing you want is for them to lose their shape after a few washes. That’s especially true if you live with diabetes or circulation issues and rely on your socks for daily comfort and protection.
At HUGMYFEET™, our compression and diabetic socks are designed to support healthy blood flow, reduce irritation, and keep your feet as cosy as possible. With the right care routine, you can help them stay stretchy, comfy, and effective for much longer.
The good news? You don’t need anything fancy. A few simple laundry and storage habits can make a huge difference in how long your socks last and how well they perform.
Why Proper Sock Care Really Matters
Compression and diabetic socks aren’t like regular fashion socks; you just cannot throw them in with jeans and towels.They use specialised fibres and knitting techniques to:
- Provide gentle, even compression to support circulation
- Avoid tight, digging cuffs that restrict blood flow
- Minimise seams and friction that can cause blisters or skin breakdown
- Help wick away moisture to keep feet drier and more comfortable
High heat, harsh detergents, and rough washing cycles can damage these fibres, flatten the cushioning, and weaken the stretch. Over time, that means:
- Less effective compression
- Socks that slide down or feel “baggy”
- Fabrics that feel rougher or more irritating on the skin
For people with diabetes, clean and well-maintained socks are even more important. Worn-out or dirty socks can trap moisture and bacteria, increasing the risk of fungal infections, irritation, or small wounds on already vulnerable feet.
Looking after your socks is really part of looking after your feet.
Before You Wash: Little Habits That Protect Your Socks
1. Check the Care Label
Always start with the care label on your HUGMYFEET™ socks. Different yarn blends sometimes have slightly different recommendations, especially for washing temperature and drying. Those tiny symbols are basically instructions for keeping your socks comfortable for as long as possible.
2. Inspect for Damage
Before tossing socks in the wash, quickly check for:
- Thinning at the heel or toe
- Loose threads or snags
- Small holes or worn patches
If a pair is badly worn, it’s better to retire it instead of washing and wearing again, especially if you have reduced sensation in your feet and may not feel rubbing or pressure properly.
3. Sort by Type and Colour
Whenever possible, sort your laundry so that:
- Compression socks are washed together
- Diabetic socks are washed together
- Dark socks go with darks, light socks with lights
This helps prevent colour transfer and reduces friction from heavy garments like jeans, zippers, or towels rubbing against the more delicate knit of your socks.
4. Turn Socks Inside Out
Turning socks inside out helps the detergent reach the areas that collect the most sweat, skin, and bacteria, mainly the inside of the foot and toe sections. It also helps the outside of the sock look fresher and newer for longer.
5. Use a Mesh Laundry Bag (Optional, But Helpful)
Placing socks in a mesh laundry bag:
- Stops them from getting lost in the wash
- Reduces snagging on the drum or other clothing
- Helps them keep their shape and stretch
This is especially useful for diabetic socks, which are often softer and more delicate.
How to Wash Compression & Diabetic Socks
1. Choose the Right Water Temperature
For most compression and diabetic socks, cool to warm water is ideal – not hot.
Try to stick to:
- Around 30–40°C (86–104°F)
- Avoid very hot washes
Hot water can weaken elastic fibres, shrink the fabric, and gradually reduce the compression effect. Cooler water is gentler on both the fabric and the colors, especially for patterned or darker socks.
2. Pick a Mild Detergent
Choose a gentle detergent and avoid:
- Bleach
- Fabric softener
- Strong optical brighteners
- Very heavily fragranced products
Harsh chemicals and softeners can damage or coat the fibres and affect how well your socks stretch, breathe, and wick away moisture. If you have sensitive skin or diabetes-related skin issues, a fragrance-free or hypoallergenic detergent is often a good idea.
3. Use a Gentle Cycle (or Hand Wash)
You have two good options:
Machine Wash – Gentle Cycle
- Turn socks inside out
- Place them in a mesh laundry bag if possible
- Use a delicate or gentle cycle
- Choose cool to warm water
- Avoid very high spin speeds
A gentle cycle reduces pulling and twisting of the fabric and helps preserve both shape and compression.
Hand Wash – Extra Kind to Your Socks
If you want to be especially careful:
- Fill a sink or basin with cool to lukewarm water.
- Add a small amount of mild detergent and mix.
- Submerge the socks and gently swish them, don’t wring or twist.
- Rinse thoroughly under cool water until no soap remains.
Hand washing is slower, but it’s very kind to elastic fibres and ideal if you want your favourite pairs to last as long as possible.
4. How Often Should You Wash Them?
Because compression and diabetic socks sit close to the skin and absorb sweat throughout the day, it’s best to wash them after each full day of wear.
If you wear them daily, it helps to own multiple pairs so you can rotate them. That way, you’re never tempted to re-wear yesterday’s socks, and each pair has time to fully dry and recover its shape between uses.
Drying Your Socks Without Ruining the Elastic
Drying is where a lot of damage can happen—especially from high heat.
Air Drying Is Best
To keep your HUGMYFEET™ socks comfy and supportive:
- Gently press out excess water with a towel (avoid wringing)
- Lay them flat on a clean towel or drying rack
- Or hang them over a line or rail away from strong direct heat
Air drying is the safest way to protect the stretch and structure of your socks. It helps the fabric stay soft and prevents shrinking or stiffening.
Avoid High Heat
Try to avoid:
- Hot tumble drying
- Placing socks directly on radiators or heaters
- Ironing them
High temperatures can break down elastic fibres and cause socks to lose their shape and compression much faster. If you really need to use a dryer, choose the coolest setting and the shortest possible time, but whenever you can, let them air dry naturally.
How to Store HUGMYFEET™ Socks So They Last Longer
Once your socks are clean and dry, how you store them also matters.
Don’t Ball Them Up Tightly
Many of us are used to rolling socks into tight balls or pulling one cuff over the other. With compression and diabetic socks, that puts a lot of strain on the top cuff and can stretch it out over time.
Instead:
- Lay one sock on top of the other
- Fold them gently in half or into thirds
- Stack them flat in a drawer or organiser
This keeps the cuffs relaxed and helps maintain their gentle hold on your legs.
Keep Them Cool, Dry, and Out of Harsh Sunlight
Store your socks in:
- A cool, dry drawer or box
- Away from damp bathrooms or direct sunlight
Excess humidity and strong sunlight can cause fabrics and elastics to degrade over time.
Organise by Type and Use
It can help to organise your drawer so you can grab the right pair quickly:
- Every day diabetic socks
- Compression socks for work, travel, or long days standing
- Thicker winter pairs for colder months
This reduces rummaging and unnecessary stretching or pulling when you’re in a rush.
When Is It Time to Replace Your Socks?
Even with the best care, every pair has a lifespan. Signs it’s time to replace your HUGMYFEET™ compression or diabetic socks include:
- They feel noticeably looser and slide down more
- The fabric is thinning at the heels, toes, or soles
- The cuff feels slack and doesn’t give a gentle hold
- You can see holes, snags, or fraying seams
If you have diabetes, it’s wise to replace socks before they become rough or badly worn. A small rough patch can be enough to cause rubbing and, over time, a sore spot.
Make Sock Care Part of Your Self-Care
Looking after your HUGMYFEET™ compression and diabetic socks isn’t just about protecting fabric, it’s about protecting your feet, your comfort, and your independence.
With a simple routine:
- Sort socks and turn them inside out
- Wash in cool to warm water with a gentle detergent
- Use a delicate machine cycle or hand wash
- Air dry away from strong heat
- Store them folded, flat, and relaxed
…you help your socks keep doing their job: supporting circulation, reducing friction, and keeping your feet happy day after day.