Compression socks get their support from elastic fibres knitted into the fabric. Those fibres are tough enough for a long working day, but they have one weakness: heat. Hot washes, tumble dryers and irons break them down faster than months of wear.
The good news is that caring for compression socks properly takes no extra time. It's mostly a matter of what not to do.
How to wash compression socks
- Turn them inside out before they go in the machine, unless they're very dirty on the outside.
- Put them in a mesh laundry bag. It stops them stretching or tangling around other clothes.
- Wash cold on a gentle cycle, with a mild detergent. Skip the fabric softener.
- Air-dry them flat. Lay them on a rack or a towel, not hanging by the top.
- No bleach, no tumble dryer, no iron. Ever.
That matches the care label on every pair of Wekynd socks.
Why inside out
The inside of a compression sock is where sweat, dead skin and body oils build up after a day in closed shoes. Turning the sock inside out puts that side in direct contact with the water and detergent, so it gets properly clean.
It also protects the outside. The knit and the colour are less likely to rub against other clothes and wear down. The only exception is when the outside is the dirtier side, after a muddy walk to work in the monsoon for example. Then wash them right side out.
Why heat is the enemy
The compression in a Wekynd sock comes from its rubber and spandex, 20% and 12% of the fabric. Heat breaks down these elastic fibres over time. Each hot wash or trip through the dryer takes a little of the stretch away, until the sock slides on easily and stops doing its job.
Fabric softener does similar damage in a different way. It coats the fibres, which can reduce their stretch and stop moisture from moving away from your skin. Our comparison of cotton compression socks and synthetics explains how each fibre behaves.
Machine or hand wash?
Either works. Machine washing on a cold, gentle cycle in a mesh bag is perfectly fine for everyday use, and it's what most people do.
If you prefer to hand wash, use cool water and a little mild detergent. Swirl the socks gently, rinse well, and press the water out between your palms or inside a towel. Don't wring or twist them.
How often should you wash them?
After every wear. It isn't just about hygiene. As you wear compression socks, the fabric relaxes a little. Washing helps the elastic spring back to its original shape, so the sock gives you proper support again the next day.
Drying in Indian weather
Air-drying is easy for most of the year. In the monsoon, when clothes take a day or more to dry, hang a rack indoors near a fan rather than leaving socks damp in a pile. Avoid drying them on a heater, near a stove, or in harsh direct sun for hours, since strong heat affects the elastic too. Shade and moving air work best.
How long a pair should last
With regular wear and proper care, a pair of compression socks lasts roughly three to six months. The more often you wear a pair, the sooner it will need replacing, which is why rotating several pairs makes each one last longer.
Signs it's time to replace them
- They slide on much more easily than they used to.
- The top no longer stays up through the day.
- You can see the fabric thinning, especially at the heel or toe.
- By evening, your legs feel as heavy as they did before you started wearing compression.
Why owning more than one pair is the real answer
If you wear compression socks every working day, one pair isn't enough. You need a clean pair each morning, and in the monsoon, one might not be dry in time. Two pairs is the minimum. Three or four means each pair gets a proper rest between wears and lasts longer.
Wekynd compression socks are ₹1,299 a pair, and the price per pair drops when you buy more: 2 for ₹1,499, 4 for ₹2,399 and 6 for ₹3,299, mixed across any colours and sizes.
Quick care guide
| Step | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| Before washing | Turn inside out, put in a mesh bag | Wash with zips or hooks that can snag |
| Washing | Cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent | Hot water, bleach, fabric softener |
| Drying | Air-dry flat, in shade or near a fan | Tumble dry, iron, dry on a heater |
| Storing | Roll or fold loosely in a drawer | Store them stretched or knotted |
Putting them on the right way protects the elastic too. See how to put on compression socks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put compression socks in the washing machine?
Yes. Use a cold, gentle cycle and put them in a mesh bag.
Should I turn compression socks inside out to wash them?
Yes, unless they're very dirty on the outside. The inside is where sweat and skin build up.
Can I tumble dry compression socks?
No. Heat damages the elastic that creates the compression. Air-dry them flat.
Will the colour bleed?
Wekynd socks are made with lasting colours that don't bleed.
How long do compression socks last?
Around three to six months of regular wear with proper care.