Yes, you can machine wash compression socks - just remember to use delicate and cold water settings and replace them every 6 months. Also, remember to air dry your socks after washing, as using a dryer aka tumble dry, can damage the material and affect their compression properties.
Air dry. The hot environment inside the dryer can be damaging to compression garments, which may result in the material being weakened and losing its compression properties. Technical garments, especially compressions socks, should be dried on low or no heat to help prevent damage.
No harm will come to them from being washed often, if you stick to these tips: Wash your socks by hand or in a washing machine on a gentle cycle, in cold water (maximum 40 C / 100 F) Don't tumble dry compression socks.
How best to dry my stockings? Compression garments can be machine-dried or “air” dried. For dryers, maximum low heat should be used because excessive heat exposure can weaken or damage the elastic fibers of the garments.
Wash Your Stockings Every Day
If you can, have 2 pairs. Wear 1 pair each day. Wash and dry the other pair. Replace your stockings every 3 to 6 months so that they maintain their compression and support.
The leg can be so edematous (swollen) that once the sock is on, it will squeeze fluid out of the tissue to above the sock. When the circumference of the leg covered by the sock is reduced, the squeeze becomes less and the remaining fluid in the leg remains.
Compression stockings should not be worn at night. Their use is to assist blood flow to your heart against gravity, like when you are standing or sitting. When you are sleeping, you are laying down and wearing a compression stocking is not typically advisable.
"Compression socks are generally safe, and side effects are rare," Dr. Tonnessen says. "But if they feel uncomfortable in any way—if they are too tight or are causing skin irritation or bruising, for instance—it can help to consult a medical provider and determine whether a different type may work better."
Most sock materials can be washed in a washing machine and then dried in the tumble dryer. If you're ever in doubt, check the manufacturer's care instructions or dry them naturally. When washing and drying your socks, you should use a mesh wash bag to separate them from other clothes.
How to clean compression stockings. Hand washing is recommended, but you may machine wash on the gentle cycle with the garment turned inside out. Use lukewarm water and a mild detergent.
For the dryer, make sure it is set to a no-heat setting. Heat will damage the fibers and affect the long-term wear of your compression clothing. You can also air-dry your garments, as long as you make sure not to stretch the fibers too much as you wring out excess water.
What if you just like to sleep in your compression socks? It's OK to sleep in your compression socks. You can even wear compression socks 24 hours a day if you like. You just shouldn't wear the same compression socks 24 hours a day, day after day, night after night.
Never use bleach, chlorine, fabric softeners, Woolite, or other laundry additives, for these can damage the compression in the garment.
And along with your bras and silk underwear, it's best you don't put any other lingerie or stockings in the dryer either. These materials may shrink or become wrinkly because of the high temperatures inside the dryer, and it's next to impossible to reverse such damage. They may also snag on something, creating a hole.
Stockings should feel snug, but not painfully tight. Mild compression, with lower numbers, is usually enough to keep you comfortable on your feet at work. You'll need higher numbers with a firmer fit to prevent DVT.
Most stains that you are likely to get will come out of your compression legwear by rinsing with cool water (blood, for example) or with gentle agitation either in the machine or basin. We recommend using a concentrated detergent to remove stains as opposed to a harsh, commercial stain remover.
Instead of folding or rolling them, lay them flat in a dry, cool drawer that's odor free. This advice also applies to compression stockings, ensuring their effectiveness and longevity.
Static electricity – is often to blame! When socks rub against clothes in the dryer, they create static electricity. This causes them to cling to other fabrics and makes them difficult to see. As a result, they often go unnoticed when you're doing laundry and end up getting lost.
Lay a thin towel over your wet socks on the ironing board and simply press it using high heat. Turn the socks over and press again to get both sides. If you have no iron, look for other sources of heat such as a radiator to hang your socks near or a blowdryer to blast them with heat.
A compression garment should not be worn in the case of circulation disorders in leg arteries or for those with serious heart conditions. Caution is also recommended in the case of sensory impairments due to diabetes and neuropathy (nerve damage).
Should I elevate my legs when wearing compression socks? Elevating your legs while wearing compression socks can help to reduce swelling in the legs, which can be particularly beneficial after surgery or for people with conditions such as varicose veins.
It's usually all right to wear them all day, but check the label first or consult your healthcare provider for specific instructions. Most of the time, you can wear them comfortably for long periods of time, like during flights, to reduce swelling or reduce the risk of blood clots. Some brands suggest overnight wear.
Dr. Golden explained that compression socks can help increase blood flow to the legs during periods of prolonged sitting. She said the best compression socks “should fit snugly but not be uncomfortably tight.”