How to Wash Compression Socks | Keep Their Squeeze

Wash compression socks in lukewarm or cool water with mild detergent, never bleach or fabric softener, then air-dry flat away from heat.

Compression socks only work when they fit right, and their fit depends almost entirely on how you treat them. Hot water, fabric softener, or a dryer session can wreck the elastic fibers that create that firm squeeze. The washing routine itself takes about five minutes — the payoff is socks that keep their compression level for months instead of weeks.

This guide covers the hand-washing and machine-washing methods, the exact products to avoid, and the biggest mistakes that destroy compression garments. There are some differences between brands, so the care label in your sock always wins over general advice.

Why Washing Your Compression Socks Properly Matters

Compression socks are built with knit elastic fibers, usually nylon and spandex, that apply graduated pressure to your legs. Heat, harsh chemicals, and rough handling break down those fibers, which makes the socks lose their squeeze. A sock that has lost its compression won’t improve blood flow the way it should.

Dirty socks are also a problem in the other direction. Skin oils, sweat, and dead cells build up inside the fabric, which can irritate your skin and shorten the sock’s life. Regular washing removes that buildup so the sock’s surface stays smooth against your leg.

How Often Should You Wash Compression Socks?

Daily washing is best if you wear your socks all day, but washing them at least every two days keeps them clean and functional. Compression garments sit against your skin for eight to twelve hours at a stretch, which makes them one of the sweatier pieces of clothing you own.

Some manufacturers like Medi recommend washing your stockings every evening after you take them off. That routine keeps the fibers from sitting in body oils overnight, which can stiffen the fabric and shorten the sock’s usable life.

The Best Way to Wash Compression Socks

Hand washing is the gentlest method and the one most manufacturers recommend, including Sigvaris. It gives you full control over water temperature, detergent, and how much the fabric gets handled.

For hand washing, fill a clean sink or basin with lukewarm or cool water. Add a small amount of mild detergent and swish it in. Turn your socks inside out to protect the outer knit, then submerge them and gently squeeze the soapy water through the fabric for a few minutes. Avoid scrubbing or twisting, because that stretches the fibers.

Rinse thoroughly in cool water until no suds remain. Then press the water out gently — never wring or twist the socks, since that can permanently distort the material.

To remove excess water, lay the socks flat on a clean towel, roll the towel up with the socks inside, and press down firmly. Unroll, then lay the socks flat or hang them loosely to air dry, away from direct heat and sunlight.

Can You Machine Wash Compression Socks?

Yes, most compression socks can go in the machine, but only on the gentle or delicate cycle. Sigvaris allows machine washing on the gentle cycle when socks are turned inside out, using lukewarm water and mild detergent. Medi recommends washing at 30 or 40 degrees Celsius (roughly 85 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit) on a gentle cycle.

If you machine wash, put your socks in a mesh laundry bag to protect them from snagging. Low spin speeds are safer — Medi caps the maximum spin at 1,200 rpm. When the cycle finishes, take the socks out right away so they don’t sit bunched at the bottom of the drum. Then follow the same air-dry process you’d use after hand washing.

Before you buy your next pair, a tested roundup of top compression socks in 20-30 mmHg can help you pick a pair whose care routine you’ll actually follow.

Washing Mistakes That Ruin Compression Socks

Most compression socks that stop working are victims of avoidable washing mistakes. Fabric softener is the biggest offender — it coats the elastic fibers with a film that reduces their grip. Bleach destroys the fibers outright and can ruin the sock’s color.

Hot water, heavy-duty cycles, and high spin speeds all stress the elastic. A tumble dryer is worse: the heat can permanently break down spandex, and the tumbling action stretches and snags the knit. Ortho Health advises never using a dryer or microwave to dry compression garments, and Medi warns that silicone-coated topbands can be permanently affected by lotions, ointments, and solvents.

One more mistake is ignoring the care label entirely. Sigvaris, Medi, and Ortho Health all publish slightly different instructions, and your specific sock’s label may be stricter than the general rules. When in doubt, treat your socks more gently, not less.