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Care & Laundry Guide
Washing Merino Socks
How to wash socks at home and on the trial
CloudLine Sock Care and Laundry Instructions
Every CloudLine sock is trail-tested and refined until it is worthy of our lifetime guarantee. Giving your socks the proper care will make sure you get the best performance with every wear. Below are the best ways to keep your socks fresh at home and on the trail.
Get 'Em Dirty
Your Cloudline socks are meant to get dirty, so you can attack muddy trails with ease. Merino wool naturally resists odor-causing bacteria so your socks stay fresh longer between washings so you can go hard on multi -day trips with fewer pairs.
Machine Washing Merino Wool Socks
Always Turn Socks Inside Out Before Washing
Merino wool and synthetic fibers can begin to pill due to abrasion in the wash, and turning the socks inside out prevents this. It's also a good idea to close any zippers and velcro closures to keep them from snagging your favorite socks.
Wash on Cold or Warm
Never use Bleach and avoid using fabric softener. Merino wool is naturally incredibly soft, and fabric softener can inhibit your socks ability to wick moisture.
Tumble Dry on Low Heat
Exposing your socks to high heat can cause them to shrink. Thanks to quick drying merino a quick tumble on low heat will do the trick.
Quick drying merino also makes Cloudline socks easy to line-dry, a green alternative to the dryer.
Washing Socks on the Trail
CloudLine merino wool socks are naturally antibacterial and usually won't need to be washed on weekend trips. If you're on a thru-hike or backpacking for several weeks you may want to use this method to wash your socks and clothing on the trail.
Washing Supplies
- Watertight Dry Bag: if you don't have a dry bag a gallon ziplock, or a cooking pot will work in a pinch.
- Biodegradable Laundry Soap: we recommend Sea to Summit's Laundry Wash Leaves or a powdered detergent. Both are light-weight options that won't leak in your pack.
- Water: pre-fill a large water bottle and your wash bag half full of water.
Important: always dispose of soapy or dirty water at least 200 yards from any water sources.
The Wash Cycle
Add your socks, clothes, and soap to the water and seal the bag. Shake and agitate the bag for several minutes. Then let everything soak for 15 minutes and agitate again. Properly discard the dirty water at least 200 yards from water sources.
The Rinse Cycle
Refill your bag with clean water from your water bottle and shake to rinse. Again, properly dispose of the dirty water at least 200 yards from water sources.
Line Dry
Gently squeeze your wet socks and clothes to remove as much moisture as you can. Then hang them to dry. If drying near the campfire be sure to keep them far enough away from the heat so they don't shrink.