Why do socks become hard after washing

I believe many people have experienced this: after wearing socks, they become very hard after washing, so that you don’t want to wear them anymore. This phenomenon is more likely to occur in boys' lives, so many men will buy disposable socks, which is both convenient and comfortable. Why do socks become hard after washing? This is usually caused by sweating on your feet. How to solve this problem?

1. Why do socks become hard after washing?

The main reason why socks become hard after washing is that minerals such as calcium and magnesium ions in the water come into contact with detergents.

The reason is that traditional detergents cannot effectively inhibit the process in which dirt is washed from clothes into the wash water and redeposited on the already clean clothes. After being washed multiple times with traditional detergents, the original soft quality of textiles will gradually disappear, and be replaced by a hard, knotty and uncomfortable feel. This is what is known internationally as the crusting and hardening of textiles. Old towels that have been used for a long time are typical examples of this phenomenon. The reason lies in the consequences of using sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium carbonate as builders and kaolin and activated white clay as fillers in traditional detergents.

2. Why do socks become hard after washing?

The more you wash, the harder the clothes become. This is the feeling of clothes after they are hung out to dry. Most socks are made of cotton or cotton blended fabrics. Cotton has average light and heat resistance. Most people use the method of hanging to dry them, which will cause the cotton fabric to age and become dry, hard and brittle. Many men who love sports have a question: why do socks become harder the more they are washed? There are many reasons. Let's see which one you are!

Possibility 1: The cotton content of the socks is too high. The socks still need some elastic fiber Lycra and natural fiber. Or the cotton quality is not high, combed cotton socks would be better.

Possibility 2: It’s due to the detergent. In this case, you can use softener after washing.

Possibility three: The socks were not washed clean. Because my feet sweat a lot.

Possibility 4: Because I am lazy! I haven’t washed my socks for a long time!

If your feet sweat easily, it is recommended that you change your socks every day and pay attention to the cleanliness of your shoes. Wear sports socks with sports shoes and cotton socks/mercerized cotton socks with leather shoes. There are socks on the market with moisture-wicking properties, you can try them. Socks should be changed and washed every day. You can consult your doctor to find out the cause of excessive sweating in your feet.

3. What to do if your socks become hard after washing

1. Socks become hard after washing due to fiber aging and impurity deposition. If there is no softener, you can boil them in boiling water with laundry detergent for 20 minutes, then wash them and they will be as soft as new.

2. When washing for the last time, soak it in a little vinegar, or soak it in the water used to wash rice for a while before washing and drying it, and it will remain soft.

3. No matter whether the stockings are of good or poor quality, soak them in a little salt water before wearing them, then put them in the freezer of the refrigerator for about half an hour, then take them out and let them dry naturally, so that the fibers will become stronger and more wear-resistant.