How to wash and care for your bamboo sports socks
Good socks are an investment. The way you wash them decides how long they keep their fit, their support and their freshness.
The good news: caring for bamboo sports socks takes no extra time. It just takes the right habits.
How do you wash bamboo sports socks?
Wash them cold or at 30°C with a mild detergent, ideally in a laundry bag and separated from heavier clothes. Skip bleach and fabric softener. Then let them air dry in a well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight, and never in the tumble dryer.
Why care matters for performance socks
Active Rock socks are made of 80% bamboo fibre, 15% polyamide and 5% elastane. Each fibre has a job:
- Bamboo keeps the sock breathable and helps manage sweat and odour.
- Polyamide adds strength and durability.
- Elastane gives the stretch that holds the Active Arc compression zones and the close, second-skin fit in place.
Heat, harsh chemicals and tumble drying attack exactly these properties. Treat them well, and the fit and support last.
Five steps to wash your socks the right way
1. Separate them
Wash your socks apart from heavy garments like jeans or towels, or put them in a laundry bag. This stops them from tangling and overstretching in the drum.
2. Use a mild detergent
Harsh detergents can damage the fibres and cause shrinkage. A gentle detergent, or one made for sportswear, removes sweat and dirt without harming the material.
3. Keep it cool
Wash cold or at 30°C. At 40°C your socks will come out clean, but the heat wears down the elastane fibres, and the sock slowly loses its stretch and hold.
4. No bleach, no softener
Bleach fades colours and weakens the fabric. Fabric softener coats the fibres and reduces breathability, which is the very thing bamboo is there for.
5. Air dry
Skip the tumble dryer: it damages the elastic fibres and can shrink the socks. Hang them in a well-ventilated place instead, out of direct sunlight to protect the colours.
Keeping them fresh between washes
- Air them out after play. Do not leave damp socks balled up in your bag.
- Wash them after every session. Sweat left in the fibres is what causes lasting odour.
- Rotate your pairs. Having more than one pair lets each one dry fully and rest between sessions.
Curious why bamboo works so well in the first place? Read the science behind bamboo socks.
Ready for your next pair?
Well cared for, your socks stay a reliable part of your kit for a long time. When it is time to add a pair to the rotation, find the one for your sport in the Active Rock range.