How to Wash Merino Wool Socks (Without Ruining Them)

If you've ever held a pair of merino socks over the laundry basket and hesitated, you're not alone. Merino wool has a reputation for being delicate, and when you've spent a little more on really good socks, the last thing you want to do is ruin them in the wash.

But with a care, merino can be durable, can be washed in the washing machine and comes out exactly the same size it went in.

Why Merino Wool Needs a Little Extra Care

Merino wool is a protein-based fibre, much like hair. It's fine, naturally elastic, and soft which is exactly why it feels so good. But those same qualities mean it responds differently to heat, agitation, and harsh detergents.

Merino is naturally moisture wicking, odour-resistant and antibacterial. Follow our care instructions to help keep your merino socks doing their good work and feel like the did the first time your put them on.

How Often Should You Wash Merino Wool Socks?

Less often than you'd think. One of merino's best qualities is that it's naturally antibacterial. The fibre structure resists the bacteria that cause odour, which means it stays fresher for longer between washes.

As a general guide: wash after 2–3 wears and on particularly active days wash after each wear.

Washing Instructions

Machine Washing Merino Wool Socks: Step by Step

Machine washing is perfectly fine for merino, as long as you set things up properly.

1. Turn the socks inside out before washing. This protects the outer surface and helps them keep their look

2. If you have it, you can use a mesh laundry bag to reduce friction and stop them getting tangled with other items

3. Select a wool or delicate or gentle cycle. Something with low spin speed

4. Use cold water or lukewarm water only, ever warm or hot

5. A gentle detergent or a wool-safe detergent is best

6. Skip the fabric softener and bleach as both damage merino fibres

How to Hand Wash Merino Wool Socks

Hand washing is the gentler option, and it's particularly useful when you're travelling or when you just want to be careful with a new pair.

It's also quicker than it sounds:

1. Fill a basin with lukewarm water

2. Add a small amount of gentle detergent and mix

3. Submerge the socks in cold water and press them softly into the water. Don't scrub, twist, or wring

4. Rinse in water at the same temperature (sudden changes cause shrinkage)

5. Press out excess water by rolling the socks gently in a clean towel

How to Dry Merino Wool Socks Properly

Drying is where most merino mishaps happen. It's worth getting this right.

1. Lay flat to air dry on a clean surface or a drying rack

2. Reshape while they're still damp if needed. Merino is easy to coax back into shape at this stage

3. Keep them away from radiators, tumble dryers, and direct sunlight as heat is not a friend

4. Never tumble dry on a high heat setting as even a low heat setting is a risk with merino

The good news: merino dries faster than most natural fibres, so laying flat rarely means a long wait.

What Detergent Should You Use for Merino Wool Socks?

Use a pH-neutral, wool-safe and mild detergent. The reason matters: standard biological detergents contain protease enzymes that break down protein-based fibres over time. Because merino is a protein fibre, it's quietly being degraded every time it meets a biological detergent — even if you can't see the damage immediately.

Avoid: Do not use Bleach. Fabric softener. Biological or enzyme-based detergents.

Common Merino Wool Washing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Hot water
Heat causes the fibres to contract permanently. Always use cold water or lukewarm water.

Tumble drying
Even a short tumble on a high heat setting can shrink merino significantly. Lay flat to dry, always.

Wringing or twisting
Squeezing water out aggressively distorts the fibres. Press gently with a towel instead.

Washing with rough fabrics
Putting merino socks in with jeans or towels means more friction and more risk of pilling or damage.

Overloading the machine
Less room means more agitation. Keep the load light when washing merino.

How to Unshrink Merino Wool Socks

If a pair has already shrunk, don't give up on them yet. Merino can often be coaxed back.

1. Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a generous amount of hair conditioner — this relaxes the fibres

2. Submerge the socks and leave them to soak for around 30 minutes

3. Gently press out the water (don't rinse the conditioner out fully)

4. While still damp, carefully stretch the socks back towards their original shape by hand

5. Lay flat and leave to dry, reshaping as they go

It doesn't always work perfectly, but it's worth trying before writing a pair off.

Storing Your Merino Wool Socks Between Wears

A few small habits here can increase the lifespan of your socks:

1. Air them out before putting them away

2. Fold rather than roll tightly as rolling compresses the fibres

3. Keep them away from direct heat and damp

4. If moths are wreaking havoc, cedar blocks are a better option than mothballs, which can damage natural fibres.

With care, our merino wool socks stay soft and durable. They’re one of our most loved fibres for a reason. Discover more merino socks to upgrade your sock drawer.