Dry socks in the dryer or on the clothesline?

A few questions always come up when drying socks because what is the most gentle way to dry your beloved stockings? In summer, you can, of course, let the socks dry in the fresh air and sunshine, and they smell fresh and fragrant. But what about when the weather is bad, should the tumble dryer really be used, which is actually considered poison for fine stockings? Our guide article gives you the answers to these and other questions.

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The advantages of the clothesline

The disadvantages of the clothesline

In any case, the disadvantage of the clothesline or drying rack is that on cold winter days or generally in bad weather, the laundry takes a long time to dry. If the weather is bad, you should hang up pairs of socks indoors. This also increases heating costs in closed rooms in winter. You should make sure that these rooms are always well ventilated. Otherwise mold can form. Anyone who decides to hang up the laundry must be aware that this takes time. In addition, it can happen that insects or birds in nature soil the socks from time to time.

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The advantages of the tumble dryer

The tumble dryer offers a high level of convenience, as the laundry can be put into the drum machine immediately after washing. No long hanging is necessary here, but you can save time and put the socks on immediately afterwards. You are more flexible when it comes to the weather conditions because it doesn't matter whether it's raining or snowing outside, you can dry at any time, and the footlets usually dry faster than with the conventional clothesline. There is also less space requirement, after all a drying rack needs more space. When you get the socks out of the drum, they always smell fresh.

The disadvantages of the tumble dryer

One of the major disadvantages is clearly the high-energy consumption and the purchase and maintenance costs for the dryer. The socks can also get holes because the fibers can tear due to the enormous heat in the machine. High temperatures are particularly harmful for very sensitive socks, such as wool socks, silk stockings or even some plastic socks. Likewise, running socks with plastic or rubber stoppers should not be put in the tumble dryer. It can also be the case that the socks start to pill or you discover wear and tear on the material.

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Another major disadvantage is still the shrinkage of garments. This can also happen quickly with beloved socks and so you have to pull the socks out again after the machine cycle, as far as this is at least possible. Really high-quality fabrics should definitely be allowed to air dry.

Socks with prints can melt in the tumble dryer, so leave them outside. Socks break faster in the machine, you notice that over time. Attention: The machine drying should never be left unattended because foams, solvents or a short circuit and an overloaded power supply could be dangerous and lead to fires.

What is the best solution now? Do you prefer conventional or modern?

It is not possible to say exactly which variant is the better one. After all, both methods have advantages and disadvantages. It is best to choose a combination of both.

Which type you should use in each case depends on various factors. In winter, machine drying is the best solution because if you hang the socks on the drying rack, it takes a long time for them to dry, and the heating has to be turned up very high. It has to be said that machine drying is the better method on colder days.

In summer, on the other hand, things look different again, on warm days the laundry can dry outside in the sunshine and energy consumption is saved. Machine drying is superfluous here. For allergy sufferers, socks should be machine-dried when the pollen counts. So that these do not come into contact with the pollen.

In any case, you should also examine the fabrics and materials to find out which method makes the most sense in each situation. Some fabrics shouldn't be tumble dried at all, and some should. Materials such as cotton or terry cloth become soft in the machine, but they can become stiff and scratchy in the fresh air. But cotton can also shrink in the drum machine. Always pay attention to the care label on your new socks, so you avoid mistakes and don't get annoyed if the socks aren't the same as they were at the beginning.

In addition, you should definitely set a gentle cycle, then no nasty surprises await you. Always allow natural fibers or blended fabrics to air dry, as they cannot stand the intense heat. Never put stockings with appliqués, pearls or other decorations in the machine.

Tip: Never fill the tumble dryer too full. Otherwise, the laundry will not dry properly and will crease. You don't have to worry about the lint filter either, only about 10 percent of the fiber abrasion is caused by the drum dryer.

Conclusion

So if you decide on a combination of both variations, you have to pay attention to a few things. However, the drying of your laundry will be more efficient, and you will have something of your women's or men's socks for a longer time. Your favorite socks are protected, and you can save time and money. Anyone who is put off by drying in the machine, as it consumes a lot of energy and is therefore not exactly environmentally friendly, can inquire with good manufacturers because there are now high-quality and energy-saving devices available to buy