Wash compression stockings in the washing machine

For many diseases, long-term and almost round-the-clock wearing of shapewear, for example, orthopedic stockings, is indicated. Naturally, sooner or later the question arises: is it possible to wash compression stockings in a washing machine and how to dry them? After all, if the special material and frame threads are not properly cleaned, they can lose their healing properties and become completely useless. To avoid unnecessary expenses and health problems, you need to study the “stocking” issue in advance. Specific recommendations and clear instructions will help with this.

We use an automatic machine

If the stockings can be washed in a washing machine, then there will be a corresponding mark on the factory label. We are talking about a schematic representation of a “basin” with the number “30” in the center, which allows hand and machine washing in cold water. When a hand is drawn instead of “30”, you cannot load the item into the machine, and the crossed out icon indicates a ban on any water manipulations. But permission to machine wash orthopedic stockings is given under certain conditions:

• heating the water to a maximum of 30-40 degrees - it cannot be higher;
• “Delicate” or “Manual” mode only;
• Spin is disabled.

Orthopedic stockings, stockings and tights should not be wrung out - the frame threads are easily deformed.

The listed conditions cannot be ignored, otherwise “friendship” with a machine gun will lead to irreparable consequences. The fact is that the frame threads that make compression garments effective, even with minimal spin, can suffer and lose their healing properties. Hot water also has a detrimental effect on the texture of medical knitwear.

Another nuance - it is recommended to wash orthopedic items separately from regular laundry. But not everyone agrees to such a consumption of water and electricity, since it is cheaper and more expedient to refresh the stockings manually. But even when washing by hand, it is important to remember several fundamental rules.

Traditional care

Manufacturers of therapeutic stockings allow products to be washed in a machine. But it is still recommended to use washing machines in exceptional cases, and when regularly cleaning compression garments, give preference to manual cleaning. By hand washing, you can minimize damage to items and extend their lifespan.

Stockings are washed using the automatic “Delicate” program. The instructions are as follows.

1. We fill a basin with a suitable container with water at a temperature of 30-40 degrees.
2. Dilute the detergent in water and foam it.
3. Dip the stockings into the soapy solution and soak for 10-15 minutes.
4. Afterwards, we carefully wash the items, avoiding deformation (the laundry is carefully washed without twisting, squeezing or strong pressure!).
5. Rinse in clean water 2-3 times.

Compression garments can be washed in water no higher than 40 degrees.

All movements should be as smooth and calm as possible. It is prohibited to wring out, twist or strongly rub compression socks, otherwise the frame will lose its strength and the entire system will “collapse”. Aggressive bleaches, rinses and conditioners will also have a bad effect on the material. Let's look at how you can wash stockings further.

What powder should I use?

Regular powder is unlikely to be suitable for compression garments. Medical knitwear requires the softest possible structure without chlorine, fatty acids and other components that can disrupt the structure of the fabric.Ideally, it is better to buy a special detergent for cleaning shapewear, which, if desired, can be found in hardware stores.

If there is no special equipment, we select the appropriate option from the existing “arsenal”. So, for “compression” the following are suitable:

• liquid soap;
• shampoo;
• baby powder or gel;
• product for delicate fabrics.

When washing compression garments, do not use bleaches, conditioners, rinse aids or chlorine compounds.

Manufacturers advise giving preference to the gel formula: the soft texture penetrates the fibers faster, dissolves without problems in cold water and is washed out without leaving a residue. Powder, on the contrary, often remains on things as undissolved grains, gets stuck in the elastic material and deforms it.

Laundry soap is also contraindicated. It is based on fatty acids, which have an aggressive effect and damage knitwear. It’s better not to take risks, but to use the mentioned special equipment. Such compositions are inexpensive, delicate, and, judging by customer reviews, very effective.

Drying the stockings

Particular attention should be paid to drying anti-varicose stockings. Products are dried only naturally and in a well-ventilated area - without a dryer, radiators, hair dryer or iron. Knitwear should not be exposed to direct ultraviolet radiation.

Compression stockings should only be dried in a horizontal position away from heating devices.

You should also remember that hanging stockings is prohibited. During vertical drying, the frame is deformed and loses its compression properties. You need to lay out a clean, dry towel on a flat horizontal surface, and place the washed laundry on it.To speed up the drying process, we change the “base” when it gets wet or use a special absorbent material like microfiber.

What to do if silicone is woven into stockings?

If the stockings have silicone inserts for enhanced fixation, then the laundry is washed according to a different pattern. The problem is that silicone, when in contact with soap solution or fatty acids, loses its former properties: from elastic and elastic it becomes hard and brittle. All this leads to the gradual destruction of the fixation and damage to the golf course.

Compression socks with silicone rubber cannot be washed in a washing machine.

To prevent deformation, stockings with silicone are cleaned in a special way. To begin, take medical alcohol and moisten a cotton swab or piece of cotton with it. Afterwards, all existing silicone inserts are processed. As a rule, such care is required approximately 2-3 times a week.

The rest of the golf course is washed according to the program described above. Only the upper part is pre-protected from water with silicone: you need to step back 2-3 cm from the insert and tie the product tightly with a lace. If solution gets on the elastic band, remove the liquid as soon as possible.

Tips for choosing stockings

Proper washing will not spoil the item if it was originally of high quality. Therefore, it is necessary to exercise caution and scrupulousness even at the stage of purchasing compression stockings. Thus, phlebologists recommend paying attention to the following points when choosing shapewear.

• Shop. It is better to buy medical knitwear in specialized departments and salons. In other retail outlets you can buy a fake that does not have any medicinal effect. Even those products that have the tempting inscription “with the Bauerfeind compression effect” are useless.
• Manufacturer. Keep in mind that world-famous and trusted brands are of higher quality and more reliable. Bauerfeind, Medi, Sigvaris are companies that are constantly improving compression technology. They are more expensive, but more effective.

Leading companies producing compression medical products are Bauerfeind, Medi and Sigvaris.

• Characteristics. Medical knitwear has a gradation of density according to compression classes, and not according to the usual DEN.
• Consultation. Before purchasing, you need to check with your doctor about the required compression class and type of underwear.
• Size. The effectiveness and service life of stockings also depends on the correct size, which is determined by the four measurements of the leg. A doctor or consultant in the store will help you understand the size range.
• Quantity. Experts recommend purchasing two pairs of underwear at once. In this case, there is no need to rush drying - one is washed, and the other is worn quietly.
• Fitting. Before ordering in an online store, it is recommended to purchase the item offline. So as not to make a mistake with the size and tightening class.

Almost every manufacturer of orthopedic knitwear provides a three-year warranty on the product. But to preserve the therapeutic properties, it is necessary to properly care for the item and store it in a dry place protected from direct sunlight at temperatures up to 25 degrees. In practice, everything is simpler: over time, everything becomes a habit and cleaning does not cause any trouble.

What should you keep in mind?

Buying and cleaning a “compression shoe” is not all the difficulties. In order not to spoil your knee socks, you must follow several rules when wearing them.These include the following recommendations:

Compression stockings must not be ironed or dry cleaned!

• before putting on, washing and removing stockings, all rings and bracelets are removed - do not leave puffs or other damage to the knitwear;
• for daily wear, daily cleaning is recommended (dust, skin particles clog the fibers and introduce an imbalance in the structure of the linen);
• regularly do pedicures and other foot treatments (nails and cracks damage stockings).

Proper putting on of golf is also important. With a high compression class, it is very difficult to pull on stockings, because, unlike ordinary tights, they cannot be pulled and gathered into an accordion. Any such deformations immediately affect the frame threads and reduce the medical effectiveness of the product.

It is better to read the instructions carefully before use. Put it on gradually, carefully, buy special equipment and don’t forget about gloves. The latter will ensure sliding and protect against puffs.

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