Socks Care Guide

How to Look After Your Socks (Properly)

Good socks deserve better than being thrown in with a random wash and hoping for the best. A little care goes a long way-keep your Leading Man socks looking sharp, feeling comfortable, and lasting far longer.

Always start by checking the care label on your socks. We use premium yarns with specific performance qualities, so following the right process will get you the best results every time.

Before You Wash

Sort Like a Pro

Separate your laundry into whites, colours, and darks. Our socks are colourfast and thoroughly tested, but other garments aren’t always so disciplined. Sorting prevents unwanted dye transfer and keeps colours crisp.

Wash Socks with Socks

For the gentlest wash, clean socks with other socks only. Heavy items like jeans or towels can twist and rough them up, causing stretching or surface fluffing.

If you’re mixing loads, use a mesh washing bag. It protects your socks and stops the washing machine from claiming another unmatched pair.

Turn Dress Socks Inside Out

For dress socks, always wash inside out.

  • Reduces friction on the outer surface
  • Helps prevent pilling
  • Cleans the dirtiest area more effectively

Sports socks can also be washed inside out-but keep them separate from dress socks to avoid transferring lint or fibres.

Washing Your Socks

Machine Washing

Some Leading Man cotton socks are machine washable-check the label to be sure.

If machine washing:

  • Use a cool temperature
  • Select a delicate cycle
  • Choose a colour-safe detergent
  • Never use bleach

Hand Washing (Best for Longevity)

  • Use cool water and the right detergent
  • Let socks soak briefly
  • Rinse until water runs clear
  • Optional: a small amount of fabric softener to recondition fibres

Drying: What Not to Do Matters Most

  • Air dry only - use a drying rack or clothes line
  • Avoid tumble dryers completely

Heat and agitation cause:

  • Excess pilling
  • Fibre damage
  • Elastic fatigue
  • Shrinking and felting

Don’t wring socks out when wet. Instead:

  1. Roll them in a clean towel
  2. Gently press to remove excess water
  3. Lay flat or hang to dry

Storing Your Socks the Right Way

Pair Without Stretching

Roll socks into a loose spiral or fold them together.
Never stretch one sock over the other-this weakens the elastic and shortens their life.

Keep Things Organised

  • Store socks by colour to prevent fibre transfer
  • Use drawer dividers or organisers
  • Keep drawers cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight
  • Don’t overpack-tight drawers cause unnecessary wear

Take Care of Your Feet (Seriously)

Your socks only last as long as your feet allow them to.

  • Keep feet moisturised and smooth
  • Trim or file toenails regularly
  • Rough skin and sharp nails are the fastest way to holes and snags

Buy Smarter, Wear Longer

  • Once you find a style you love, buy multiple pairs
  • A single hole won’t kill the rotation
  • Rotate socks seasonally to reduce wear
  • Store off-season socks in an airtight bag with cedar or lavender to deter pests

Match your socks to the conditions:

  • Thick socks = cold weather
  • Lightweight socks = heat and summer wear
  • Don’t force socks to do a job they weren’t designed for

Match Your Socks to Your Shoes

The right shoe matters just as much as the right sock.

  • Fine dress socks work best with properly fitted dress shoes
  • If you previously sized up for thicker socks, thinner socks may cause excess foot movement
  • Lightweight socks and heavy boots don’t mix
  • Thick winter socks shouldn’t be worn with dress shoes

And finally -always wear shoes outdoors. Walking on concrete, gravel, or paving in socks will destroy them faster than any washing mistake.

Look After Your Socks. They’ll Look After You.

A small amount of care keeps your Leading Man socks performing at their best-day in, day out.