Shrinking Socks

8 replies

whethergirl · 21/03/2011 22:55

I am always having to replace mine and especially DS's socks, as after a while, they shrink. However I've mentioned this to a few people who don't seem to have this problem. Where am I going wrong? I wash them on 40c. I do, however buy cheap socks from Primark or Hennes. But I thought all socks were made from the same erm...sock material.

If your socks don't shrink, where do you buy your socks from?

OP posts:

halfcaffodils · 21/03/2011 22:58

Are you tumble drying?

bran · 21/03/2011 23:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

halfcaffodils · 21/03/2011 23:12

I have bought socks from Lidl, Primark, M & S, Sainsburys, BHS...never had a shrinkage problem. I don't have a tumble drier - just wonder if that makes a difference?

Original poster

whethergirl · 21/03/2011 23:33

Nope, I never EVER tumble dry (there's only me and ds so can get by without it) because I always have this feeling it ruins your clothes.

Thanks for the sock tips bran, maybe I should try going for a better class of socks.

halfcaffodils - how annoying. What can it be? Do you use fabric conditioner? (I don't). Do you wash at 40c?

OP posts:

halfcaffodils · 22/03/2011 00:00

40 or even 30...maybe your machine is going a bit higher than it says - try 30 and see if you are still getting things clean enough. I quite often do dark loads at 30 and haven't noticed a difference. I have used fabric conditioner in the past but rarely do nowadays.

Original poster

whethergirl · 22/03/2011 21:47

It's a very old washing machine, maybe that's got something to do with it? I could have probably bought a new one with all the money I've spent on buying socks!

OP posts:

menagerie · 22/03/2011 23:24

Hi, Whether. Our socks shrink too. But I do tumble dry them. I gave up replacing them in the end. Now I buy the DCs socks several sizes too big, or they wear my shrunk black ones and I steal DPs shrunk ones. DP has a certifiable sock problem, about 80 pairs and throws none away, so he isn't barefoot yet.

But Primark and M&S are the worst. They use super-shrinky sock material. BHS, John Lewis or Gap hold out a bit longer.

Original poster

whethergirl · 23/03/2011 22:47

Gosh menagerie, sock sorting at your house must be chaos.

Yes, I've also now resorted to buying huge socks for ds but they will also gradually shrink. I can understand Primark but M&S?? I would have thought they'd have a sock shrinking expert on hand to advise them.

I've never used BHS, John Lewis or Gap socks so will try and see if it makes a difference.

Loving your dp's sock enthusiasm.

OP posts:

Flip