How to Keep Bookshelf Socks and Evil Eye Socks Looking New
By THESE ARE THINGS® – Enamel Pins • Iron On Patches | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: 技巧與保養
A simple wash-and-dry routine for Bookshelf Socks and Evil Eye Socks that protects the cotton-blend fabric and printed designs from fading, pilling, and stretching.
Quick answer
Wash both pairs inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, skip the dryer, and air-dry them flat. That single routine protects the cotton-blend fabric and the printed designs from the heat and friction that cause most sock damage.
Why novelty socks age faster than plain ones
The weak points on a printed sock are the ink and the fibers it sits on. Hot water and tumble drying shrink and roughen cotton-blend fibers, which makes the print look dull and can cause it to crack. Friction in a crowded drum does the rest, pulling loose fibers into pills around the design.
You do not need special detergent or a separate laundry load. You do need to treat these socks more like a printed T-shirt than a gym sock: cooler water, less agitation, and no high heat.
When the simple routine is not enough
If a sock has a grease stain or has been worn for a long, sweaty day, a cold gentle cycle alone may not clean it. Pretreat just that spot with a small amount of liquid detergent and let it sit for ten minutes before washing. Avoid chlorine bleach entirely; it attacks both the dye and the cotton blend.
If you share a washing machine with heavy items like jeans or towels, wash the socks in a mesh bag or run them in a separate small load. The bag matters more than the cycle setting for preventing snags and stretching.
Step-by-step sock care routine
- Turn both socks inside out: Pull each sock inside out so the printed design faces inward. This reduces surface friction against other clothes and keeps the print from rubbing directly on the drum. Check that the heel and toe seams are not twisted before washing.
- Pretreat stains with liquid detergent: Dab a small amount of liquid detergent on any stain and let it sit for about ten minutes. Do not scrub hard with a brush, which can lift the print.
- Wash cold on a gentle cycle: Use cold water and a gentle or delicate cycle with a mild detergent. If washing with heavy items, place the socks in a mesh laundry bag first. Skip fabric softener; it leaves a residue that can make the cotton blend feel less breathable.
- Skip the dryer: Remove the socks promptly when the cycle ends and reshape them by hand. Do not put them in a tumble dryer, even on low heat. If you must use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove the socks while still slightly damp.
- Air-dry flat or line-dry in shade: Lay the socks flat on a drying rack or hang them out of direct sunlight. Reshape the heel and toe while damp so they dry in their intended shape. Direct sun can fade printed colors over time, so a shaded spot is better than a sunny windowsill.
The two pairs in this routine
- Bookshelf Socks: Cotton-blend fabric with subtle “Sorry I’m booked” wording, sized approximately medium for most adult feet. The printed wording is the part most likely to fade, so turning these socks inside out before washing protects the text directly.
Bookshelf Socks - Evil Eye Socks: Cotton-blend fabric with an eye-catching evil eye design, medium size, sold as a pair. The all-over eye motif has more printed surface area, so it benefits most from cold water and air drying to keep the colors sharp.
Evil Eye Socks
