Why Didn’t I Think of That: Sock Washing
I received a great tip from Tammy in Texas to share with you all this week. She says..
“I wanted to pass along a handy tip that my LYS owner gave to me about
washing hand knit socks.
She said to toss them in the bottom of the shower before you get in,
then let all of the shampoo and soap run off of your body and onto the
socks and then gently squish the suds through, with your feet. Sort of
like stomping of the grapes, only it’s stomping of the socks. Rinse
them in the shower, give a little twist and voila, hang them over the
shower rod to dry.
Now that is multitasking.
She even got her husband to wash his own socks this way.
I do this now all the time and never have to go without handknit socks
because I was to busy to wash them by hand, instead I wash them by “feet.”"
Thanks Tammy! I’m definitely going to give this a try.
Don’t forget to email me your tips too.
Sam lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two kids, two Basenjis and a houseful of yarn. She is known to all the soccer moms in the area as the “weird knitting lady” and has been spotted knitting at the bus stop, soccer, gymnastics, restaurants and while waiting in line. You can read more about her knitting and crafting adventures on her blog, and reach her at sam@limenviolet.com.
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wednesday white Says:
Eep. That sounds vaguely unsanitary — are the socks going to have an adequate rinse period away from one’s, erm, personal detritus?
(I’d also be concerned about my choice of cleansers there, but that’s another discussion.)
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Mia Says:
Sorry, but I just can’t see that this would be good for your socks. Think about it.
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Karen in Toledo Says:
Wouldn’t the water be too warm??
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Rebecca Says:
Um…. no. What’s wrong with using the wool setting in the washing machine?
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 11:51 am
kim Says:
the yarn harlot endorses a similar method, although she washes hers while they are on her feet in the bath.
you can read it here if you scroll down a bit:
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2005/05/25/get_a_hold_of_yourself.html
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 11:58 am
kit Says:
I find this to be a nice way to do it. I usually put them in a sink with some Eucalan but this is also not a bad way to go (and no worries about detritus unless you were rolling in manure before you hit the showers).
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Amby Says:
While I appreciate the multi-tasking and recycling water aspect, I don’t think this is anything I would ever do…especially since I don’t scrub my tub as often as I probably should! Eeek!
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Tikabelle Says:
The only problem I see with this is that dust mites, which a lot of people are allergic to, don’t die at water temps below 130 degrees F and aren’t really affected by soap. Most of us don’t shower at temperatures that high, so washing your socks in the shower doesn’t kill the bugs that cause allergies. I didn’t look into the bugs that cause athelete’s foot, etc., but I’m tempted to suggest that they don’t die easily either given how prevalent they are.
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Sam Says:
Cleary everyone has strong opinions about washing your socks. I haven’t tried this method, but obviously it works for a least a couple people. I do a load of delicates that I hang or layout every week so washing hasn’t been a concern for me. I can see trying it out when I’m traveling though.
As with all tips maybe it’s for you and maybe it’s not. An interesting idea in any case.
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
adminnie Says:
doesn’t anyone remember about a year or so (maybe more, i have no time sense any more) that the yarn harlot actually WEARS her socks in the shower? as far as that goes, who washes their hand knit wool socks in water temps above 130 anyway? as for the soap? maybe those people shouldn’t be wearing anything handwash anyway?
as long as you don’t pee in the shower, i don’t see a problem with it, lol.
Posted on February 5th, 2008 at 10:07 pm