How to wash compression stockings by hand and in the washing machine

How often should you wash compression stockings?

Considering that anti-varicose underwear is recommended to be worn quite often, it should be washed regularly.

Some models require daily washing, but more often than not, two to three times a week is enough to keep the product fresh without compromising its medicinal properties.

Advice: if a phlebologist recommends constant wearing of compression underwear, then it is worth purchasing an additional pair of stockings to reduce the number of washes.

Effect of orthopedic stockings against varicose veins

Compression garments help to establish the proper functioning of the venous system, as well as muscle fibers. Special elastic fibers relieve swelling. Due to external pressure, the diameter of the vein decreases, clogged or narrowed vessels open, which eliminates the risk of reverse flow.

An important role in the wearing process is played by the anatomical pressure exerted on the lower limbs. This only indicates that in the ankle area the density or fit should be maximum, and then smoothly decrease towards the silicone rubber. This helps blood circulate properly from the extremities to the heart and back.

It is impossible to completely get rid of varicose veins using compression garments; you can only improve their condition. Complex effects include wearing orthopedic stockings and tights along with the main treatment. Doctors strongly recommend that women wear such special underwear, even if there are no varicose veins, that is, for preventive purposes.

General rules and recommendations for washing

Maintaining the therapeutic and prophylactic effect of compression stockings after wet cleaning is possible only if the following recommendations are strictly followed:

It is prohibited to use bleaches, stain removers, laundry soap and alkaline SMS, their use can cause chemical damage to the fabric structure;
Do not expose the fabric to any heat during the process of washing or drying the product; thermal effects can seriously damage or deform the fibers;
mechanical impact on the product, such as machine squeezing or manual squeezing with twisting of the fabric, which deforms the frame thread, is unacceptable;
When starting to wash knitwear on your hands, you need to make sure that there are no various decorations on them that can snag the thread and damage it.

Important! Anti-varicose knitwear should not be ironed or dry cleaned.

How to wash compression stockings, choose a detergent

Before starting the process of washing stockings, you must carefully select a suitable product that is effective but gentle.

You can clean the fabric by adding liquid colorless soap, baby powder, shampoo, or gel intended for delicate fabrics.

If you have a choice between a liquid and powder product, then you should choose the first option, because grains of powder may not be completely washed out of the fabric fibers, and if stuck there, they will interfere with the therapeutic effects of the linen.

Advice: Manufacturers of household chemicals have developed special products that allow you to wash compression knitwear as delicately as possible.

Wash by hand

Gentle hand washing is the recommendation of most compression garment manufacturers as the safest option.

But even if you adhere to the recommendations and choose this method of getting rid of contaminants, you must strictly follow the technology.

Washing should be done in water whose temperature does not reach 40 degrees.
The detergent must be added to a bowl of water, until foam forms, and then soak the stockings in the solution for 10 - 15 minutes.
At the end of the specified time, you should carefully and gently, using squeezing movements, crush the fabric in water with detergent dissolved in it.
Rinse the product easily and gently in clean water; if necessary, you can repeat the process several times, changing the water as it gets dirty until it becomes clear without soapy streaks.
It is contraindicated to wring out laundry, so to remove excess water, you can use a thick towel, wrap the item in it, and lightly squeeze it several times so that it absorbs the water.

If the stocking is equipped with a supportive silicone elastic band, then soaking it is not recommended. You should pull the stocking just below the elastic with a lace and wash it so that excess moisture does not get on the elastic. Machine washing of linen with elastic is also not recommended.

Advice: in order for the silicone insert on stockings to properly perform its functions, it must be degreased 1 - 2 times a week, wiping it with alcohol.

Caring for the silicone insert

Today you can often find models with a silicone insert; they are comfortable, but require some attention. The fact is that upon contact with a soap solution, silicone is destroyed. It loses elasticity and becomes stiff. Only rubbing alcohol can clean it safely. To do this, you need to moisten a cotton swab with it and wipe the rubber strip. You can do this 2-3 times a week.

To keep the fixing inserts in their original form and not lose their elasticity, you should pull the stocking up with an elastic band or cord. Then carefully wash the product, trying to prevent soapy water from getting on the silicone insert.

Machine washable

Some models of compression stockings can be washed using a washing machine; to determine whether such treatment is acceptable for a particular product, you need to carefully study the label or care instructions.

If it is not possible to obtain information about the possibility of machine washing, then it is better to abandon this method and prefer the manual method.

Where machine washing is permitted, it should be subject to the following conditions:

the heating temperature of the water in the drum should be below 40 degrees;
it is necessary to set the delicate or hand wash mode;
The automatic spin function must be disabled.

Important! Spinning in a drum, even at the lowest speeds, can seriously damage the carcass thread of the product and deprive it of its therapeutic properties.

Handwash

Stockings can also be washed by hand. This is much safer, since you control the number and intensity of movements yourself. In addition, the method is suitable for all products. True, it will take more time and effort.

First, use the same products as for machine washing. Choose gentle powders or gels, preferably for children. Also, avoid softening compounds; they can ruin the structure of the product. The water temperature is slightly warm.

How to wash by hand:

Do not make sudden movements either when washing or rinsing.
It is prohibited to twist the products! The direction of the fibers should remain even.
When rinsing, first lower the laundry into the basin, then slowly lift it up.
The spin-out is carried out as follows: the stockings are lightly pressed with your palms along the entire length.
You can use a towel for spinning.
The product dries naturally. No batteries, especially no machine drying!
To dry, lay the stockings on a flat surface and leave.

Important When rinsing, do not remove the stockings completely! This can cause them to stretch.

Proper drying

Since compression knitwear cannot be wrung out either manually or using a washing machine, you can remove excess water from the fibers of the product by wrapping it in a towel.

After the towel has absorbed some of the water, you can begin the main drying process, following the following recommendations:

It is allowed to dry stockings only unfolded, on a horizontal, flat surface;
You can put a fabric under the product that absorbs water well; it can be changed as needed to speed up the drying process;
drying should take place in a room with good air circulation;
it is important to ensure that the stockings are not exposed to the open sun;
Do not dry clothes near heating appliances.

Important! It is prohibited to hang the product; stretching of wet fabric will inevitably disable the frame thread and the tightening effect will be lost.

How to dry properly

If you are purchasing stockings for the first time, you will need to put a lot of effort into putting them on.

When putting it on, it is recommended to keep your leg horizontal. This can be tricky, so it's best to wear it like regular hosiery. For convenience, you can follow the procedure:

The stocking should be turned inside out.
Place the stocking on your leg and align it with your foot.
Carefully tighten the product. But, under no circumstances should you twist the stocking when putting it on.
Check for wrinkles; if there are any, straighten them.

Anti-varicose stockings can be washed either by hand or using a washing machine. It should be borne in mind that washing products by hand is always preferable; such processing is more gentle.

If you need to wash anti-varicose socks, stockings or tights, the process will not cause any particular difficulties:

A basin or small bath should be filled with warm water, not hotter than 40 °C. First, the stockings are soaked in water and wait until the material is completely wet. Add a small amount of liquid soap or gentle washing gel to the water; a bottle cap will be enough. Stir the detergent into the basin by hand to obtain a rich foam, then immerse the stockings in water again and leave for 10 minutes. After this, the compression garments begin to be washed with very gentle and gentle movements.

The material should be rubbed with caution, only in the most contaminated places, without exposing it to strong mechanical stress. During processing, try not to lift wet stockings above the water; they can stretch under their own weight.

After a few minutes of washing, start rinsing. To do this, pour fresh, lukewarm water into a basin and rinse the products several times in a row until the water remains clean. It is not recommended to rinse stockings under the tap to avoid stretching.

It is best to wash compression hosiery by hand - it is safer for the products

A very important point is spinning compression garments. Tights or stockings should not be twisted in a knot, as this will quickly render the product unusable. It is only allowed to squeeze the stockings slightly so that the water drains from them, but they must be held so that the products do not stretch out under their own weight.

Attention! You need to wash compression socks correctly without touching the silicone strip at the top. Contaminants are removed from it in another way - before washing, the strip is degreased by wiping with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Although it is recommended to wash compression knitwear by hand, machine processing is also allowed. The main thing is to adhere to certain rules and not expose products to aggressive influences:

Elastic items can only be washed on the delicate cycle for silk or wool fabrics.
The temperature must be set to no more than 40 °C; hot water has a bad effect on the elasticity of the material, shortens the service life of clothing and also damages the silicone strip on stockings.
The detergent for washing compression garments is usually poured into the tray of an automatic machine; liquid gel for delicate fabrics, soap or natural shampoo are suitable. It is not recommended to use powders; it is necessary to categorically exclude bleaches, conditioners and any other additional products, they will only damage therapeutic and prophylactic products.
The spin cycle in the washing machine settings should correspond to the delicate wash mode, or better yet turn it off completely.
The washing machine rinses twice. This will not harm the material if you do not use automatic washing too often, but it will help completely remove the detergent from the fibers of the fabric.

To preserve the healing properties, it is recommended to wash compression stockings for varicose veins in a special water-permeable bag. It will prevent the fabric from stretching during machine processing.

Compression products should be machine washed separately from other items and preferably in a bag.

How to extend the life of compression garments

To ensure that the therapeutic properties and appearance of compression hosiery are not lost over time, you must follow a number of operating rules and adhere to the recommendations in the product care instructions.

The product cannot be worn like ordinary stockings and tights; it must not be stretched in different directions; when putting it on, it should be carefully spread over the leg.
To make the process of putting on compression stockings easier, manufacturers have developed various devices; you can use them if necessary.
To avoid snags and tugs in the fabric, you should use fabric gloves when putting on stockings.
It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the nails and skin on the feet, and promptly get rid of rough calluses that can damage the tissue.

With proper care and compliance with all necessary washing and operating rules, the product will last for a long time, retaining its medicinal properties.

If the recommendations in this article prove useful, share the information with your friends and acquaintances on social networks.

How to put on correctly and recommended wearing mode:

According to the recommendations of phlebologists, compression hosiery must be worn throughout the day.
You need to put it on in the morning, without getting out of bed. If you are advised to use all day, then remove your stockings or tights only in the evening before going to bed. If this is your first time purchasing compression products, you will need some skill when putting them on. Literally the third time you will understand that this process is not so difficult. Before putting it on, we recommend filing your nails and smoothing out any uneven spots on your feet and heels. Although compression hosiery is quite durable, it must be used carefully.

It is recommended to keep your feet horizontal when putting them on, but in real life this is not so easy, especially for older people. Therefore, if you can’t do it, you can lower your legs down and put them on in the same way as regular hosiery;
Turn the stocking inside out, up to the heel;
Insert your foot and line up the stocking over your entire foot;
Gently pull and straighten to the knee, without twisting the product. It is necessary to tighten it;
Next, pull the remaining part from the knee to the thigh;
After this, check for wrinkles and straighten them.

To make it easier to put on the product, you can use rubber gloves, as well as special devices.