Caring for Your Wool Socks & Clothing

Like you, we’d rather be outside playing than inside doing laundry. So we’ve made most of our products easy care; you can throw them in the washer and the dryer right along with the rest of your clothes.

How to Wash Wool Socks

  1. Turn socks inside-out.
  2. Machine wash on gentle cycle in warm or cool water.
  3. Use mild soap; no bleach or fabric softener.
  4. Tumble dry on low setting.

Wool clothing doesn’t need to be washed as often as clothes made from other fibers. Since it doesn’t trap odors, a good airing out or spot-clean may be all you need for several wearings.

When it comes to heat settings, don’t wash wool in hot water or dry on a medium to high setting. Heat may shrink wool. If you air dry your wool clothes, lay them flat, as hanging wet wool will distort the shape. If the shape does change, use you hands to gently re-shape it while still damp.

Wool clothing is durable, so your pieces will last a long time with proper care and storage.

How to Clean Base Layers and Other Clothing

To wash your wool base layers, follow the instructions above.

Midlayers, other apparel, and accessories may be made of mixed materials, such as wool and polyester. Most Smartwool clothing is machine-washable, but it’s important to check the tag on each garment for best results.

Some clothing, such as jackets, may contain a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish. Accumulation of dirt and oils can make DWR less water repellent, so occasional cleaning may make your clothes more effective against rain. However, the DWR treatment will eventually wash off with repeated laundering and will need to be re-applied later.

How to Store Wool Socks & Wool Clothes

    Here are several tips to help you pack away your heavy winter layers for the summer (or vice versa):
  1. Make sure they are clean first. Moths are attracted to body and food smells left in the fibers after wearing.
  2. Store socks flat, not rolled into balls. Balling up socks can distort the shape. It’s a good idea to store sweaters flat too.
  3. Use plastic bags or boxes. These do the best job of keeping your clothes in tip-top condition, but they don’t allow them to breathe. If your wool clothes are in storage for a year or more, air them out for a while before re-packing for storage.
  4. Include some cedar. The heartwood of cedar helps keep out moths and other creatures that might harm your hibernating clothes.

Wool Care FAQ

Can I iron my wool clothes?
Items that are made of 100% wool can be ironed on a low setting. It’s best to turn the item inside out. Apparel made from a blend of wool and synthetic fibers shouldn’t be ironed. We recommend steaming them to get any wrinkles out. Be sure to check the care instructions tag on each garment.

Can I dry clean my wool clothes?
Sometimes… again, be sure to check the tag on the individual item. Most wool clothes can be dry cleaned, but keep in mind that dry cleaning reduces the lifespan of any garment.

Can I bleach wool products?
Step away from the bleach….
Chlorine will destroy the Merino wool fibers that make up Smartwool products.

Why can’t I use fabric softener?
We recommend you do not use fabric softeners on your wool socks and clothes, because they coat the Merino wool fibers and reduce the fibers’ ability to naturally manage moisture and regulate your body temperature.

What if I get a hole in my sock?
Our products are designed to live up to your greatest adventures, so if you do get a hole or aren’t completely satisfied with your Smartwool product, we have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re pretty crafty and want to mend your sock yourself, grab a needle and yarn and try darning the sock. There are some pretty good videos online if you need pointers.

Why choose wool?
Merino wool breathes and manages moisture better than any other fiber. Because of wool’s ability to effectively manage moisture, odor-causing bacteria don’t have the moist environment they need to thrive. Learn many more benefits of Merino wool.

How much wool is in Smartwool products?
Every product is different and the contents might change slightly over time. Many Smartwool products are made of 100% merino wool, while some are blended with other materials for maximum performance. For specific content information, check out the product’s packaging.