How to get the soap residue out of socks

[peregrina2000]

I typically wash my clothes by hand with a bar of Lagarto soap. It’s non-chemical and is the soap I was introduced to back in Spain in the 70s.

When you wash clothes by hand, you typically rub the soap directly onto the fabrics you are washing. I find that this has made my smartwood socks stiff, so I’m assuming that the soap has somehow attached to the fibers of the socks. I’ve put them through several cycles on the washing machine, and no change. Does anyone have any good ideas about how to get that residue out?

 

[C clearly]

Here I am speaking with no knowledge - that is allowed here on the forum, isn't it? It might not be residue. It might be wear and tear on the wool fibers, even to the point of mild felting. Merino wool tends not to do that, but you put a lot of km of wear and tear on those socks!

 

[CalgaryLynn]

I was interested in your question so I check the SmartWool website and they mentioned that one should never wring or twist the socks when attempting to get the water out. If hand washing, I am assuming that is how one would get the water out. It can contribute to a felting of the socks.

 

[trecile]

I wonder if a vinegar rinse would be helpful, since soap is made from fat, and vinegar can cut through that.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

It might not be residue. It might be wear and tear on the wool fibers, even to the point of mild felting.

This sock company has a substantial webpage on sock care, washing (by hand and machine), drying and storing.

How To Wash Wool Socks for Optimal Care: Expert Tips

Wool socks are a fantastic investment for your feet, providing unmatched comfort, warmth, and durability. However, to maintain their quality and maximize their lifespan, it's crucial to know how to wash wool socks properly. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps and provide...

www.qforquinn.com

Looks like @C clearly knows what is going on; here's a snippet about mistakes to avoid from the webpage:

• Aggressive Rubbing or Scrubbing: This can damage the wool fibers and cause pilling or felting. Always handle your wool socks gently, especially when hand washing.
• Using Harsh Detergents: Harsh detergents can strip the natural oils from the wool, making it feel rough and dry. Always use a mild, wool-friendly detergent.

 

[Tincatinker]

The old Boy Scout method of banging them on the tent pole or a smaller Scout’s head is not to be recommended but a cool tumble dryer with 3 or 4 tennis balls added may help. (Start it up and go for a walk. The noise is extraordinary).

 

[Joynz]

Do they still have ‘stretch’ in them or have they thickened as well as become almost impossible to stretch width-ways? Do they soften up on wearing?

They may have ‘felted’.
This happens to my socks if I use water that’s more than lukewarm - or if they get spun in the washing machine.

If the rinse water no longer feels soapy, then I think it’s not the soap. And if it’s bar laundry soap, then that’s probably pretty natural and OK for wool.

 

[Sirage]

Here I am speaking with no knowledge - that is allowed here on the forum, isn't it?

Notwithstanding your emoji and status as a moderator, and as I have no say on what is allowed, I find there is too much "no knowledge" on the forum. There are threads where people want information, and there are other threads where "no knowledge" is obviously part of the banter, or slightly intoxicated ramblings (like they probably do whilst on a Camino) of people filling in time before their next Camino, et al.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I use savon de Marseilles -- and I've never had this problem.

If it's just the socks and no other clothing, I'd say it's possibly either some consequence of wear and tear on the socks, or some weird interaction between those particular socks and that particular soap.

 

[peregrina2000]

Notwithstanding your emoji and status as a moderator, and as I have no say on what is allowed, I find there is too much "no knowledge" on the forum. There are threads where people want information, and there are other threads where "no knowledge" is obviously part of the banter, or slightly intoxicated ramblings (like they probably do whilst on a Camino) of people filling in time before their next Camino, et al.

I think that’s harsh, @Sirage. I threw out a question whose answer I could not find on google, and people threw back some theories that might explain what was going on. No harm done here, it seems to me - no one is advocating illegal or immoral action, no one is tellling me I’m stupid, no one is violating any forum rule that I can think of.

And in the end, my guess is that those who are suggesting that it was “felting” going on are right. As I stayed in private places this camino, I had access to hot water to wash my clothes, and I should have remembered that hot water and wool do not mix well. I am going to try some of the other suggestions since they can’t hurt, though!

 

[Turga]

I should have remembered that hot water and wool do not mix well.

This winter I bought a nice, thick 100% pure wool Norwegian sweater. It came with extensive instructions on how to care for it and wash it. I also always thought that hot washing and wool were no-go, so what surprised me was that the instructions said, that if needed it can be washed at 60 C and even hotter as long as you do not rub or scrub or wring it or in general expose it to ‘rough handling’. That is why washing machine wool-cycles only moves the wool clothes very slow and gently. After warm washing, it should be ‘flat dried’ and gently pulled into shape. This indicates that it is the ‘rough handling’ and not the heat that is the problem.

 

[J Willhaus]

You might also try rinsing a few times in soft water. That may reduce any soap residue. I know my clothes, hair and skin always feel better and softer after a few days at my Dad's house where they use a water softener.

 

[J Willhaus]

If you are in a private room with a towel, wringing out can be accomplished by rolling up wet clothes in the towel and squeezing to reduce the Wringing.

 

[Derek Booth]

I use savon de Marseilles -- and I've never had this problem.

If it's just the socks and no other clothing, I'd say it's possibly either some consequence of wear and tear on the socks, or some weird interaction between those particular socks and that particular soap.

I second the use of Mareilles soap. Bought every time we visit France, along with bleach tablets, (but that's another story)

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I also always thought that hot washing and wool were no-go, so what surprised me was that the instructions said, that if needed it can be washed at 60 C and even hotter as long as you do not rub or scrub or wring it or in general expose it to ‘rough handling’.

Makes sense.

From filzfelt.com

Felting (Filzen)
The outer skeleton of each fiber is made up of the overlapping scales. When heat and moisture is introduced, the scales on the fibers raise and open up. The agitation then interlocks the fibers as the scales hook into one another to form a strong, resilient bond.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Have you ever tried a post wash soak in straightforward hair conditioner followed by a rinse?

Serious suggestion, it rescued a (very expensive) cashmere sweater that was machine washed by mistake. Apparently it "relaxes" the fibres.

Worth trying anyway.

 

[Scott Sweeney]

I typically wash my clothes by hand with a bar of Lagarto soap. It’s non-chemical and is the soap I was introduced to back in Spain in the 70s.

When you wash clothes by hand, you typically rub the soap directly onto the fabrics you are washing. I find that this has made my smartwood socks stiff, so I’m assuming that the soap has somehow attached to the fibers of the socks. I’ve put them through several cycles on the washing machine, and no change. Does anyone have any good ideas about how to get that residue out?

Try rinsing them in hair conditioner.

 

[mattythedog]

I typically wash my clothes by hand with a bar of Lagarto soap. It’s non-chemical and is the soap I was introduced to back in Spain in the 70s.

When you wash clothes by hand, you typically rub the soap directly onto the fabrics you are washing. I find that this has made my smartwood socks stiff, so I’m assuming that the soap has somehow attached to the fibers of the socks. I’ve put them through several cycles on the washing machine, and no change. Does anyone have any good ideas about how to get that residue out?

Been wearing smart wool socks for years and hand wash every night with any liquid hand soap, shampoo, dish detergent available. After scrubbing, I hold each sock on the faucet and rinse full blast, then wring the S…t out of them. Never had an issue

 

[Dov of the Galilee]

I was interested in your question so I check the SmartWool website and they mentioned that one should never wring or twist the socks when attempting to get the water out. If hand washing, I am assuming that is how one would get the water out. It can contribute to a felting of the socks.

I am so thankful to Read this

 

[C clearly]

There is wool, and there is wool - a big variety of fibres and processing methods. In general, I am cautious as I test the washability of an item. However, for camino items I only want items that can withstand camino washing, so I prequalify them by throwing them into the washer and dryer, all colours mixed. If they survive OK, they can come on the Camino with me. Of course, eventually they will succomb to wear and tear.

 

[Freewalker]

Hi Laurie
Maybe this will help ?! It's worth a try !

How to Fix Felted Wool: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Some wool items are so delicate that even just washing them in the wrong temperature water can make them bunch up and shrink, which creates what's called felted wool. If your wool has felted, it's not completely ruined! You can gently and...

www.wikihow.com

 

[Kathy F.]

A salesperson at REI advised me to always turn the socks inside out before washing in the machine. I always put them in a lingerie bag and I don't put them in the dryer. I wash them in the machine with regular laundry (warm water).

On the Camino, I also use Lagarto soap - I use it here at home for all hand washing. I brought a few bars back with me - my idea of a Camino souvenir .

Treat yourself to a nice, soft new pair of socks.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Hi Laurie
Maybe this will help ?! It's worth a try !

Yes, Part 1 is exactly what we did - worked a treat.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Hi @peregrina2000 , you have assumed that the stiffness is caused by soap residue, the stiffness could also be caused by a lack of the natural lanolin that has been washed out.

The hair conditioner posts are probably on the right track but that would add artificial oils.

Personally, I would try adding natural lanolin as that is what the Merino wool had in it from the beginning and is the oil responsible for the waterproofing, softness and ability to not get stinky with lots of use.

Look for natural lanolin on the Internet.

One possible source is https://www.nznaturally.nz/products...8mSb4MAbhq73SoisK9GWF70e-MwMaFSQaAtOWEALw_wcB

 

[TheRealPixie]

If you are in a private room with a towel, wringing out can be accomplished by rolling up wet clothes in the towel and squeezing to reduce the Wringing.

As a knitter. This is the recommended way of drying wool garments. Water pressed out in a clean towel and then lain flat to dry.

I also always thought that hot washing and wool were no-go, so what surprised me was that the instructions said, that if needed it can be washed at 60 C and even hotter as long as you do not rub or scrub or wring it or in general expose it to ‘rough handling’.

It is generally a no-go. But if your instructions say it's ok, it's ok. It's possible the wool used in your sweater is "super wash" wool in which the wool/yarn fibers are cleaned and treated to be more washable once knit up.

That being said, I have never treated my Smart Wool brand socks with care and they go in the wash and dryer with everything else. LOL! But I would NEVER do that with my hand knits.

 

[EricJR]

this has made my smartwood socks stiff

That's your issue right there... They're made of wood!
In future, buy socks made of a soft wood like pine or spruce.

 

[Theresa Brandon]

Try soaking them with a teaspoon of Eucalan, no Rinse. It adds lanolin back into the wool.

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Try rinsing them in hair conditioner.

Whenever we buy wool scarves, wool beret or wool sweater we always soak them in conditioner. Wool is hair.

 

[TheRealPixie]

Whenever we buy wool scarves, wool beret or wool sweater we always soak them in conditioner. Wool is hair.

I use a shampoo/conditioner combo product to wash my woolens. Because you are right! Wool is hair.

 

[anoldfireman]

I typically wash my clothes by hand with a bar of Lagarto soap. It’s non-chemical and is the soap I was introduced to back in Spain in the 70s.

When you wash clothes by hand, you typically rub the soap directly onto the fabrics you are washing. I find that this has made my smartwood socks stiff, so I’m assuming that the soap has somehow attached to the fibers of the socks. I’ve put them through several cycles on the washing machine, and no change. Does anyone have any good ideas about how to get that residue out?

Ingredients in the soap is:
Sodium Tallowate, Aqua, Glycerin, Parfum, D-Limonene,Phosphoric Acid, Tetrasodium Dicarboxymethyl glutamate, colorant, [nitrilotris(methylene)]trisphosphonic acid, potassium salt.

So main ingredient is Animal Fat and Lye-
Animal fat can easily build up a residue, especially on wool and natural fibers-
Hard to remove unless you find something that can cut animal fat without effecting the fibers.
The soap says “all natural” because it is- ….natural animal fat that has been used for centuries-
A modern glycerine soap is better- of you want to stay true to tradition then Use Castile soap-
Developed in Spain in like the 12th century- made from Vegetable- Olive, coconut, etc
Less residue with plant based soaps-
You can use any acid like lemon juice to break down any residue from Castille soap-
Anyway, good luck and pass it on

 

[El Cascayal]

Laurie, if your socks are dead, then, lucky for you, there are all sorts of sales going on right now. Darn tough are damn good and you could send them back for proper burial and they would send you new ones.
Edit: perhaps it’s the soap.