Caring For Your Socks and Apparel FAQs

Caring properly for your Lindner Socks will ensure they last for years to come. Over-washing or using harsh detergents or softeners can quickly break down natural materials and use of tumble dryers or dry cleaning will cause shrinking, so keep this in mind when caring for your socks.

For information on how to care for your socks, as well as our scarves, beanies and apparel, please see Caring for Your Socks and Apparel.

Do your socks shrink? 

Due to the natural crimp in wool fibres, our socks will shrink up to 10% when first washed. We have allowed for this shrinkage with our sizing, which is why your new socks may look a little bigger than expected when they arrive.

After their first wash, our socks should not shrink if they are washed in cold water and air dried in the shade. 

If you have accidentally shrunk your socks, you can try to stretch them out while they are still wet. For more information about how to care for your socks, please see Caring for Your Socks and Apparel.

Why do sock heels wear out?

At Lindner Socks we believe the most important part of a sock is the heel. It anchors the sock to the shape of your foot and keeps it where it should be. If the heel is properly formed at the right angle, then there is no need for stretchy synthetics to cling on to your foot and ankle. Many modern socks are formed with a heel angle of 120 degrees. Lindner Socks are constructed with a heel angle of about 100 degrees, to keep them well-fitted to your feet.

Modern, mass production of socks has become very time-efficient, however following the angles of your feet and legs doesn’t seem to be high on the priority list in many cases. The L-shape from leg to foot is a rare thing, but when you start walking and your socks start to get eaten by your shoes, you can be assured the heel shape has a lot to answer for. 

The key to getting socks to last longer is to minimise movement. More movement means more friction, which has potential to cause blisters, and it also starts to pull fibres apart. A well-shaped heel is a major factor in minimising movement, as it effectively anchors socks into place on your feet. 

For more information on why our traditional sock making techniques are superior to mass production, please see Sock Construction.