How to Care for Your Compression Stockings to Make Them Last Longer

Compression stockings are something you wear for the rest of your life and are a great benefit for your legs and your circulation. As with many things, one must take good care for compression wear so that they are still functional and can last as long as necessary. Here are the proper ways of washing the compression stockings and some tips you should consider on how to avoid those typical wrongdoing and extend the usefulness of your stockings.

1. The Importance of Proper Washing

It is important to wash your compression stockings properly so that a proper elasticity of the garments can be maintained. With time, the fabric is subjected to oils, sweat, dirt among other things which affects its ability to compress. This is because washing maintains the stockings by eradicating such residues on a regular basis so that they effectively operate in the best manner as anticipated.

Washing of hands also brings the question, how many times a day should it be done? It all depends on how often you use the two items of clothing. If you wear them on a daily basis, it is recommended that you wash them as soon as you are done with them. This may sound like a lot, but washing often is far better for the fabric and the skin as it reduces bacteria build up which inevitably causes skin reactions.

2. Best Practices for Washing Compression Stockings

In alternative, washing of the compression stockings should be very careful since they are special garments. Hand washing is usually preferable because it gives the individual direct control over the amount of pressure applied to the fabric so reducing the possibility of fabric damage. Do not expose the garment to hot water and washing soap which will have an aggressive nature that could damage the fibers.

For machine washing, you need to put stockings into a mesh laundry bag to avoid their deformation and getting caught on other garments. You'd better wash stockings using a delicate cycle with cold or lukewarm water and a gentle detergent. These should not be used because bleach and fabric softeners make the stockings less stretchy.

3. Drying Techniques: Avoiding Heat Damage

If compression stockings are not dried properly then they can hold moisture and this is equally wrong like washing them. As for the stockings, the excessive heat weakens the elastic fibres and as a result – the compression and the life span of the products. To dry your stockings, avoid using a dryer, and instead spread them flat on a clean dry towel and roll the stockings to get the water eliminated. Then, spread these to a flat surface in a cool and shaded area to dry the clothes naturally.

Tumble or line they are; however it is advisable not to hang them up to dry since this will cause the fabric to stretch. Do not twist your stockings as this will twist and weaken the fibers by wringing the stockings. This is where patience comes in; make sure to allow them dry on their own so that the pillows retain their shape as well as the compression.

4. Storing Your Compression Stockings Correctly

The other thing that you need to do when taking care of your compression stockings is to store them adequately. When not in use, wash and dry them, and store them in a cool and dry place where their exposure to sunlight or any other heat sources is prohibited since they have a tendency of weakening the fibers of the products. It is, however, important not to stretch them out by ironing or folding them neatly or rolling them up.

It is preferred, if the stockings can be rolled or folded and then placed in a dresser rather than being hung. This helps in maintaining their shape and ability to compress and release. It is also important not to store them where they can get in contact with moisture since this will cause mold or mildew and would even worsen the quality of the fabric.

5. How to Handle Your Compression Stockings Gently

Wearing and removing your compression stockings can be a rather sensitive affair particularly if it is a high compression hosiery. Pressure should not be applied in excess while elongating this material since this will create snags, tears or over stretching which will lower their efficiency.

On the occasions that you need to wear them, first place the stocking inside-out up to its heel part then insert your foot and gently pull the stocking to the top part of your leg. Iron out any crease as you work in order that the surface to be compressed is evenly flat. Other techniques also involve the use of donning aids like gloves particularly if the garment is to have a fitted dimension of a stocking donner for instance.

6. Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your Compression Stockings

Regardless of how carefully you use the compression stockings they do not last a lifetime. For a long time, they remain functional, but then certain signs will appear which would suggest that they need to be replaced. Symptoms that may be seen include decrease in the elasticity of the fabric, reduction in thickness or the presence of defects such as runs or holes and the like.

In another case, if you find that the stockings no longer give you the level of compression that they used to or they have a tendency of slipping down your legs then it simply means that they are no longer as effective as before. General advice is that the compression stockings should be changed every 3-6 months or as frequently as the user washes them or as frequently as they are used, whichever comes first.

7. Extending the Life of Your Compression Stockings Through Rotation

It is also important to know that while using the compression stockings you should have more than one pair to avoid overusing one pair. This means that any given pair is used less frequently thus giving the fibers a chance to regain their original texture. Rotating your stockings also means that you will have fresh pairs when the others in the washing cycle and drying.

Purchasing just a couple of pairs might set you back a bit more in debt, but it might well prove less expensive in the long term since it means each and every pair lasts even longer. Also, you will always have a spare when one pair is lost or damaged you don’t have to struggle.

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Caring for Compression Stockings

While compression stockings are easier to wear than the ordinary one, there are some important mistakes that should not be made in order to increase their lifespan. Among them, the common mistakes are using softening agents or chlorine bleach products that make the elasticity of fibers reduce. The first one is towards the act of wringing out the stockings, a process that alters the shape of the stockings, and thus their function.

Another common mistake is putting your stockings in a dryer or iron them and both methods put them in very high heat. There should be no cases where the fabrics are exposed to direct heat and one should always stick to air drying. Last but not least, do not be too rough when putting on or removing your stockings as your nail or the jewelry that you have on hand will snag your stockings.

9. How to Travel with Compression Stockings

When traveling it is important to plan a way through which the compression stockings will remain in good shape. When packing compression socks for travel, fold or roll them carefully, and put them in some sort of a pouch or sack and these are unlikely to get crushed in your suitcase. If you are traveling by airplane, then it is recommended to wear them during the flight to reduce the risk of developing swelling as well as stimulate blood circulation.

When you get to your destination, you should continue washing yourself and drying in the same manner as you do at home. If you are on a multiday trip you may opt to carry a couple so that you can alternate between them so as to always put on a clean and effective one.

10. Understanding the Lifespan of Compression Stockings

The lifespan of your compression stockings is determined by frequency of usage, usage frequency and the quality of the compression stockings. It is also important to recognize that on an average a pair when used with proper care should last for anywhere between 3 months to 6 months. Nevertheless, careful maintenance of quality stocking makes it possible for the stockings to last long.

If you want to have the best result when using your compression stockings you should be observant to signs that the stockings are not as effective as they were when new and replace them when this happens. If you are a professional woman or man who is concerned about the overall appeal and support of your stockings, then it is high time that you start embracing the above care tips that will help you to make your stocking’s last longer:

Conclusion

It is important to note that having to tend to your compression stockings is not as hard as one would think. Taking your time to wash with different washing aids as well as dry your stocking properly and also handling them carefully you can be in a position to use your stockings for a number of months. So if you do not want to spend a lot of cash attending to ailing health-related problems that can be caused by these appliances then avoid the common mistakes discussed above and also know when it is time to replace the appliances. You must know that beautiful, clean and silky compression stockings are for health too; not just to look good!