Wool Sock Care Guide: Washing, Drying, Shrinkage & Felting

Good socks. Simple care.

Premium natural fibers don't have to mean complicated laundry. Our bison fiber doesn't shrink, and we use preshrunk merino wool. Our socks, including our yak-down Sleep Socks, can be washed and dried in machines. You don't need to treat them like an untreated wool sweater.

This guide focuses on two favorites: The B.O.S.S. and Sleep Socks. Always check the instructions supplied with your particular pair, especially if you're caring for an older style.

The B.O.S.S.: bison, merino, and bamboo

The B.O.S.S. - Ultralight Gear Short Sock uses a base yarn of 34% American bison down, 33% merino wool, and 33% bamboo. Its finished composition is 24% American bison down, 24% merino wool, 24% bamboo, 23% nylon, 3% polyester, and 2% Lycra spandex. Base-yarn percentages describe the yarn blend, not the entire finished sock.

The product's washing instructions are straightforward: machine wash on warm or cool, then toss the socks in the dryer.

Sleep Socks: yak-down comfort, machine-friendly care

Sleep Socks use a 70% yak down and 30% nylon base yarn. The finished sock contains 55% yak down, 42% nylon, 2% spandex, and 1% polyester. Their soft, loose cuff is designed for comfortable wear without a restrictive fit around the ankle.

Sleep Socks can also be machine washed and machine dried. Yak down is a different fiber from bison down, so don't confuse the two blends, but neither pair needs a hand-wash-only routine.

How to wash your socks

1. Check the care instructions for the pair you're washing.
2. For The B.O.S.S., use a warm or cool machine wash, as specified on its product page.
3. Machine wash Sleep Socks following the instructions supplied with your pair.
4. Machine dry both styles. Hand washing and air drying are optional, not requirements for these socks.

Our machine-wash-and-dry guidance doesn't require inventing a special dryer temperature. Follow any settings specified with your pair.

Will bison wool socks shrink?

Our bison fiber doesn't shrink, and the merino wool we use is preshrunk. The B.O.S.S. is designed to go through the washer and dryer. Generic warnings about untreated wool shrinking in the laundry aren't the right care instructions for this sock.

That isn't a reason to apply the same instructions to every wool product you own. Fiber blends and manufacturing processes differ. Use the instructions for the actual product, rather than assuming every natural-fiber sock needs identical care.

What is felting?

Felting is the matting and interlocking of animal fibers into a denser fabric. It's useful when intentionally making felt, but it's not a goal when laundering socks.

The important distinction here is between general wool-care advice and the care guidance for our finished socks. The B.O.S.S. uses bison fiber and preshrunk merino, and both The B.O.S.S. and Sleep Socks are machine washable and machine dryable. We don't recommend a hand-wash-only routine or claim that one dryer cycle will ruin them.

How should you dry these socks?

Use the dryer for The B.O.S.S. and Sleep Socks, following the instructions supplied with your pair. If you prefer to air dry, that's an alternative, not a requirement. Let socks dry completely before storing them.

Small habits that help extend sock life

Machine-friendly care keeps laundry simple. A few practical habits can also help reduce avoidable wear: rotate between pairs, check shoes for rough seams or debris, keep toenails smooth, and avoid pulling hard on the cuff when putting socks on.

Store clean, dry socks loosely rather than stretching one cuff over a bulky bundle. Check heels and toes occasionally so you can notice wear before a small thin spot becomes a hole.

Quick sock-care answers

Can I put The B.O.S.S. in the washing machine?

Yes. Machine wash warm or cool, then machine dry.

Can Sleep Socks go in the dryer?

Yes. Our yak-down Sleep Socks can be machine washed and dried.

Do I have to hand wash your socks?

No, not these two styles. They are made for machine washing and drying.

Is the base-yarn blend the same as the finished sock's fiber content?

No. The finished sock also includes fibers used for reinforcement, structure, and stretch. That's why the two sets of percentages differ.

Should I use this guide for every wool sock?

No. Follow the instructions for your particular product. Our bison fiber and preshrunk merino make a difference, and another manufacturer's socks may need different care.

Find your next everyday pair

Explore the Bison Fiber Socks collection for more styles, choose The B.O.S.S. for a cushioned short sock, or settle into the soft comfort of Sleep Socks.