Keeping Kilt Hose From Shrinking Too Much

[auld argonian]

I'd be suprised if you were being plagued by "stinkfoot" (see also: Zappa, Frank Apostrophe Bizarre Records, 1972)...if you were wearing wool socks. I've been led to believe that the wicking action of the wool pretty much deprived the responsible bacteria of their sustenance. One of the reasons that I wear wool socks year round.

Incidentally, one of the most goofy (but effective) tips for minimalist camping and hiking that I've ever heard is the three-sock theory. This states that all you need is three socks when you go out in the field. The first day you wear two - left and right. The next day you transfer the sock from the right foot to the left foot and put the new, unused sock on the right foot...you wash out the used sock which was previously on the left foot and hang it from your backpack frame to dry in the fresh air and sunshine while you trek to your next camp. The next day you repeat the process with the washed and dried sock from your pack frame becoming the fresh sock. This saves you having to carry a whole supply of socks thus making room for the granola, whiskey and camping espresso maker that you'll be lugging along.

Best

AA

[GlassMan]

Personally I use those Dryell home dry-cleaning bags & clothes for my wool socks and kilts and they seem to do a great job of getting them clean and fresh smelling without any damage or shrinkage whatsoever.

And I did manage to get some shrunken kilt socks back to size. Actually the wound up longer than the original! I took one of those hangers with the two clips and hung one sock from each clip. Then while the socks were hanging I steamed them with my steam cleaner. The sheer weight of the wool caused the socks to elongate back to the proper size. While they were cooling I slipped my arm down them to make sure they widened up enough for my calves, and poof I had my shrunken kilt socks back to size.

[Riverkilt]

Wow! Is this a great board or what!?

Thanks for the three sock program, and STEAM?? Never woulda thunk that on my own....gonna try it with my shrunker kilt hose...

Ron

[KiltedKnight]

Does anybody here handwashes his kilt hose? I wahs them with a little woolite and cold water, let them soak, then rinse them and air dry them. This will keep them from shrinking as well.

This exactly how I've washed my kilt hose for many years, it's the safest way. the only pair of kilt hose that I've ever lost was one that I put into the hamper by mistake and my better half washed them in the machine and dried them in the dryer, they made a great gift for a newborn baby after that... :mrgreen:

[Colin]

This exactly how I've washed my kilt hose for many years, it's the safest way. the only pair of kilt hose that I've ever lost was one that I put into the hamper by mistake and my better half washed them in the machine and dried them in the dryer, they made a great gift for a newborn baby after that... :mrgreen:

I washed my first pair in the washer,gave those one to my 4 year old son, and now only handwash my hose. They dry in no time and feel and fit better after.