They protect veins during sports, during pregnancy, after childbirth, and if you are overweight.
Like any item of clothing, they need timely washing. This process has a number of nuances, without which you can easily ruin an expensive product.
Is it possible and how to properly wash compression stockings (for varicose veins, with silicone elastic, etc.) in a washing machine, why do this every day, read the article.
Is it possible?
When worn, compression stockings come into direct contact with the skin, so dead, keratinized particles, as well as dust and small specks, accumulate on them .
They gradually clog and burst the cells between the fibers, they become deformed, and the stretching properties of the knitwear deteriorate.
The lower part is worn on the foot, on which there are a large number of sweat glands and profuse sweating occurs.
To maintain cleanliness and hygiene, stockings can and should be washed periodically. Many manufacturers prohibit machine washing of their products , as indicated on the packaging.
If there is no such data, then machine washing is allowed, but subject to strict adherence to the rules. When washing by hand, it is necessary to take into account a number of nuances, which will be discussed in more detail in the article.
What are compression stockings?
When carrying out compression therapy, elastic bandages were initially used, which require strict adherence to the bandaging technique and constant monitoring of their correct application. While a person walks and moves, the bandages will inevitably gradually slide off the leg, forming constrictions. To ensure the best effect and comfort from using elastic bandages, it is sometimes necessary to “re-bandage” them up to 10 times a day.
The appearance of elastic compression stockings with graduated pressure in medical practice made it possible to forget about all the disadvantages and inconveniences of using bandages. At the same time, high-quality products not only allow you to solve medical problems, provide wearing comfort and give lightness to your feet, but also have a rather attractive appearance. This makes it possible to apply them more freely in everyday life.
Compression products (latex-based or silicone stockings) are an integral part of conservative therapy in conditions of venous and lymphatic insufficiency of the lower extremities, including:
- varicose veins;
- lymphedema;
- venous eczema;
- deep vein thrombosis;
- postthrombotic syndrome.
Unlike regular women's stockings, compression products are manufactured to strict medical and technical specifications, including strength and durability. The pressure of the stocking is distributed in such a way that the greatest compression is in the ankle joint. It gradually decreases from the lower leg to the thigh. The pressure gradient ensures that blood flows upward through the veins, towards the heart, as it should.
Why do this every day?
First of all, you need to pay attention to the information indicated on the packaging . Conscientious manufacturers indicate the basic rules for caring for the product - washing frequency, water temperature, detergent and others.
If there is no such information, then you need to wash the stockings as they get dirty or once every 1-2 days. When applying medicinal or caring creams to the skin of the feet, daily washing is prescribed.
Reminder for proper care of compression garments:
Selection of detergent
To wash compression stockings, you must use soft detergents:
- baby soap, preferably liquid or shampoo;
- liquid (gel) for cleaning delicate fabrics;
- liquid soap with natural foaming components.
Some manufacturers of shapewear also make washing liquids for their products.
The following products can be used for manual and automatic washing:
| Name | Description |
| Burti Liquid | Product from a knitwear manufacturer. Qualitatively removes dirt, stains, protein contaminants in warm water. Hypoallergenic. Preserves fiber structure. Economical. Prevents the formation of pellets. |
| ERGOFORMA | Designed specifically for stretch knitwear. Surfactants remove the most severe contaminants without damaging the fibers. Extends the service life of the product. |
| Ofa Bamberg | Economical, does not contain flavors or perfumes. The composition includes surfactants, deol, bromine, which help maintain the elasticity of the fibers. |
| Villi | Does not contain aggressive substances. Suitable for caring for delicate fabrics. Helps maintain compression properties. Removes dirt gently without damaging the fibers. Product consumption is average. |
| Luomma Idealista “IDEALISTA” | The product contains organic substances. Maintains compression and acts as an antistatic agent. Economical. |
| Perwoll Advanced Sport | Suitable for delicate washing. The surfactants included in the composition do not have an aggressive effect on knitwear. Consumption is average. |
| Heitmann Spezial-Waschpflege | Care product for elastic sportswear, also suitable for shapewear. Does not contain aggressive components. The composition includes lanolin, which cares for elastic fibers. |
It is not advisable to use:
any powders, since their grains can destroy the structure of elastic tissues;- products containing aggressive, potent chemical components - solvents, bleaches;
- conditioners, rinses;
- laundry soap, which contains fatty acids that damage the elastic fibers of knitwear.
Having selected the appropriate product, you need to choose a washing option.
Recommendations
To extend service life, experts provide the following recommendations:
- Lingerie can only be purchased in special stores or salons, so as not to stumble upon a fake.
- When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the packaging; the compression class should be indicated there. Some people confuse it with the DEN number.
- When choosing compression garments, it is better to trust well-known brands. They produce high-quality and comfortable products.
- Caution should be exercised when shopping online. The size and compression class may be selected incorrectly.
- It is better to consult a doctor before use. He must familiarize himself with the list of all contraindications and possible complications.
- You can buy two or three pairs of stockings. This will significantly increase the service life of each of them and protect against unforeseen situations.
- The product should be stored in a dry and dark place, then the therapeutic effect will be preserved.
Compression hosiery is a medical product that meets certain quality standards. Its healing properties are important: it normalizes blood flow in the legs, improves tissue nutrition, and relieves swelling. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to the care of this product.
Which is correct?
Some manufacturers indicate in the care instructions for stockings that they cannot be washed with other clothes. In this case, it is not advisable to use machine wash.
If you have other clothes that need to be washed in a delicate cycle, then you can wash your stockings, after placing them in a special bag.
You can purchase it at a hardware store or sew it yourself from fabric with a large weave.
In the washing machine
Washing is carried out in stages:
- Place the stockings in a mesh bag. This will help prevent snags from possible contact with the drum walls or other clothing.
- Pour detergent into the compartment.
- Set the selected mode - “Hand” or “Delicate” wash. The optimal water temperature is 30-40 ⁰C, unless otherwise specified by the stocking manufacturer.
- After finishing washing, do not use the spin mode, even at the lowest speed. It is also prohibited to use the “Drying” and “Pre-ironing” modes.
- Gently squeeze out excess water and lay the product out to dry.
Handwash
The best way to hygienically care for compression stockings is to hand wash them. This is more economical - it saves water, detergents, and electricity. In addition, during a manual procedure there is less chance of damage to the fibers and loss of tightening properties .
If you have a long, pointed manicure, it is advisable to use gloves during washing to protect the stockings from damage.
The procedure is also carried out in warm water – 30-40 ⁰C, using soft means according to the algorithm:
Fill a container (basin) with warm water.- Add laundry detergent, dissolve it thoroughly, and foam.
- Soak the product for 10-15 minutes.
- The washing process should occur carefully, without sudden movements, strong friction or twisting of the product.
- Drain dirty soapy water.
- Pour cool water into the container and rinse the stockings thoroughly. The water is changed until no more traces of detergent appear in it.
- Squeeze the product carefully, without twisting or deforming. You can leave the stockings in a clean sink for 10-15 minutes to drain off excess water.
- Send the knitwear to dry.
It is undesirable to allow the fabric to become heavily soiled or stains to appear, since stockings should not be subjected to active mechanical stress or chemical stain removers should be used.
Washing frequency
Anti-varicose stockings get dirty quite quickly. It is not recommended to wash compression underwear every day - this will cause the products to lose their healing properties much faster. The acceptable frequency is two to three washes per week, but less often is better. It is necessary to focus on the degree of contamination of things.
Of course, there are situations when you have to break the frequency. For example, when wearing compression stockings after surgery. Then you can wash the anti-varicose linen daily for a couple of weeks.
For people who suffer from varicose veins or have a tendency to edema, it is better to have several pairs of compression socks. In this case, you have to wear supportive underwear constantly, and replaceable stockings will allow you not to do laundry every day, but also not to wear dirty clothes.
Process features for products with silicone rubber
When washing products with silicone rubber, you should consider the following nuances:
- Silicone can lose its elasticity from water and detergents, so these stockings can only be washed by hand.
- To prevent water from rising up the silicone through the fibers, its path must be blocked. To do this, pull the stocking tightly with a simple elastic band under the very edge of the silicone insert.
- Then do normal hand washing.
To maintain anti-slip properties, it is advisable not to wet the silicone strip. It can be cleaned periodically using a cotton swab dipped in a solution of rubbing alcohol.
Using the machine
Machine washing is possible only if it is permitted by the manufacturer. You need to choose the most gentle mode and low water temperature. It should also be taken into account that if the underwear contains silicone inserts, then if there is a silicone insert, the stockings will fail much faster. Regular mechanical cleaning quickly wears out the silicone and the compression material itself.
Author:
Anastasia Kukushkina
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