The sock dryer debate: tumble dry your socks in the dryer or on the clothesline?
The sock dryer debate: tumble dry your socks in the dryer or on the clothesline?
How do you like to dry your socks? It’s the debate that never ends, because everyone has their own philosophies on the topic. Some of us insist on clotheslines and some of us think tumble drying in the dryer makes more sense. This month we’re talking about it, because it’s time to renew our sock of the month subscription and we want to find out once and for all what our customer base thinks about drying socks.
Which method conserves more energy - tumble drying in the dryer or drying on the clothesline?
When you're deciding how to get the most wear out of your favorite pair of socks, there are two methods you might consider for washing and drying them. Tumble drying them in a dryer will usually keep them looking newer for longer, but some people believe that it wastes more energy than hanging them on a clothesline to air-dry. However, it turns out that if you're only looking at whether or not a certain method is better for conserving energy, then air-drying is actually better. This is because more heat is produced when tumble drying than by air-drying - so while it may take less time to do, overall it's less efficient.
What are the pros and cons of each method?
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Plus, if you're looking for a gift for men, we also have a bunch of cool socks that are perfect as gifts! You can also buy some awesome crew socks that come in tons of colors and styles. If you love getting new pairs of dressy dress socks, then we've got those too! And don't forget about our cool mens ankle socks - they come in tons of different colors so you'll always be able to find the right pair.
Which method is more effective at removing bacteria from socks?
Luckily, we don't have to choose. You can put your socks in either the dryer or on a clothesline and both methods will work. When it comes to getting rid of bacteria, there is no difference between wearing a wet pair of ankle socks for one day versus wearing them for two days. The heat from either method will kill off any bacteria that may be hiding and waiting.
What's more, using a towel to pat down your feet and ankles before putting on clean cotton socks is an effective way to avoid spreading bacteria from one part of the body to another. Keeping feet healthy starts with keeping them clean and avoiding athlete's foot by washing frequently with soap and water. Cotton also has antimicrobial properties which help prevent bacterial growth, as does vinegar!
What are the consequences of each method on the environment?
Drying ankle socks on a clothesline is more environmentally friendly than using a dryer. The items are not being heated up, which is what causes most of the environmental pollution from electric appliances. Plus, if you live in an area that does not have good air quality, then it might be good to avoid using a drying machine because it produces chemical fumes.
Tumble drying your socks can also create more wear and tear on them because they are being rubbed against each other while they spin around inside the machine. If you have colored ankle socks, they will probably fade sooner when tumble dried due to the heat.