Compression Stockings: Make Them Last!

If you suffer from some vein-related disorders, such as varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency, compression hosiery can be a godsend. Despite their not so sexy appearance (although I have to admit they look much better now than they once used to), these elastic stockings or socks will cover and hide varicose veins, and they will also make your legs feel much lighter during the day and reduce eventual swelling and cramping in the evening.

Compression stockings compress your legs and thus support healthy blood circulation. The pressure on the legs, but mainly ankles is quite significant; it compresses the surface veins and arteries, so that more blood can return to your heart and less blood is allowed to pool in your feet and calves. There’s a wide selection on the market these days, and you can choose compression stockings that will perfectly fit you,  use the right material and compression level – mild compression, moderate compression, firm compression and extra firm compression.

The material and its compression are obviously extremely important for you to gain as many benefits from wearing this hosiery as you possibly can. That being said, improper care can damage compression stockings beyond repair. So here are a few tips on how to make these babies last as long as possible:

• Always use cold or very mild temperature – hot water could damage the fabric and the compression would no longer function properly.
• Preferably hand-wash your stockings – it is always better to hand-wash your stockings to preserve the material, but if you can’t do without a washer, use a program for delicate and don’t forget about the low temperature.
• Use mild detergent or soap – bleach or heavy duty detergents will ruin your stockings.
• Let the stockings soak – whether you’re hand-washing them or using a washer, it is advisable to let the stockings soak for about 10 minutes. As the temperature you’re using is not too high, it might be challenging sometimes to get all the dirt off your stockings.
• Never use fabric softener – these can negatively affect the fiber and potentially lower the compression effectiveness.
• Don’t use the dryer – just hang your stockings and let them dry, it won’t take very long anyway.