Sock care and shrinkage
Sock care and shrinkage guide
Caring correctly for your socks keeps them feeling great and lasting longer. Because RoToTo and Tabio engineer their socks differently — and use distinct fibre blends — their care requirements differ. Follow the brand-specific guidance below based on the socks you own.
RoToTo sock care
RoToTo socks are made in Japan and span a range of fibre blends, including organic cotton, cotton–wool mixes, acrylic, and COOLMAX technical yarn. All verified care instructions below are sourced directly from RoToTo product labels.
Washing temperature
Wash all RoToTo socks at a maximum of 40 °C. Exceeding this temperature risks fibre damage and shrinkage, particularly in cotton–wool blended styles.
Machine vs hand washing
Both machine washing and hand washing are approved by RoToTo. If machine washing, use a delicate cycle and place socks inside a mesh garment bag — this is especially recommended for multi-texture and intarsia-knit styles (such as the Argyle Crew Socks) to protect the knit structure.
Bleaching
Do not bleach any RoToTo sock. Bleach will damage fibres and cause colour loss.
Drying
Do not tumble dry RoToTo socks. Hang them to dry in the shade — not in direct sunlight, which can cause fading and fibre stress.
Ironing
Do not iron RoToTo socks.
Shrinkage
Shrinkage risk is highest in cotton–wool blended styles (e.g., Cotton Wool Ribbed Crew: 41% cotton, 35% wool; Double Face Crew: 80% cotton, 15% wool). Keeping wash temperature at or below 40 °C and avoiding tumble drying are the two most effective steps to prevent shrinkage in these styles.
Preserving softness
Avoid high heat at every stage — washing above 40 °C or tumble drying will compact fibres and reduce softness over time. For organic cotton styles such as the Argyle Crew, a mesh garment bag helps prevent pilling. For COOLMAX technical yarn styles (e.g., Ivory Footband), the wicking properties are maintained by avoiding heat and bleach.
Tabio sock care
Tabio socks are also made in Japan and are engineered with blended yarns that include cotton, nylon, rayon, lyocell, and polyurethane. Their construction — particularly five-finger toe socks — requires gentle handling to preserve the individual toe pockets and elasticity.
Washing temperature
Wash all Tabio socks at a maximum of 30 °C. This is a lower threshold than RoToTo — the blended yarns and toe-pocket construction are more sensitive to heat, and exceeding 30 °C risks distortion and shrinkage.
Machine vs hand washing
Both machine washing and hand washing are approved by Tabio. If machine washing, always use a mesh garment bag. The individual toe configuration of five-finger styles can snag or twist without protection.
Bleaching
Do not bleach any Tabio sock.
Drying
Do not tumble dry Tabio socks. Hang them to dry in the shade.
Ironing
Do not iron Tabio socks.
Shrinkage
Because Tabio's maximum wash temperature is 30 °C (lower than RoToTo's), even a standard warm machine wash can cause shrinkage. Always use a cool or cold setting and skip the dryer entirely. The lyocell blend in styles such as the Invisible Toe Socks is especially moisture-sensitive when heated.
Preserving softness
Tabio's cotton-nylon and lyocell blends retain their softness best when washed cool and dried naturally. Avoid wringing — gently press excess water out before hanging. The five-finger toe pockets should be gently reshaped while damp to preserve their form.
Quick-reference summary
| Care step | RoToTo | Tabio |
|---|---|---|
| Max wash temperature | 40 °C | 30 °C |
| Machine wash | Yes — delicate cycle | Yes — gentle cycle |
| Hand wash | Yes | Yes |
| Garment bag recommended | Yes (especially intarsia knit styles) | Yes (especially five-finger styles) |
| Bleach | No | No |
| Tumble dry | No | No |
| Iron | No | No |
| Dry in direct sunlight | No — hang in shade | No — hang in shade |
Care instructions on this page are sourced from verified RoToTo and Tabio product labels. For product-specific details, refer to the care label on your socks.