At MUJI, we value the power of natural materials such as cotton, linen, and wool when making our products.
Based on the same idea, we use materials such as cotton, silk, and wool for our socks.

Why we use natural materials

The reason is that we believe that the "natural function" of the material is excellent, not to mention the texture.
Cotton, which is most commonly used for socks, has high moisture absorption and excellent breathability, so it
absorbs sweat from your feet.

Sweat and odors to worry about in summer

The soles of the feet are said to be the part of the body where the sweat glands are concentrated and sweat the most.
If the socks themselves have poor hygroscopicity, sweat will have no place to go, and the heat inside the shoes will tend to get stuffy.

In shoes that have become hot and humid, various bacteria grow and the sources of odors increase, resulting in odors from feet, socks, and shoes.

For those who are concerned about stuffiness and smell, one solution is to choose socks with a high blend of natural materials such as cotton.

What is recommended for the mixed composition of socks

If socks with a high blend of natural materials are considered good, then 100% cotton socks are better. In fact, 100% cotton socks are rarely seen on the market.

General socks are knitted by mixing threads such as "polyester" and "polyurethane" in addition to "cotton". These materials are used as rubber, to reinforce the toe area, and are necessary for the fit of socks.
It is possible to make socks with 100% cotton, but if you use only cotton, the socks will not fit well and will slip off.

MUJI currently does not sell 100% cotton socks that have a weak fit. However, in order to allow you to feel the comfort of cotton, we have increased the amount of cotton used as much as possible.

While carefully using natural materials, we aim to create socks that fit the feet, do not slip off, and are comfortable to wear, while incorporating improvements in our designs every day.

Stay comfortable with MUJI socks in all seasons.

• Before washing, dust off the surface (if it is damp with sweat, etc., dry it ).
• When washing, turn it inside out (you can leave it inside out when drying). In the case of a vertical washing machine, put it in the bottom with the highest detergency.
• When drying, put the opening between the clothespins (pinch one place where the toes are in the loop).
• For stubborn mud stains, soak and wash before washing.
• For socks containing wool or silk, wash them by hand as much as possible using a neutral detergent.

Let's see why.

Why wash inside out

Reason 1:
General socks use stretchy threads on the side (inside) that touches the skin.
This thread has a crimped shape to give it stretch. As a result, protein stains such as the skin of your feet and keratin will get entangled in the thread while you are wearing it. This entangled protein stain is difficult to remove with detergent, so it can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria and cause odours. Washing inside out makes it easier to remove dirt. (It is also effective for stockings and tights.) Before washing, tap the dust on the surface to remove it as much as possible.

Reason 2:
Dark coloured socks such as black and navy will turn slightly whitish after being washed several times.
This is not because the colour has faded, but because the fibers of the sock are becoming fuzzy.
Washing the socks inside out reduces friction during washing and prevents the socks from becoming fuzzy (whitish).

Reasons for drying from the opening

Laundry tends to dry from above. Water also moves downward due to gravity.
If you dry with the toes up (the opening down), it will take a long time for the opening to dry, and the weight of the moisture will stretch the opening. In addition, the thread used to give the opening stretchability is prone to deterioration due to moisture, so it is necessary to remove moisture as soon as possible. Chlorine bleach should not be used because it will easily deteriorate the stretchy yarn.

The reason why soaking and washing is good for stubborn mud stains

Mud stains are a state in which small particles of mud, sand grains, dust, etc. are trapped deep inside the fibers.
You have to physically push the particles out of the fiber. In addition, dirt is often coated with oil such as sebum, so it is necessary to remove the oil as well. Dissolve heavy-duty laundry soap in water below 40°C and soak for 30 minutes to 2 hours. If you are particularly concerned about dirt, rinse the socks once with water, rub the soap directly on the dirt, and then soak them in soapy water. Place the soaked soapy water in the washing machine and wash.

Why use a mild detergent for wool or silk socks?

Wool and silk are made of the same protein as human skin. Alkaline detergents can easily damage the surface of the fabric, so gentle washing with low-temperature water and a neutral detergent will prolong the life of your socks.
Also, both fibers are vulnerable to friction, so it is important to wash without rubbing.

Socks, which we always wash casually, are among the items of clothing that are particularly prone to dirt and bacteria.
By properly washing and drying, you can remove the dirt that causes the smell and make it last longer.