How to Wash Pilates Grip Socks Properly

If you’ve ever been halfway through class and felt your socks starting to slide, you’ll know how important grip socks are. They’re the little heroes that stop you from slipping on the reformer, keep your balance in planks, and honestly just make Pilates feel more comfortable. But here’s the thing, if you don’t wash them properly, that stickiness disappears a lot quicker than it should.

We’ve washed (and ruined) enough pairs over the years to figure out what actually works. Here’s our no-nonsense guide to looking after your grip socks so they stay fresh, sticky, and ready for every class.

Why proper care of Pilates grip socks is important

Grip socks aren’t just another accessory. They give you balance, stop that annoying slide when you lunge, and keep things a lot more hygienic in busy studios. The downside is they also collect sweat and dust pretty quickly. If you don’t clean them often, the soles flatten and lose their grip.

Look after them properly and they’ll last you ages. Skip the care and you’ll probably notice them peeling, slipping, or wearing thin long before you’d like.

Washing Grip Socks: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Read the Label First

I know, boring advice, but it matters. Some grip socks are machine safe, others aren’t. A quick glance at the tag can save you from cracked grippy dots or stretched fabric later on.

2. Wash Them Separately

This is a mistake we see all the time. People toss grip socks in with jeans, hoodies, or towels. Big no. Rough fabrics pull at the material, Velcro snags them, and lint sticks all over the soles. Wash them with soft items only or better yet, just on their own.

3. Pick a Gentle Wash

• Machine wash: Pop them in a laundry bag, set the washer to a cold gentle cycle, and use a mild detergent.

• Hand wash: Let them soak in warm soapy water for about 10 to 15 minutes, then rub them lightly. Don’t wring them out, just squeeze the water out so they hold their shape.

4. Keep the Washing Detergents Simple

Bleach, strong detergents, fabric softeners, skip them all. They break down the grips and make the soles slippery. Mild detergent does the job perfectly.

Drying Grip Socks The Right Way

Heat and grip socks are not friends. Toss them into a hot dryer and you’ll end up with peeling grippy soles in no time. Air drying is safest, lay them flat on a towel or hang them up in the shade.

If you’re desperate, use the dryer’s lowest heat or “air” setting. And here’s a tip we swear by, rotate between a few different pairs of grippy socks. That way you always have a clean set ready to go and you’re not overwashing the same ones every week.

Extra Sock Hygiene Tips

• Wash after every class. It sounds like overkill but it keeps bacteria and odour away.

• Never use fabric softener. It makes the soles slippery and ruins the grip.

• Store them flat or rolled. Don’t stuff them into the corner of your bag or the grips can peel.

• If they start feeling dusty or less sticky, give the soles a quick wipe with a damp cloth between washes.

FAQs About Washing Grip Socks

Do I need to wash grip socks after every use?
Yes. Especially in shared studios. Think of it like your gym towel, you wouldn’t reuse it over and over without a wash.

Can grip socks go in the dryer?
They can, but only on a low heat setting. High heat makes the grips crack and peel.

Should I wash new socks before wearing them?
We recommend it. It gets rid of any factory residue and helps the grips work better from day one.

What’s the easiest way to keep them sticky for longer?
Gentle washes, avoid softeners, rotate a few pairs, and wipe the soles now and then if they feel dusty.

Final Thoughts on Washing Your Grip Socks

Taking a little extra care when washing your grip socks is worth it. Clean, well-kept socks mean better grip, better hygiene, and fewer trips to replace worn-out pairs. Follow these simple steps and your socks will stay grippy and class-ready for a long time.

And if your current ones are already looking tired, check out our latest Cheeky Winx Grip Socks. We’ve designed them to handle plenty of washes without losing their stick!