What You Should Know About Choosing an Absorbent Sock

by Dan Ankney

Absorbent Socks may look similar, but they are far from it. Each sock is designed for different applications and has a unique set of features. Whether you need something that is static dissipative or mildew resistant, there’s an absorbent sock to fit your needs.

Universal Absorbent Socks

Universal socks will absorb oils, coolants, solvents and other common industrial fluids. These socks are commonly used in an industrial setting for spill response and nuisance drips.

Original Absorbent Sock

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Corn Cob

Incinerable: Yes: Because these socks have a cellulose based cob filler, they produce a low percent ash value and a low to moderate Btu/lb value (higher Btu values mean more energy is released and less ash means less byproduct after incinerating).

What you need to know: This sock is surface-conforming, making it a good option to place around the base of machinery to catch small leaks and drips.

Blue Absorbent Sock

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Vermiculite

Incinerable: Yes: However, the sock yields a high ash percent and low Btu/lb value. This is due to the vermiculite filler.

What you need to know:

Great for diking or surrounding spills to prevent them from spreading
Used in our Universal Spill Kits

Super Absorbent Sock

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Flame-Retardant Cellulose

Incinerable: Yes: This product yields a low ash percent and moderate Btu/lb value.

What you need to know:

Our most absorbent universal sock
Wringable for reclamation of the absorbed liquid
Cannot be reused
Great for absorbing large volumes of liquid

Flat Absorbent Sock

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Flame-Retardant Cellulose

Incinerable: Yes

What you need to know:

Provides large surface area coverage which allows for maximum absorption
Wringable for reclamation of the absorbed liquid
Cannot be reused
Great for placing around machines or areas with height restrictions

Water Absorbing Socks

Water might seem harmless, but persistent leaks and drips can wreak havoc on workplaces. Whether you have a large spill from a leaking pipe or a small amount of condensation to clean up, there’s a sock to help with your water problems.

Mildew-Resistant Water Absorbent Sock

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Polypropylene

UV Resistant: No

Incinerable: Yes: This product yields a low ash percent and moderate Btu/lb value.

What you need to know:

Great for absorbing drips and condensation from under freezers, coolers, and equipment
Mildew-Resistant Sock is completely made of polypropylene and (as its name suggests) resists the growth of mildew
The sock can be air-dried and reused several times

Super Water-Absorbing Sock

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Cellulose w/ Polymer Blend

UV Resistant: No

What you need to know: The Super Water-Absorbing Sock is a single use product for cleaning up large volumes of water on contact to confine/ contain pools and puddles.

Dryer-Safe Reusable Water Absorbent Sock

Skin: Polyester

Filler: Polyester

UV Resistant: Yes

What you need to know:

Dryer-Safe Reusable Water Absorbent Sock is great for placing in windowsills or around coolers, freezers or air conditioners or in other damp areas to absorb condensation and small leaks
Can be washed, dried and reused up to 50 times

Oil-Absorbing Socks

Oil-Only socks are made with a hydrophobic material and will repel water. These socks are best for oil-spills on water or outdoor oil spill response.

Oil-Only Sock

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Hydrophobic Cellulose

Incinerable: Yes: This product yields a low ash percent and moderate Btu/lb value.

What you need to know:

Hydrophobic sock that will repel water and absorb hydrocarbon-based liquids
Can be used to absorb spills on both water and land
Cannot be reused
Need to be replaced once they reach their absorbent capacity

Oil-Only Maintenance Sock

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Hydrophobic Cellulose

Incinerable: Yes: This product yields a low ash percent and moderate Btu/lb value.

What you need to know: The Oil-Only Maintenance Sock performs exactly like the standard Oil-Only Sock; however, the maintenance sock is intended for indoor use only.

Skimmer Sock

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Polypropylene

Incinerable: Yes: This product yields a low ash percent and moderate Btu/lb value.

What you need to know:

Hydrophobic sock that will repel water and absorb hydrocarbon-based liquids
Since this sock has an all polypropylene construction, it can be used to skim oil from corrosive baths/tanks
Cannot be reused

Static Dissipative Absorbent Socks

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Polypropylene

Incinerable: Yes: This product yields a low ash percent and moderate Btu/lb value.

What you need to know:

Hydrophobic sock that will repel water and absorb hydrocarbon-based liquids
Can be used to absorb spills on both water and land
A static dissipative additive helps these socks meet ANSI/ESD STM11.11 and MIL-STD-3010C standards

Absorbent Socks for Hazardous Chemicals

Hazardous chemical absorbent socks are designed for chemical spills. These socks will absorb a wide range of acids, bases and unknown liquids.

HazMat Socks

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Polypropylene

Incinerable: Yes: This product yields a low ash percent and moderate Btu/lb value.

What you need to know:

Our best sock for acids, bases, and unknown liquid
Polypropylene filler provides a great chemical compatibility range

Chem Guard Hazardous Chemical Socks

Skin: Polypropylene

Filler: Expanded Amorphous Silicate

Incinerable: Yes: However, the sock yields a high ash percent and low Btu/lb value.

What you need to know: This is a specialty sock designed for highly concentrated acids and bases that will not readily absorb into our Hazmat Socks.

Selecting the right sock for your application can make a big difference in the performance and outcome of spill response.

Still have questions about choosing the right absorbent sock for your application? Leave us a comment below!

TAGS: Safety, Spills

Universal Absorbent Socks

Water Absorbing Socks

Oil-Absorbing Socks

Absorbent Socks for Hazardous Chemicals

Dan Ankney

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