Are Absorbent Socks Reusable? For How Long?
by Brittany
A lot of our customers ask us if the absorbent socks they’re using will eventually stop absorbing, or if the outer sock part will deteriorate first. Like most questions about product applications, the short answer is “it depends,” but let’s take a closer look.
Is It Okay to Reuse Absorbent Socks, and How Long Will They Last?
Two of our Water Absorbent Socks are reusable. The PIG Dryer-Safe Reusable Water Absorbent Sock and the PIG Mildew-Resistant Water Absorbent Sock. The rest of our socks are not specifically designed to reuse over and over, so let’s take a closer look at our top choices for reusability:
The PIG Dryer-Safe Reusable Water Absorbent Sock is our best sock for reusability because you can machine wash and dry it up 50 times! This is our only sock that can be laundered, and it contains a UV additive so it can be left in direct light without damage for up to 12 months. Use this sock for soaking up condensation and small leaks and drips.
The PIG Mildew-Resistant Absorbent Sock can be left down long-term to soak up leaks, drips and condensation before it spreads to walkways. Its polypropylene skin and filler will resist the growth of mildew, and the sock can be air-dried and reused up to three times. This sock does not have a UV additive to resist damage from sunlight and interior lights, so try to keep them away from direct sunlight to get the most bang for your buck.
If you aren’t using a sock built to be reused, here is how to tell if it’s time to replace them:
1. Check the Skin of the Sock
Most of the time, the skin of the sock will degrade first because it’s exposed to UV light from the sun and lighting sources inside your facility. You can check the skin of the sock for thin spots, and if you find any, it’s probably time to replace it with a new one. The skin could also start to become brittle and start to tear open in spots. This is another sign it’s time for a new sock. If you keep using a sock past its useful life, the filler can come out, leaving you with a bigger mess than you started with.
2. Is the Sock Saturated?
Keep an eye on the socks as they’re absorbing the leaks. There’s no secret formula to knowing if they’re saturated — if you move the sock with your hand or foot and liquid comes out, the sock is soaked. When it can’t hold any more fluid, it needs to be replaced.
How Long Do Absorbent Socks Last?
Some socks are engineered with UV resistant properties for long-term deployment outdoors. It’s reasonable to expect these products to last up to 12 months without degrading. For indoor applications, you could leave socks in place for days, weeks or months depending on the level of saturation and exposure to UV rays. It’s not uncommon for facilities with messy processes to change out socks at the end of every shift, while other customers use socks as preventive measures that rarely see any action. For low-use situations, it’s best to perform the periodic inspections described above.
Which Reusable Absorbent Sock Should I Use?
The best socks to reuse when absorbing water are the PIG Dryer-Safe Reusable Water Absorbent Sock and the PIG Mildew-Resistant Water Absorbent Sock
The PIG Dryer-Safe Reusable Water Absorbent Sock can be machine-washed and dried up to 50 times!
The PIG Mildew-Resistant Absorbent Sock can be left down long-term and the filler will resist the growth of mildew. The sock can be air-dried and reused up to three times.
How To Dry Absorbent Socks
The PIG Dryer-Safe Reusable Water Absorbent Sock can be placed in the dryer, so it can be put back to work absorbing water fast!
The PIG Mildew-Resistant Absorbent Sock should be air-dried before reuse. For best results, hang them from a line or drape them over a rack. Speed up the process with moving air from a floor fan or an open window or door.
2 Comments
Pig Customersays:
02/23/2019 at 11:56 pmCan the water absorbing socks be washed in a washing machine?
Isabella Andersensays:
07/02/2019 at 11:49 amHi there, thanks for your question. The only sock that can be machined washed and dried is our Dryer-Safe Reusable Water Absorbent Sock. All other absorbent socks should not be placed in a washing machine or dryer.
Leave a Reply