Cashmere Bed Socks: What Are They For & How Should You Care for Them?

There are few things quite as cosy as slipping on a pair of pure cashmere socks when your feet are cold.

Soft, lightweight and wonderfully warm, cashmere bed socks are one of those small luxuries that can make chilly evenings and cold nights considerably more comfortable. They also make a lovely gift – particularly for someone who seems to permanently have cold feet.

But there's an important difference between cashmere bed socks and everyday socks.

Cashmere bed socks are designed primarily for warmth, softness and comfort rather than for spending the day walking around in shoes. Knowing how and when to wear them – and giving them a little care – can make a big difference to how long they last.

What are cashmere bed socks?

Cashmere bed socks are soft knitted socks designed to keep your feet warm while you're relaxing or sleeping.

The very fine fibres used to make cashmere are excellent insulators, providing plenty of warmth without the bulk of a thick conventional sock. They're also beautifully soft against the skin, which is a big part of their appeal.

Unlike many everyday socks, however, pure cashmere bed socks don't contain synthetic fibres added specifically to increase abrasion resistance.

That's why it's helpful to think of them as cosy nightwear or loungewear rather than everyday walking socks.

Can you actually sleep in cashmere socks?

Absolutely – that's exactly what they're designed for.

If your feet tend to get cold at night, cashmere provides warmth without needing a particularly thick or heavy sock.

You don't necessarily have to wear them all night either. Putting them on while reading or watching television before bed can warm cold feet nicely, and you can simply take them off once you're comfortable.

They're equally good for lazy mornings, travelling, relaxing on the sofa or any time when warm feet sound particularly appealing.

Can you walk around in cashmere bed socks?

A little, yes – but we'd avoid treating them like normal socks.

Cashmere fibres are wonderfully fine and soft, but that also means repeated friction can eventually cause wear. Walking around directly on wooden, tiled or other hard flooring will put considerably more stress on the heel and sole than wearing them in bed.

The occasional trip from the sofa to the kettle isn't going to spell disaster, of course!

But if you're spending an evening walking around the house in them, we'd recommend wearing slippers over your cashmere socks where possible.

Can I wear cashmere bed socks with slippers?

Yes – and it's a lovely combination.

A pair of soft, well-fitting slippers can actually help protect the soles of your cashmere socks from direct contact with hard flooring.

Just bear in mind that friction is still the enemy. Very tight or rough-lined slippers can rub against the cashmere, so something comfortable with a soft interior is ideal.

Can cashmere bed socks be worn with shoes?

We wouldn't recommend them as everyday socks inside shoes or boots.

The combination of pressure, movement and repeated rubbing against the inside of footwear can wear through pure cashmere much more quickly than normal use in bed or around the home.

If you're looking for socks for walking, work or everyday footwear, a more durable wool or blended sock is the better choice.

Save the cashmere ones for when you get home.

Why does cashmere sometimes pill?

You may notice small balls of fibre – often called bobbles or pills – appearing on cashmere, particularly when it's new.

This is caused by loose fibres working their way to the surface and becoming tangled through friction. It doesn't automatically mean that there's anything wrong with the cashmere.

Areas that experience more rubbing will naturally be more prone to pilling, which is another reason to minimise unnecessary friction with bed socks.

We'll be looking at cashmere pilling in more detail in a separate guide, including the best ways to remove it without damaging your cashmere.

How often should you wash cashmere bed socks?

They don't need to be washed after every wear.

Cashmere is a natural animal fibre, and frequent unnecessary washing can put additional stress on it. If you've simply worn your socks in bed for a few hours, allowing them to air between wears will often be enough.

When they do need washing, gentle treatment is the key.

How to wash cashmere bed socks

Always check the care instructions supplied with your particular socks first.

Where the care label permits hand washing, use cool or lukewarm water and a detergent suitable for cashmere or delicate wool.

Avoid rubbing, scrubbing, twisting or wringing the socks. Instead, gently move them through the water and allow the detergent to do the work.

Rinse carefully in water of a similar temperature.

One of the biggest enemies of wool and cashmere is a combination of heat and agitation, which can cause the fibres to felt and the garment to shrink.

How should you dry cashmere socks?

Don't wring them out and avoid hanging wet cashmere socks from a washing line or radiator.

Instead, gently press out excess water. You can place them between clean towels and carefully press to remove more moisture.

Then reshape the socks and leave them to dry naturally while lying flat, away from direct heat and strong sunlight.

And tempting though it might be when you want your cosy socks back quickly, avoid the tumble dryer.

Cashmere and tumble dryers are not particularly good friends.

How should you store them?

Before putting cashmere away for any length of time, make sure it's clean and completely dry.

Fold your bed socks rather than stretching or hanging them and keep them somewhere clean and dry.

If you're putting cashmere away for the warmer months, consider storing it in a breathable storage bag or suitable sealed container. Keeping natural fibres clean before long-term storage is particularly important because traces of skin oils, perspiration or food can attract clothes moths.

A little care goes a long way

Cashmere bed socks aren't designed to take the punishment we expect from an everyday pair of socks – and that's really the point.

They're designed for something altogether nicer.

Warm feet in bed. A lazy Sunday morning. Curling up on the sofa on a cold evening. Or simply adding a little bit of everyday luxury when you get home.

Wear them for what they're designed for, wash them gently and keep friction to a minimum, and you should be able to enjoy that wonderfully soft cashmere feeling for much longer.

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