Stocking care

Washing and care

Wash your stockings daily at 30 to 40˚C using a mild detergent or one specially designed for medical compression stockings. Wash coloured stockings inside out. Do not use fabric softener or wool detergent, as this can affect the Lycra threads in your stockings.

Rinse the stockings well; you can also gently wring them out. Air dry the stockings. Do not place them on a radiator, in the sun or in a tumble dryer. Do not iron your stockings.

If you have several pairs of stockings, change them regularly to maintain their effectiveness. Over time, the stockings lose their pressure, even if they are rarely or never worn. Therefore, always start wearing your new stockings immediately. The rubber in the stockings cannot tolerate grease, so if you want to lubricate your legs, use special skincare products that are fast absorbing and non-greasy. To properly care for your medical compression stockings, refer to the patient information leaflet included with them.

Donning the stockings

Put on your stockings in the morning, straight after getting up. The seam of the stocking should be positioned at the middle back of your lower leg. Smooth the stockings over your leg, avoiding creases or wrinkles, and ensuring the pressure is evenly distributed. The top edge of the stocking should be 2 to 3 cm below the hollow of the knee.

Special donning gloves with added grip make it easier to apply the sleeves or stockings and distribute them evenly over your arm or leg. These gloves also protect your sleeves and stockings from sharp nails or rings.

Wear well-fitting shoes with smooth insides to avoid damaging your stockings.

If you are unable to don or doff your stockings yourself, we have various donning and doffing aids, suitable for stockings with an open or closed toe.

Use our online selection tool to find the most suitable donning or doffing aid for you.

Watch our instructional videos to see the correct technique for donning and doffing your stockings, either with or without aids.

Problems with stockings

If you have a hole or ladder in your stocking, please contact us. We will assess the issue and provide further advice.

Do not cut off any loose threads and never pull on the silicone band or the top edge of the stockings, as this could tear the stockings.

Do not fold the top edge down. If your stockings appear too short or long, slide down or do not fit properly for any other reason, please contact us.

If moisture accumulates under your stockings and you wear them consistently, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

In addition to sports compression socks , Olfit.nl also offers a range of products for specific needs, such as travel socks, maternity stockings and sports compression wear.