Can You Microwave Socks? (And a Dry Towel?)
Imagine you were late for work, school, or an outing, and the one thing keeping you from leaving the house is your socks. They are still wet. Now, the problem is, you’re bent on wearing them, but know the consequences of wearing wet socks.
Desperate to dry their socks, most people won’t mind throwing them in a microwave. By the way, microwaves produce heat, so socks should dry in them.
But hey, before you put your socks in the microwave, we urge you to read this post from start to finish.
Can You Dry Socks in the Microwave?
No, you can’t dry socks in the microwave. The outcome of such an action isn’t something that you can handle. It could start a fire, destroy the socks and the appliance. Not worth the risk.
Microwaves are meant to reheat food items. Non-food items are not ideal for these appliances.
The non-food items in question are empty socks, heating pads, clothes, underwear, bras, etc. When you put such things in a microwave, it can cause the appliance to overheat. You know what happens when you allow microwaves to overheat.
Now, what can happen when you microwave socks?
When you put socks in a microwave, the elastic materials can melt. And when this happens, the socks can catch fire and damage your appliance.
Nylon and polyester are major reasons to avoid drying socks in a microwave. Why? They are highly combustible. So, if your socks contain nylon or polyester, do not put them in a microwave.
However, this doesn’t mean you can put any fabric in a microwave. Even natural fabrics boast inflammability issues too.
A Handy Tip: Besides the fire that most non-food materials like socks may cause, smoke is another thing you should be dreadful about.
Can You Microwave a Sock With Rice?
Yes, you can microwave a sock filled with rice. Many people use rice socks as heating pads. There’s also a claim that rice soaks lose their heat over time and in a safer way. Thus, most people prefer them to plug-in heating pads, which can burn one’s skin if not monitored.
Now, you know microwaving rice socks is possible. The next question is, how can you go about it?
Here is how to microwave rice socks.
1: Fill your stockings with rice. Please ensure it’s a cotton sock. And remember to leave some room in the sock so that you can tie the tip to keep the rice intact.
2: Heat the sock for not more than 3 minutes and on high. Please, ensure the sock doesn’t stay more than 3 minutes inside the microwave.
3: Remove the sock from the microwave and start using it as intended. But please, remember that the sock will be extremely hot. Be careful, so you don’t hurt yourself.
If the sock cools down, reheat for a minute to make it hot and useful for the intended purpose.
Can You Put a Dry Towel in the Microwave?
No, you cannot put a dry towel in a microwave. Before you do, ensure a figure extinguisher is handy because the towel will catch fire within 15 seconds.
However, you can dry a towel in a microwave. Just ensure it is damp. Check out the tips on how to dry a towel in the microwave below.
1: Check the towel for metal tags or decorative weights most towels have. If it has a metal tag, please do well to remove the tag or forget about microwaving the towel.
2: Your next move should be to make the towel damp. Firstly, get the towel sprayed with scented or plain oil-water. Then get the towel saturated under a tap and have it squeezed, so it remains damp.
3: Fold your semi-wet or a damp towel and place it neatly on a microwave-safe pan. Now, heat it on high for about 30 seconds.
A Handy Tip: It is essential to monitor the towel in the microwave. And please, ensure it doesn’t stay in the microwave for more than 30 seconds.
Can You Dry Socks in the Microwave?
No, you can’t. It is not a good move. Most people claim it is possible to heat socks in a microwave. But you shouldn’t even consider doing such. There’s a possibility of steam burns, a fire hazard, and damage to the appliance.
In a nutshell, it is not worth the risk of microwaving socks. Instead, use other methods to dry your socks.
Can You Dry Socks With a Dryer?
Yes, you can use a hand dryer to dry your socks. It is safe, quick, and easy to do.
Let the cold or hot moving air run over your socks for a couple of minutes. The airflow directed towards the socks will cause the moisture to evaporate, leaving the socks dry.
A Handy Tip: You can dry a load of socks and underwear with a dryer under a low setting within 30 minutes.
There are a plethora of ways to dry socks. And the good part is you can dry your socks fast using these methods. Let’s discuss them quickly.
Method 1: Use the towel roll method:
This method is quick and easy. But you need to be ready to apply some force. In other words, you’re going to use your strength to full capacity here.
How does this method work?
First, get a clean and dry towel. Large and small towels would work fine, but the larger, the better. Why? The towel would have more surface area for the water molecule from the damp towel.
Now, place the towel on a flat surface, put the socks on it, and start squeezing the towel. You’ll be squeezing the towel and socks together.
You may feel your socks are a bit cold after squeezing them. But then, cold is far better than damp. Isn’t it?
A Handy Tip: You have to squeeze out water from the socks before placing them on the towel. Do not place super wet socks on the towel.
Once you have done your absolute best to wring out the water in the socks, you can complete the remaining drying task on the towel.
By the way, your socks should be dry in 6 to 10 minutes.
Method 2: Iron the socks:
Ironing is a quick way to dry your socks. But please, don’t iron the socks directly. Why? The heat produced by the iron could be too much for the socks’ fabric to handle. Thus, the iron could burn the socks.
Instead, use a towel. You can use a face or hand towel for this socks-drying method. And you would need two towels for this process.
Why two towels? You have to place the socks between the two towels and iron the towel directly.
Again, remember to set the iron to a low temperature at the initial stage. Don’t worry; your socks are still going to dry faster.
A Handy Tip: Ensure the socks don’t pop out when ironing. You have to iron the towel directly.
The iron method leaves socks much drier, and you can get it done within 3 to 5 minutes.
Method 3: Use a blow dryer:
This method is also effective, quick, and straightforward. How’s it done?
Firstly, squeeze water out of the socks, and ensure the blow dryer is ready for us. By ready, we mean it should be clean and functional. If someone just used the blow dryer in the washroom, it could leave a stain on your colored socks. Keep that in mind.
Now, wear one of the socks on one mind. Please, keep in mind that you can’t wear two of the socks in one hand. Wear one at a time.
Start drying the socks by waving the blow dryer. And remember not to bring the appliance too close. The heat will be high on one side if you do, which isn’t appropriate.
A Handy Tip: You have to consider the socks’ fabric when using a blow dryer. Remember that nylon and spandex (two popular fabrics used in making socks) are susceptible to heat.
So, if you’re using a blow dryer on such socks, you have to be extremely careful. Do not apply much heat to the fabric or concentrate on only one side.
Conclusion: Can you microwave socks?
Well, yes, if there is rice in the socks. By the way, rice socks are an alternative to the plug-in heating pad.
However, if there’s nothing in the sock, do not microwave it. If you do, be ready for the outcome. Most socks in the microwave could catch fire within a few seconds, and you could suffer a steam burn.
Another question is can you heat a dry towel in a microwave? The truth is, you can’t. It is not recommended and advisable. If you do, the towel could catch fire within 15 seconds.
The best way to prepare a towel to be heated in a microwave is to make it damp. Again, we also discussed ways to dry socks quickly. You can read the article for clues.
