Stockings and Skin Care

Could your skin be ruining your stockings?

How many pairs of stockings do you go through in a week? Too many? That seemed to be the case for one of our forum regulars. She asked for a little help and here are some of the responses.

• Check your toe nails or your feet for rough spots. Sometimes your feet are dry and cracked and stockings won't last very long if that's true.

• OK, I don't know whether this is a coincidence or what, but I've had the same stockings since high school (5 years) & they're still okay. They're starting to look a little old but they don't have runs yet. I really ought to replace them one of these days... new stockings would be nice. And no, they weren't expensive no-run stockings. They're just plain sheer-to-toe stockings I bought in a five pack at my drugstore. I actually got a run in one of the pair the other day, but I think that was because I was trying to stretch them over the pregnant belly... So here's my trick. I have a little mesh bag that can go through the washer & the dryer. I always use it to machine wash and dry my stockings. In fact I ran them through the washer & the dryer before I ever put them on. I bought some fancy thigh-highs for my wedding & didn't wash them first ... they got a run the same day (guess there could have been other factors there though!) I also take good care of my nails, toenails, and feet, so I guess that helps too, but you might want to buy a cheap pair & see if washing them helps. Do wash them in some kind of bag though, otherwise they'll get all stretched out or wound around your other laundry. Good luck, -SN

• I spray mine with hair spray. Usually before I put them on but once in awhile when I forget, I spray them when I've put them on. Mind you, the spray is cold... lol. I also put mine in a pillow case, tight the top in a knot and wash them in cold water then hang them on the clothesline or a hanger to air dry. Kyra

• Put in the freezer before you wear them. It works. Diane

• I used to get runs when I was putting them on and a girlfriend asked me if my hands were rough? Then it dawned on me that they were and the stockings were catching on them. She told me to use a little hand cream when putting them on. It has worked for me all these years. I do not go through near as many pairs as I used to. Barbara Sue (my 2 cents ) Do you know of another way to care for your stockings? I would love to hear from you. Send Me Your Thoughts

  *Special thanks to Web Clip Art at About for this month's clip art.

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