Who doesn’t love a nice new pair of soft white socks? It’s too bad that they get dingy so quickly! White socks, especially athletic socks, can be the hardest garments to keep looking nice. Here are some quick tips for restoring them (close to) to their former glory.
Bleaching:
If you want to be more cautious, color-safe bleach is specially formulated to be gentler on fabrics while still providing the whitening power of traditional bleach. Just follow the instructions on the bottle.
If you’re fine with bleaching, the trick is to pre-soak socks in 1 gallon of water with 1/4 cup of bleach. Then launder as usual with warm or hot water.
Pre-Treat:
Doing a little bit of prep work will maximize the end results. Here’s how to treat different kinds of stains on socks.
- For grass, spray on a stain remover and let it sit for a while before washing.
- For mud and dirt, first hand wash in the sink with cool water and a little bit of detergent. Then, launder as usual.
- For blood stains, rinse in cool water as soon as possible first rinse the worst of it off in the sink using warm water. Next, scrub the stain with a bar of soap and rinse again. Launder as usual, adding either bleach or color-safe bleach.
Washing Techniques:
Look for detergents specifically formulated for white clothing, as they contain brightening agents that help remove stains and maintain the whiteness of your socks. These detergents are designed to penetrate deep into the fabric, lifting dirt and grime from the fibers.
But what exactly makes these detergents so effective? The brightening agents work by reflecting light, which helps to mask any discoloration or yellowing that may have occurred over time. Additionally, they contain enzymes that break down protein-based stains, such as sweat or food, making them easier to remove.
Line Dry:
Take advantage of the brightening power of sun by hanging your socks on the line to dry. You don’t have to do this with every load, of course, because it’s more time-consuming. Just try it every once in a while to fade old stains.
For more tips on sock care, and everything else you ever wanted to know about socks. check out The Thread blog! From the history of socks to the latest fashion trends, they’ve got it all covered.
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