Clean socks

mjk_2

How do people get socks really clean? My daughter's socks are clean when I buy them but after the first time she's worn them they never seem to come clean again!

Nile

Hello mjk

You don't say what colour your daughter's socks are. If they are white socks, do you wash them in a separate whites only wash and use Persil?

If white socks are mixed with coloured items, they will start to go grey as they pick up the colour from other garments. So, they'll be clean but look grey and grubby.

We use Persil automatic powder for our whites and they stay white until they wear out. They do feel a bit scratchy/stiff but we don't use fabric conditioner either when washing white items.

If the socks are coloured, maybe the detergent you use is bleaching them? You could try using Ariel colour, this will get them clean but won't bleach the colour.

Hope this helps.

mjk_2

Thanks for the reply Nile.

She mostly has light coloured socks that I put in a general wash using Fairy non-bio. They don't fade or anything, jsut the soles don't come up particularly clean.

Maybe I should do something about my (obviously) filthy floors so they don't get so dirty in the first place!!

Lucie_2

mjk
It might not be your grubby floors! It might be her shoes - dye will transfer from the inside of her shoes onto the socks, especially if her feet get warm & sweat.
Does she have to wear white socks to school? what about navy/grey socks/tights instead? Problem solved!

rinoa778

Hello mjk

You don't say what colour your daughter's socks are.  If they are white socks, do you wash them in a separate whites only wash and use Persil?  

If white socks are mixed with coloured items, they will start to go grey as they pick up the colour from other garments.  So, they'll be clean but look grey and grubby.

We use Persil automatic powder for our whites and they stay white until they wear out.  They do feel a bit scratchy/stiff but we don't use fabric conditioner either when washing white items.

If the socks are coloured, maybe the detergent you use is bleaching them?  You could try using Ariel colour, this will get them clean but won't bleach the colour.

Hope this helps.

Why don't you use fabric conditioner when washing whites? I do the opposite. I do a light wash and a dark wash. For my darks, I use less conditioner and more with whites! Please enlighten me!

Bossyboots

Why Ariel colour and not Persil colour?

Daz is good for whites but I always use a fabric softener as well.

Poppy9

I put badly stained white socks in the microwave. Just put in a glass bowl with hot water from the kettle and any biological washing powder. Zap on full heat for 5 minutes then leave soak. Wash as normal then in washing machine.

It's a new take on boiling them in a saucepan. Also good for faceclothes and tea towels.

Spendless

I've never found non-bio any good for getting whites clean.
Does your daughter have sensitive skin? Is this why you're using it.

Nile

Hello Rinoa

I have done research and development work on washing powders and fabric conditioners, that's why I use the products mentioned earlier.

The best product to keep whites white is Persil. I choose not to use fabric conditioner when I wash whites because it deposits a blue dye onto the fabric. I'd rather have stiff/scratchy white socks rather than soft bluey white socks.

Hello Bossyboots

You ask why use Ariel colour and not Persil colour. For coloured items, Ariel is the best product and if you're concerned about bleaching them........Ariel colour will be best.

The majority of our washing is done with Surf automatic powder and Lenor fabric conditioner. The really grimey or stained stuff is washed in Ariel auto powder with Lenor. The whites are washed with Persil auto powder and no fabric conditioner.

As part of my research work, I used to apply stains (bleachable, enzyme, greasy/oily) to cloths before testing. One of the most difficult stains to remove is curry...........so be very careful if you're eating curry in your best clobber.

Hope this helps.

shazrazmataz

I always use Persil & Comfort Pure , which is white so I dont get a blue tinge in my whites. My children do karate & their white suites get quite dirty so when I wash them I always put Dylon super white tablets in with the wash & it makes them that little bit whiter. ;D ;D ;D

Mumstheword

Thanks for that one shaz, my son is in a comp on sunday, and his gi looks grey to me....will try your idea

mum