Okay, I need a real world solution to getting socks white. I have tried putting them through the wash, on hot with bleach and they still don't come out white. I am in the process of moving my daughters socks down to my son and would really like to have white socks again. Thanks.
real world? chuck em and buy new white ones. :-) Once they go "not white" I havn't found anything that gets them back...
Have you tried soaking them in baking soda water or adding hydrogen peroxide to water and letting it soak? Both good options, give em a try!
I would soak them in some oxyclean for a couple hours in hot water. If you do bleach them let them soak in hot water for at least 30 minutes before washing them. Another thing that I like to do is put some baking soda in the wash. It seems less harsh then bleach and seems to help. good luck
Hi, N.:
Try old fashion "bluing".
D.
I heard that using dish washer detergent is a good way to get socks white. Chances are since you washed them hot and problably dried then in the dryer that the stains have set and are next to impossible to get out.
N.,
I am not sure how many pairs of white socks you are talking about here, but my aunt dyes her whites to restore them. Wal-mart carries the Rit tablets or liquid. I have not dyed whites, but I had dyed jeans to restore the color.
Soak them in Oxyclean, and if that doesn't work, it's off to Walmart for new ones.
I agree with Beth - chuck 'em. If you can't afford to, let them soak in the washer overnight in bleach water. This might help - or it might eat them up!
Hi N.,
First off--are you on public water or well? Your water could be the main issue as to why they aren't coming out white. Even if you are on public water, the chemicals that are used to treat it could play a major role in how your cleaning products work. Another issue would be the material they socks are made from. Some materials refuse to let go of stains. Something I have done with some of my girls' socks that have gotten very bad is that I have literally soaked them in a bowl of Shout over night and then washed. Best of luck to you!
Have you tried laying them in the sun? I hang my cloth diapers in the sun and it naturally bleaches them clean again without the harsh chemicals.
I've also tried oxiclean (It got blue food coloring out of a white outfit) overnight.
