As the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing quite like a cosy pair of socks to keep your toes warm. However, if your go-to socks have lost their sparkle and turned a dingy shade, fear not – there’s an easy fix that doesn’t involve harsh chemicals.
Socks often lose their bright white hue due to sweat stains, with oils seeping into the fabric and leaving behind an unsightly yellow or grey tinge. While reaching for bleach might seem like the obvious solution, it can actually set the stains further due to a reaction with the proteins in sweat.
Laundry expert Guillaume from Label Chaussette advises against traditional stain removers and suggests a surprising household staple instead. He recommends: “Baking soda is a powerful ally in the quest for whiteness. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to your regular laundry to remove stubborn stains and restore brightness to your socks.”
This common kitchen ingredient is a natural way to achieve whiter socks because its alkaline nature counteracts the acidic components of sweat stains, helping to dissolve them. Not only does baking soda act as a gentle abrasive to lift away grime and bacteria, but it also doubles as a deodoriser, ensuring your socks come out of the wash looking brighter and smelling fresher.
To harness the whitening power of baking soda, simply add approximately 120g of it to your washing machine drawer along with your usual laundry detergent. To restore the whiteness of your socks, simply put them on a cold wash cycle and let the laundry do its magic.
Guillaume said: “Choose cold water instead of hot water. Cold water preserves the white colour by preventing the fibres from fading. Use a quality detergent designed specifically for white colours.”
For stubborn stains, consider pre-treating your socks with a paste made from baking soda and water, applying it directly to the stained area before washing. If possible, hang your socks outside to dry as the sun’s ultraviolet rays can naturally bleach fabric, enhancing the stain-removing power of the baking soda.
Guillaume added: “Sometimes, nature itself can work wonders. After treating the stains, let your socks dry in the sun. The sun’s rays have a natural bleaching effect that can help lighten the fibres of your socks.”
With these steps, your socks should be clean and white without resorting to bleach. If you’re still struggling to remove stains, try soaking the socks in a hydrogen peroxide solution, which can also effectively lift tough stains.