‘Brown stained’ white socks will ‘come out like new’ with ‘game-changing’ item

Dirt and white laundry don’t mix. While it’s easy to keep your white clothes away from dirt, this isn’t as easy for socks. 

Socks get dirty, dingy, and stained after a few wears so it’s important to know how to restore them.

Rather than reaching for a bottle of bleach to whiten and remove the stains, cleaning enthusiasts suggested going down the natural route by using soda crystals.

Posting a picture of brown stained white socks to the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook page, Katherine Cerpa said: “These socks just came out of the washer. They were washed with warm water and soaked with OxiClean. 

“Please give me some recommendations to remove these brown stains and make them look whiter.”

The post received over 160 comments with many detailing how to use soda crystal to whiten and remove sock stains.

Jane Ireland said: “Soda crystals are really good and you can get them from most supermarkets and on Amazon. 

“Depending on how stained they are, add half a cup to one cup of soda crystals to the washing machine and put it on a 60-degree wash.”

Natasha Smith commented: “I’m a mum of five boys and one girl and I always use soda crystals on their white socks. It’s game-changing.”

Michelle Walker wrote: “Soda crystals. It’s amazing stuff. It gets my blokes socks looking new again. I just add the soda crystals straight in the washing machine drum.”

Susan Wilson said: “Get yourself some soda crystals. It’s the best thing I’ve ever used to get my boy’s grubby white socks up.”

Alisha Dobbs recommended: “Soak in soda crystals and then wash as normal. The brown stains will be gone and the socks will come out like new.”

Debbie Powell wrote: “I have two boys and used to have the same problem. Now I just add a scoop of soda crystals to every white wash and they are now lovely and white.”

Soda crystals have a multitude of uses, from unclogging drains, and cleaning washing machines to boosting laundry and removing stains.

When using soda crystals as a laundry booster to shift organic stains, households only need to add a tablespoon of this natural cleaning agent to their normal detergent.

If the stains are really tough, it is recommended to use soda crystals as a pre-soak. Make a strong solution of soda crystals and warm water and soak the socks for one hour before washing normally.

Soda crystals can be used in every wash. Simply add the required amount to the detergent drawer, along with the usual washing powder, or directly into the drum. 

For those using a liquid detergent in the drum, put soda crystals into the drawer and vice versa, so the liquid doesn’t cause the crystals to clump.