Stained sports socks can be whitened by using one natural item
If you have kids with a liking for white sports socks, you'll know exactly how relentless the task is of trying to keep them white.
These socks can look grubby within one wear especially if they decide to run around in them, outside, with no shoes on. And while it might be tempting to use bleach on the offending items, that can damage the fabric and lead to holes and tears if used too often.
But instead of relegating them to the bin, you can get them bright and white again by soaking them in one item that's all natural.
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One expert has shared the best way to get your socks back to the colour they were when you bought them is to use lemon juice, reports the Express.
What is amazing about lemon juice is that it is able to deeply penetrate sock fibres so it will work to remove even the toughest stains like grass, sweat, food and grease.
Henry Lee, from Monfoot Socks, has shared that washing socks to get them looking “as good as new, or maybe even better” is easy using this natural ingredient.
He said: “Harnessing the power of lemon juice can effectively brighten your white socks and combat stubborn stains.
“This natural ingredient, easily found in your kitchen, is a potent cleaning agent that can work wonders.”
Lemon juice contains citric acid, a natural bleaching compound which can break down stains and make fabric look brighter.
The trick is to soak them in a bowl with the juice and boiling water for 15 minutes and it should completely remove stains to clean them again. Rinse the socks with cold water and then hang them up to dry.
Alternatively, you can add lemon juice to the drum of your washing machine then put them on a hot washing cycle which should also remove the stains.
How to use lemon juice to wash white socks
Lemon juice will be the most effective if combined with heat, so it is best to presoak your socks before sticking them in the washing machine.
All you need to do is place your white socks in a basin filled with warm water for roughly 30 minutes. This will help loosen the stains and make it easier to wash the socks.
Next, one method to whiten dirty socks is the boiling method. Add your socks to a pot, pour in a generous amount of lemon juice and water, then bring the solution to a boil on the stove.
Let the socks boil for 15 minutes and it should completely remove stains to clean them again. Rinse the socks with cold water and then hang them up to dry.
Alternatively, you can add lemon juice to the drum of your washing machine then put them on a hot washing cycle which should also remove the stains.
No matter how you wash your socks, make sure to hang them outside after treating them with lemon juice, as sunlight will react to the citric acid which will also help brighten them.
Henry said: “The sun's natural bleaching effect will help enhance the whiteness of your socks.”
Once you take the socks off your washing line they should be stain free, completely white and smell fresh since they were washed naturally.
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