How to Wash School Socks to Keep Them White: Easy Steps in 4 Steps

Socks 101

Who among you has experienced the problem of socks that just won’t stay white, especially with new school socks that face issues with black stains, yellowing, blood stains, ink stains, and more? It’s not just about blaming the kids. Today, Thai Socks brings you some easy tips for saying goodbye to those student sock stains and magically restoring your dingy socks to a bright, fresh appearance.

Why Do School Socks Get Dirty Easily?

Before we get to the solutions, we need to understand the problem. The issue of school socks turning yellow or getting dirty is something every householder faces and cannot avoid. This is due to several factors related to usage and care as follows:

• Daily Wear: Since students wear socks every day and are frequently walking or running, the socks come into contact with dust, dirt, and other impurities easily, leading to a buildup of grime and quicker discoloration.
• Foot Sweat and Oils: Feet often produce sweat and oils throughout the day. When these sweat and oils come into contact with fabric fibers, they cause accumulation and chemical reactions that result in yellowing or discoloration, especially in active kids who wear socks all day, causing more buildup.
  Stubborn stains like dirt, ink, or blood are common on school socks due to children’s activities. These stains often penetrate the fabric fibers and cannot be removed by regular washing. Immediate cleaning is necessary, otherwise, appropriate products must be used to prevent these stains from making the socks look permanently dirty.
• Improper Washing: Washing socks in excessively high temperatures, using unsuitable detergents, or not separating dark and light colors can lead to sock discoloration or hard-to-remove stains.
• Fabric Quality: Some socks made from synthetic fibers tend to discolor more easily than those made from natural cotton because synthetic fibers can accumulate dirt and stains more readily.

4 Steps to Wash School Socks to Make Them White Like New

1. Soak Socks in Hot Water

Start by soaking the socks in hot water mixed with 1-2 tablespoons of bleach or baking soda for about 15-30 minutes. The hot water helps open the fabric fibers and loosens the dirt for easier removal.

2. Gently Rub the Stained Areas

After soaking, gently rub the areas with stains. For stubborn stains, try applying dish soap to the stain before rubbing. This helps to loosen the stain more effectively.

3. Use a Soft Brush

If the socks are not clean enough, use an old toothbrush or a laundry brush to scrub the stained areas again. Make sure the fabric is not too thin or old, as this step may damage the socks otherwise.

4. Dry Properly in the Sun

After washing, rinse the socks thoroughly and dry them in strong sunlight for 1-2 hours. Then move them to a shaded area. Although sunlight helps in disinfecting and whitening, excessive sun exposure may burn the polymer fibers and cause irreversible damage.

Techniques for Dealing with Stubborn Stains on School Socks

In addition to regular washing, sometimes kids’ socks may have other stains beyond just dirt. These stains need to be “treated before regular washing” to prevent permanent discoloration. Here are methods for dealing with various stubborn stains:

Removing Blood Stains

• Soak in Cold Water Immediately: Use cold water or saline to soak the socks with blood stains right after they occur to prevent the stain from setting. Avoid warm or hot water, as it can cause blood proteins to coagulate, making the stain harder to remove.
• Use Dish Soap or Soap: After soaking in cold water, gently rub the socks with dish soap or regular soap to remove the stain.</span