Getting White Socks Whiter & Cleaner

Thanks to our readers for these ideas

With Dishwasher Detergent

Submitted by Mary

To whiten socks--- Mix dishwasher detergent ( like cascade ) in in water, stir well, add white socks and let them soak overnite. This works well on other whites too, took out stains this way.

Bleach & Dishwasher Detergent
Submitted by a reader
When my whites get dingy, I boil them. Try putting your socks in a large pot of water. Add your bleach and I like to add a little dishwasher detergent. Then bring them to a boil. Let boil about a few minutes and dump this all into your washing machine and wash as you normaly would. I think it works great.

A number of readers have since written in to warn me that you're never supposed to mix bleach with any other chemical at all - that in fact it could create a noxious fume that could make you very sick. Please keep this in mind before trying this tip.

Whiten Socks with Vinegar
Submitted by Amy
For brightening whites, I use 1 cup of white vinegar in my washing machine. Just dump it in there with your soap as you are filling up the water. It's a great bleach alternative!

Boil with Dawn detergent & bleach
Submitted by Yvonne
When I was a kid living on the farm our socks really got dirty. My mom would take a large kettle or pan and boil them with a little soap (Dawn dish soap would be good) and just a little bleach until they came white again. It worked great.

Washing twice method for cleaner socks
Submitted by Lacey
My husband works outside in the landscaping business, when he gets home from work his socks are almost black from the dirt and mud he wades in all day. On laundry day I turn all socks right side out and wash in the hottest water and soap on the lowest water setting once through. After I let it wash once most of the dirt is out of the washer so I'm not bleaching plain dirt. The second time I wash them I add soap again, and bleach (turn the bottle and go around the washer twice, I know lots of bleach) and use vinegar instead of softener and get no bleach smell afterwards. Hope this works for you.

Another bleach & detergent tip
Submitted by Karen
Use 1 cup bleach and 1 cup dishwasher soap and the hottest water you can. Soak socks or baseball uniforms etc overnight and then wash as usual. I have found this to be the only way to restore the whiteness