White socks are one of the worst items of clothing to get clean, but there is an easy way to remove brown stains from socks without using harsh chemicals.
Stains are more visible on white socks as the fabric tends to be less densely woven than other coloured socks, which allows dirt to easily penetrate the fabric and become incredibly stubborn to remove.
Although it may be easy to use bleach to whiten your laundry, there is a much simpler and more affordable way to restore your socks using soda crystals.
Catherine Wrench, a cleaning expert from the eco-friendly website Planet Friendly Living, explained that soda crystals, also known as washing crystals, are a “natural” cleaning agent high in alkaline that “works brilliantly” on clothing.
She said: “You can also use washing soda as a stain-removing pre-wash, where it is particularly good at removing ‘dried in’ stains (like the grey/brown soles of my daughter’s white socks).”
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Soda crystals can also be used inside the washing machine to help socks, as well as other clothing, become softer while you are washing them.
Catherine said: “You can add washing soda to your wash along with your normal laundry detergent, which it will soften the water, boost your colours, and improve the stain removal properties of your detergent.”
Just add two tablespoons of soda crystals to the detergent dispenser of your washing machine, put on a normal wash, and your clothes will come out much cleaner and softer than they normally would.
Catherine added that soda crystals are also “particularly effective” at removing other clothing stains as well such as blood, oil, tea or coffee.
She said: “t is safe for use with most fabrics but if you are unsure, try it on an inconspicuous area first.”
Soda crystals can be bought at most supermarkets in the UK, and at Tesco, ASDA and Sainsbury a pack can be bought for only £2.
