AIBU to try and make school socks stay white?

[Lizsmum]

Ok, it's a trivial problem in the greater scheme of things but I really would like to put a dirty pair of white school socks into the machine and take out a clean white pair. This is just not happening. The soles are grey tending to black. What makes it worse is that these are my DGD socks and I would like to show my DD that I am a good granny who knows how to launder. Clearly I don't. Advice please dear MNetters.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Soak overnight in a good Vanish/Ariel Stain/Napisan solution.

Accept you are on a hiding to nothing.

Buy new socks every term

(So glad my DD wears black socks now)

[tobysmum77]

I feel your pain dd's look awful

[DisappointedOne]

Scoop of vanish oxy action in the drum with the clothes. 40oC programme with prewash (don't add anything extra for the prewash though). Non-bio in the normal wash bit. Dry in full sun. Perfect white socks/shirts/towels etc.

[Shosha1]

Only ever wash whites with whites

Scoop of vanish white in with the liquid. 60 wash double rinse. Line dry in the sun

[Tinklewinkle]

I feel your pain. Our school has a no outdoor shoe policy. Socked feet or slippers.

DD hates slippers so her socks are absolutely minging.

I've given up with white socks, and now buy black ones

[princessvikki]

What washing powder do you us? I had the same problew until I switched to bold 2in1 now whites actually come out white

[CMOTDibbler]

Napisan and Lidl biological powder. Ds is the grubbiest urchin on this planet, but his cricket whites (because thats sooo practical for small boys), pe socks and school shirts come up sparkling.

[reni1]

Buy vanish carpet spray. Spray socks before wash, leave for 10 min. Discovered this accidentally when I mixed up the bottles.

[Idontseeanydragons]

I just gave up with school socks and bought new pairs from Primark when they started to look past rescuing!!
YY to cricket whites - I'd love a quiet word with the git who decided youth cricket was best played in white...
I ended up using facial scrub (from Avon) and a nail brush to get particularly stubborn grass and ball stains out at the weekend!

[TheFirstOfHerName]

We only ever put white stuff in the white wash.

Any whites that look at all discoloured or stained get soaked for an hour with Vanish before going in the washing machine.

[Lion12]

Microwave them! Put them in a bowl of water and zap them for a few minutes. It's basically like a boil wash.

[SycamoreMum]

What 70 and Disappointed said.

I use two Glo-Whites, two Fairy tabs, a drop of bleach in the drawer and lots of Comfort on a 60degree wash. I'm probably fucking up my washing machine but my babies socks, babygros and vests look brand new every wash

[noeffingidea]

This works on dirty stinky trainer socks. Wet in hot water then rub the bottom with a bar of soap (ordinary basic soap works fine). Rub it in and leave for half an hour or so. Rinse well in hot water.
I use this method for skiddy underwear (don't ask) and other stains as well. I never buy expensive stain removers now because honestly this works better.
And if you can, hang out in sunlight to dry. That makes it look even cleaner.

[Flossyfloof]

Ooh I had never thought of microwave! Well thought up, that woman!

[bilbodog]

This is why my mother would never let me and my sister have white socks when growing up (back in the 60s) we always had grey ones. I am still getting over it and always bought my daughter pretty socks!

[fedupbutfine]

wash whites with whites on a 60 degree cycle. Add a scoop of soda crystals to every wash - far cheaper than Vanish etc. and does a better job in my experience. It's in a green packet in the supermarket, amongst washing powders etc.

[steppemum]

I have never really understood this problem.
I am pretty slack housekeeper, I stick white stuff in with other white stuff.
Wash at 40, and then sometimes at 50.
Use asda's biological powder for whites.

They come out white. dd2 is wearing dd1 old socks, so soe of these have done 2 years.

Only time it doesn't work is when they are screwed up in a ball

[slippermaiden]

Yeah, give in and buy navy or grey ones. My daughter has navy, they look very nice.

[Lizsmum]

Thank you all ... I'm working my way through the suggestions. Socks are currently soaking in a strong Vanish solution and I will get some bio wash, soda, and cook in the microwave. I will not be defeated!

[dixiechick1975]

Line drying is supposed to help whites. My dd's school only allows navy socks for girls. A few years ago we had an email from school advising us how to care fro the pleated skirts (no tumble drying)

[MisForMumNotMaid]

I use soda crystals in a whites only hot wash.

For stuborn discolouration I overnight presoak in steralising solution.

Sun dry for extra bleaching.

If they're bad do the whole lot twice.

[chocomochi]

I only wash whites together and mine still come out dirty (soles of socks always seems to have caked on dirt/mud from playing!).

[Tanith]

DD has the sock of one of her pairs tinged pink. Only the one. No idea how - well, I do know that the red sock accidentally washed with the whites is responsible, but just one sock?

My washing machine indeed has an unfathomable mind of its own

[JustMarriedBecca]

Any tips for nectarine juice? Strawberry comes out with Dr Beckmann and vanish but nectarine juice is MY NEMESIS
#weaning