How to wash white socks so they stay white

Short answer: Wash white socks separately at 40 degrees with a detergent for whites, avoid fabric softener and let them air dry. When white turns grey, it is usually due to residue in the fibres rather than dirt, and it can often be put right with a couple of extra washes.

Why white turns grey

Detergent residue, limescale from the water and dye from other clothes slowly settle in the fibres and give a greyish tint. It happens over many washes, so you only notice it when you put a new and an old sock side by side. That is why white bamboo socks should be washed separately and not with the rest of the laundry.

Wash whites on their own

Even light colours such as beige and pale blue release a little dye into the water, and white absorbs it. Collect your white socks in a bag or basket until there are enough for a load, or wash them with white towels and white underwear. That way they do not slowly change colour over the coming months.

Detergent for whites

A detergent for whites contains a bleaching agent that removes the grey tint and keeps whites bright. Use the recommended dose and no more. Too much detergent stays in the socks after rinsing and creates a grey tint of its own over time. If you have hard water, follow the dosage for hard water on the packet.

Skip the fabric softener

Fabric softener leaves a thin film on the fibres. It may make the fabric feel softer for a while, but it also holds on to dirt and residue and makes white socks look dull. At the same time, the fabric becomes worse at moving moisture away from the foot. Bamboo viscose is soft on its own, so the softener can stay in the cupboard.

Soak them if they are discoloured

If your socks are already grey, soak them for a few hours in lukewarm water with a little detergent for whites before they go in the machine. Soaking loosens residue that a normal wash does not reach. Repeat it twice a few days apart. Most people see a clear difference after the second round, without the socks being harmed.

Do not boil them

Boiling white laundry is an old habit, but socks have elastic, and high heat wears it out quickly. The socks do not get any whiter from boiling either, because the grey tint sits in the residue and not in the dirt. Wash them at 40 degrees like the rest of your socks and let the detergent do the work.

Air dry and keep dark clothes out

Air dry white pairs on a rack, and the elastic and shape will last longest. Make sure no single dark item sneaks into the machine, because one black sock can give the whole load a grey tint. That way the white pairs from socks for women and the rest of the drawer keep their colour for as long as possible.

Frequently asked questions

Can grey socks become white again

Often, yes. Two washes with detergent for whites, ideally with a soak beforehand, usually make a clear difference to socks that have turned grey from residue.

Does soaking help

Yes. A few hours in lukewarm water with detergent for whites before washing helps with discolouration, because the residue in the fibres is loosened before the machine starts.

Can white socks be boiled

No. High heat wears out the elastic, so the sock loses its fit, and it does not get any whiter either. 40 degrees with detergent for whites is enough.