Boil your socks to whiten them: discover this and other methods to get them as white as possible!

White terry socks are quite popular, especially which those who play sports. They are very resistant and comfortable when worn, as they absorb sweat better than many other more refined but thinner sock types. However, this means that they end up getting dirty frequently and, just as often, have to be washed. The more you use and wash these types of socks, the more you find yourself with socks that, although intact, are no longer as white as they originally used to be. Over time, they will take on a greyish color that no amount of washing seems able to remove.

At this point you can try using a few different home remedies: one is boiling the socks in a pot, but there are other remedies which you can try. Find out about some of these below.

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• Boil the socks: fill a large pot with water, add half a cup of lemon juice (alternatively, two tablespoons of citric acid), a dash of dishwashing liquid and put your socks into the mix. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes (maximum 20) then remove them with the help of tongs, wring them out (use gloves so as not to burn yourself) and then put them in a regular wash in the washing machine.
• Baking Soda: There are various ways to use baking soda in these cases. You can soak the socks in warm water in a sink or bowl, and add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda to the water. Leave the socks to soak for a few hours. After wringing them out, you can put them in the washing machine with the regular load of laundry, adding half a glass (or a little more) bicarbonate to the drum before starting the washing cycle.
• With dishwasher tablets: Fill the sink or basin with hot water, add the socks and then put a dishwasher tablet or two into the sink, moving everything around with a wooden spoon so that the tablets dissolve completely. Leave the socks to soak for several hours (even overnight), then proceed with a regular wash in the washing machine.
• Sodium percarbonate: this alkaline substance also has a sanitizing and whitening function, which is why it is an excellent ally for whitening laundry. Fill a basin with hot, but not boiling water (it must be between 40 and 60 degrees C [104 - 140 degrees F]), pour in two scoops of percarbonate (or follow the proportions indicated on the package) and immerse the socks, to be left to soak for 3 hours. Thereafter, wash them normally.
• In less serious cases, you can simply pre-treat the socks by rubbing in a little white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide before putting the socks in the washing machine.

Do you have a favorite method of whitening your terry cloth socks?