Revive dirty white socks by washing with 1 kitchen staple - but do not add baking soda

White socks are notorious for showing every bit of dirt, and after just a few wears, they often end up stained, grubby, and far from fresh. With kids going back to school, parents are searching for the best ways to keep their whites looking crisp, and while most opt for expensive detergents or bleach, there's actually a simple kitchen staple that can bring back brightness with minimal effort.

According to cleaning experts at The Spruce, white vinegar is the best solution for dirty white socks. They revealed: "Distilled white vinegar contains acetic acid and is produced through the process of distilling alcohol. The mild acid in the vinegar helps remove some stains and cut through residue left behind from underarm deodorants and laundry products."

How to revive white socks

"Add one cup of white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, then heat the water to boiling and add the dingy items. Allow them to soak overnight, and then launder as usual."

If you're still struggling with tough stains, the home experts warn against mixing white vinegar with another popular natural ingredient, baking soda. They advise: "Do not combine baking soda and vinegar in the same cycle when doing laundry.

"If combined, the individual benefits cancel each other out in the wash or rinse water and do not impact laundry cleanliness. Neither is effective alone as a substitute for a well-balanced laundry detergent, but can be functional when used correctly."

When to use baking soda

Baking soda is best used to remove foul odours from dirty socks. It neutralises acidic and basic odour molecules, leaving them odour-free. It also acts as a natural, mild alkali that helps dissolve dirt and grease in water, but should only be a substitute when white vinegar doesn't work.

According to The Spruce, cleaning white socks with baking soda is easy. In a bowl or jar, add one to two cups of baking soda to warm water.

Stir well to dissolve, and then fill a sink with cool water and add the dissolved baking soda. Add the stinky socks and allow them to soak overnight. Drain the water and then wash the laundry.

However, other home experts disagree and suggest that using both is the best method for stain removal. Socks Wiki revealed that evidence shows combining baking soda and vinegar creates a fizzing reaction that can dislodge dirt from fabric fibres.

Simply fill a bowl or your sink with hot water, add a cup of white vinegar or baking soda, and soak your socks for 30 minutes to several hours, depending on how stubborn the stains are. "This method allows the cleaning agents to penetrate fabric fibres, making it easier to lift the stains during the main wash cycle."

Alternatives

Homeowners can also use lemon juice instead of vinegar due to its antibacterial, antiseptic, and bleaching properties. Soak 'greying' white socks in warm water with freshly squeezed lemon juice for two to three hours. Then wash as usual to see them brighten up, reported The Sock Shop.