Soccer socks are part of the mandatory equipment for players; that’s why you’ll always see them on their feet in cleats. Aside from keeping their feet warm on cold days, soccer socks protect their legs from scratches caused by contact.
They can become quite dirty and stinky after a long game. As a result, they must be washed and dried when dirty. Aside from the physical cleanliness that clean socks provide, these kits allow the foot to be lifted properly during gameplay.
Clean socks not only help prevent blisters, but it is a guaranteed way to avoid getting infections on foot injuries if they occur.
Soccer players understand the importance of washing soccer socks, but cleaning them properly is always a problem for many.
Yes, socks may be one of the cheapest pieces of clothing on the market, but they must be properly cared for. To that end, this article goes over the various methods for washing soccer stockings.
Quick Navigation
How to wash soccer socks?
You can do more than just throw soccer socks into the washing machine with the rest of your laundry. There are other ways to wash socks carefully so that they are spotlessly clean, fresh, and ready to be used for another hectic day. Just like with other clothing types, socks should be separated and washed by color types.
Boiling water washes it clean
Washing socks in boiling water not only kills germs and harmful diseases but also keeps the water soft enough for easy lather with soap. The methods listed below are steps to follow to achieve this.
Step 1: Fill the water pan with water.
Find a large bowl that is capable of holding the socks and is wide enough to allow for hand scrubbing movement. This is because you will be washing them by hand.
Step 2: Create a washing mixture
Add half a cup of lemon juice, deep-cleaning dish soap, and water to the pan.
- Contains 3x more grease-cleaning power (cleaning ingredients per drop vs. The leading competitor's...
- Concentrated formula helps you get through more dishes with less dishwashing liquid
- Original Scent. 50% Less Scrubbing
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Step 3: Soak your unwashed socks
Put your socks in the pan containing your washing mixture. However, make certain that the socks are immersed in water.
Step 4: Boil the mixture
Place the pan over a heat source to boil. Allow the socks to boil for 20 minutes.
Step 5: Wash the socks
Socks can now be washed as usual. By boiling, it helps to kill off bacteria or other types of germs.
Step 6: Put to dry
Place your clean socks out to dry. They’ll smell better and look fresher when dried.
Pros
When it comes to cleaning, nothing compares to the deep cleaning action of hot water. This is because the molecules of hot water move way faster than that of cold water. Then the obvious fact that it kills germs – that’s getting a two-part action of deep cleaning and germs removal.
Cons
Hot water seems to work best with white-colored socks. This is because, over time, hot water makes colors fade out.
It can also damage clothing fibers and cause shrinkage. In an era of saving the environment, having to use hot water for every wash is only not eco-friendly by consuming energy but it cost you more.
Sock Whitening with Hydrogen Peroxide
One can use hydrogen peroxide to whiten and brighten white soccer socks. It is not only effective at removing stains, but it is also a good disinfectant. Here’s how to have your socks cleaned with hydrogen peroxide.
- 32-fluid ounce bottle of first aid antiseptic
- First aid to help prevent risk of infection from minor cuts, scrapes and burns
- Active ingredient: 3% hydrogen peroxide (stabilized)
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Step 1: Mix the Hydrogen Peroxide in Water.
The first step is to prepare a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide and water, preferably warm water. A cup of hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water is the recommended ratio.
Step 2: Soak the socks in the mixture
You can now soak your socks in the mixture. The mixture should be soaked for about 30 to 60 minutes.
Step 3: Put socks in the washing machine
Put the socks in the washing machine, add half a cup of hydrogen peroxide to the bleach dispenser, and start the machine.
Step 4: Dry your socks
Spin the machine to allow for drying. For maximum effect, you can place the socks under sunlight to dry.
Pros
When your white soccer socks become yellow and dull, the best way to restore them to their shining glory is to bleach them out with hydrogen peroxide. It is also very effective in the removal of odors and stinky smells.
Cons
Although considered a mild bleach, hydrogen peroxide cannot be used for all colors of clothing material. In some cases, it causes the colors to run and fade out.
It should not be used with vinegar, chlorine bleach, and ammonia. The resulting mixture produces a gas that’s an irritant to both the eyes and skin.
Baking soda to remove odors and stains
Baking soda, in addition to being used in the kitchen by bakers, can be used to wash socks because it is a natural deodorizer and cleanser. Using it to wash your socks is an excellent way to gently clean the dirt and remove tough odors.
Aside from that, baking soda softens socks, keeps them white, and has been known to increase the cleaning performance of the detergent. The steps below explain how to wash socks with baking soda.
- America's no 1 trusted baking soda brand
- The standard of purity
- Hundreds of uses
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Step 1: Combine the water and baking soda.
First, in a large bucket or bowl, combine a generous amount of baking soda with water. The water should be at a comfortable temperature.
Step 2: Soak the socks in warm water.
Add your socks to the mixture and soak them for a few hours.
Step 3: Put the socks in a washing machine
Rinse out the mixture by squeezing the soaked socks before placing them in the laundry machine.
Step 4: Add baking soda
Add an extra cup of baking soda, together with detergent, to your machine’s dispenser.
Step 5: Soften socks with white vinegar
You can never go wrong with a little white vinegar to help rinse out your socks. Just add a cup of white vinegar when it’s time to rinse.
Pros
Other cleaning agents contain certain levels of toxic ingredients. Baking soda on the other hand is a natural ingredient. This makes it super safe to use around kids and pets.
With almost no smell, it is less of an irritant to the nose and also the skin. This means it can be used directly with the hands. You also would not have to worry about your pocket because they’re an effective cheaper alternative to cleaning socks and eliminating odors.
Baking soda is a multi-purpose substance that has a variety of use in the home. You can rest assured that it eliminates stains and drives out odor from your soccer socks when used.
Cons
Although when mixed with vinegar, baking soda residues are eliminated, the fact remains that you could have residues on your socks if you’re not familiar with the baking soda and vinegar mixture.
Deep-cleaning detergents are popular today because using cleaning agents like baking soda takes a lot of time to mix. You would have to figure out the right quantity of water to make a mixture and then decide if adding vinegar is worth the extra stress.
Sock Whitening with Bleach
Bleach, through an oxidation process, converts dirt in soccer socks into soluble particles that are removed by detergents during the washing process. Furthermore, some bleaches sterilize by killing bacteria.
As a result, when it comes to having their soccer socks cleaned, the majority of players use bleach as a prewash. In addition to bleach, it is common to see detergent used with it.
- 121-oz. bottles
- Sold in cases of 3, priced per case
- coli and listeria in addition to salmonella.
Last update on 2022-06-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The steps for cleaning soccer socks with bleach are outlined below.
Step 1: Make the mixture
To begin, fill a sink halfway with warm water. Add about four tablespoons of bleach to the water.
Step 2: Pour in the washing soap.
Add a few drops of washing soap to the mixture and soak the socks for 10 to 15 minutes, or longer if they are particularly dirty.
Step 3: Let it wash
After soaking, wash them as usual.
Pros
The name bleach is synonymous with purification and cleaning. When you think about whitening or properly cleaning clothing material, the first thing that comes to mind is bleach. Add to that, it is cost-effective and easily available.
Cons
As a corrosive substance, not only is it not entirely eco-friendly, it’s an irritant to the eyes, nose, and skin. Mixed with a wrong cleaning substance like ammonia can cause the production of an irritant toxic gas. It cannot be used on colored socks to avoid fading.
Sock Whitening with Laundry Detergent
Sometimes all you need is detergent and a little lemon juice to make a pair of sparkling clean and neat socks. Follow the steps outlined below to accomplish this.
Step 1: Pour some lemon juice into a bucket of water.
To begin, have a container filled with water; again preferably warm water. Wet the socks in water and add lemon juice to them.
Step 2: Pour in the soap and soak for a few minutes.
Add a drop of high-efficiency laundry soap to the mixture, focusing on the filthy areas of the socks.
- America’s #1 detergent brand* (*Tide, based on sales)
- Cleans deep and smells fresh
- Cleans, freshens, whitens, brightens
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Step 3: Put in a plastic bag
Place the socks in a plastic bag, keep them sealed, and leave them overnight.
Step 4: Carry on with your regular cleaning routine.
By morning, after the sock has been properly soaked, wash it by hand or have it done by the washing machine.
Pros
Laundry detergents help you save time because they come as an already prepared mixture. They dissolve quickly in the molecules of cold water, making them an effective cleaning agent that saves you energy. Most of them have a long shelf life, making it worth the purchase.
Cons
While powdered laundry detergents may be cheaper than their liquid counterpart, the cost of laundry detergents – in comparison to other cleaning substances – is quite expensive.
How do you get mud out of white soccer socks?
It is common for a soccer player to leave the game with muddy socks. To restore it to a good condition and as sparkling white as possible, there are things to try.
The following steps are simple to implement and will ensure that your socks look brand new for the next game. Typically, you will need bleach, lemon juice, and detergent for this.
Step 1: Dry the muddy sock.
To begin, it is important to dry the muddy socks under sunlight. Dried muddy socks would allow for easy removal of the mud from the socks. Not only is there difficulty in removing mud from wet socks, but you’ll also end up spreading the dirt and creating more mess.
Step 2: Scrape the mud from the socks.
Remove the mud from the socks using a handy tool. It’ll come off easily after it has thoroughly dried.
Step 3: Add detergent to the water
Get a large bucket and fill it with water. Mix a reasonable amount of deep-cleaning detergent in water. For maximum washing effect, it’s best to follow the instructions on the label of the detergent – different detergent brands sometimes required different quantities for a pre-soak.
Step 4: Add lemon juice
To effectively remove mud stains from socks, add lemon juice. It acts as a natural bleaching agent to the mixture. The mixture should be made with a 1:1 gallon ratio of water and lemon juice.
Step 5: Allow the socks to soak.
Submerged the socks in the solution and allow them to soak for some hours.
Step 6: Place the socks in the washer.
After about 2-3 hours, take the soaked socks out of the bucket and into the washing machine. It’s best to wash with warm water. You can wash it with regular detergent or, if there are stubborn stains, with bleach.
Step 7: Examine the washed socks
The stains may still be present in some cases. As a result, inspect the socks after they’ve been washed. If they are still muddy, repeat steps 1 through 6 to wash them a second time.
Conclusion
The socks, like the rest of the soccer gear, are prone to dirt and mud clinging to them. Furthermore, the sweat produced during the game makes them stinky and unsuitable for use again without a wash.
To that end, the article described in detail the procedures and tips for cleaning dirty and muddy soccer socks. However, colored socks should not be washed in the same manner as white socks, and bleach should not be used to prevent color loss.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!