White socks that have gone grey
Short answer: White socks turn grey from colour released by other clothes and from detergent residue that binds dirt in the fabric. Wash them separately with the right amount of detergent and soak them if they have already gone grey. They usually become lighter again.
Colour from other clothes
The grey tint usually comes from washing with coloured clothes. Even a pair of dark socks or a black t-shirt releases a little colour in every wash, and it settles evenly in the white fibres. You will not see it after one wash, but after ten. Wash whites separately. More in sorting the laundry.
Detergent residue in the fabric
Too much detergent does not rinse out completely. The residue stays in the fibres and binds dirt from every new wash, so the socks slowly turn dull and grey. Dose by water hardness and soiling. Read how to dose detergent correctly.
Soak the socks
If the socks are already grey, soak them for about an hour in lukewarm water with a little detergent. Stir a few times so the water reaches all of the fabric. Then wash them on their own at 40 degrees. Repeat a few times, as the tint sits in many layers and rarely disappears at once.
Do not use chlorine
Chlorine can look like the quick fix, but it breaks down bamboo viscose. The fibres weaken, and over time the fabric takes on a yellowish tint that cannot be washed out again. That is worse than the grey. Stick to ordinary detergent, soaking and patience.
Sun on the washing line
Sunlight has a mild bleaching effect, which helps with white clothes. Hang white socks outside on a dry day, preferably inside out, so the sun reaches the side that was against the foot. It is no miracle, but it helps over time. More tips in how to keep white clothes white.
Temperature and programme
White bamboo socks are washed at 40 degrees. A higher temperature does not make them whiter, but it wears on the fibres and the elastic in the cuff. Choose a programme with a good rinse and do not fill the drum completely, so the water can move freely.
See the range
White socks are a basic that most people wear every day, which is also why they are washed most often. Small mistakes in the wash therefore show quickly. To see the styles, look at all bamboo socks for men, where you can also see which colours are available besides white.
Washing in general
Grey socks are often a sign that the washing routine as a whole can be adjusted. The same rules apply to the rest of your bamboo clothing: the right temperature, the right dose and no tumble dryer on high heat. It is not hard once the routine is in place. The remaining rules are collected in the washing guide.
Buy matching pairs and replace them together
If half of your white socks are grey, the whole pile looks mixed, and it is hard to find two pairs that match. Replace them together so every pair starts with the same shade. See the styles in bamboo socks for women.
Keeping them white
Once the socks are light again, the task is keeping them that way. Wash whites separately, use a little less detergent than you think and let them dry in the air. Turn them inside out before washing so dirt from the sole loosens more easily. Small habits do more than a strong product.
Frequently asked questions
Why do white socks turn grey?
Because of colour from other clothes in the same wash and detergent residue that stays in the fabric and binds dirt. Both build up slowly over many washes, so you only notice it after a while.
Can grey socks become white again?
They often get lighter if you soak them in lukewarm water with a little detergent and then wash them on their own. Repeat it a few times, as the grey tint sits in several layers of the fabric.
Can I use chlorine on bamboo socks?
No, chlorine breaks down bamboo viscose and over time gives a yellowish tint that does not go away. Stick to ordinary detergent, soaking and drying in sunlight when the weather allows it.
See our range of men's bamboo socks.
