Hi - how do you all keep your white socks white? There are quite some “lifehacky” tips out there that are at the same time “debunked” by others. Tried baking soda once, hard to say if it worked.
Any tips beside washing only white clothes together and using color catcher sheets? Thanks!
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I have some recent experience to share after wearing some brand new white socks on a ride that unexpectedly turned rainy, gritty, and off-road. The socks and my poor shoes were absolutely filthy with every shade of white, gray, and black. After some internetting, I tried out a product called Oxiclean white revive. I did the process twice over the course of a day, then ran them though a small load wash with plenty of stain removing detergent and no bleach.
In the end, I was satisfied with the result. I don’t have a control to compare against but they seem as white as new with no stain or gray gradients. I would use again.
FWIW, my white shoes cleaned up well too, including the white stitching, with a Tide to-go pen and a lot of patience.
Soak in oxi clean before washing, then put some oxi clean in with the white wash.
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I have an issue with some (not all) synthetic whites becoming gray. It apparently happens because of detergent residue. Swiftwick white socks are among the worst offenders. I have tried everything, but recently found a solution that works for me. Periodically, I wash them with borax only, then wash them again with vinegar only (I use extra rinse). This works like a charm.
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Wear once and dispose. It’s the only way 
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Hand wash with laundry soap immediately after getting off the bike. You can just take them in the shower with you.
You have to put in the hard graft if you want white socks to keep looking white. So it might take a few rounds and plenty of elbow grease.
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Thanks to you all! Oxiclean white revive seems not to be available here in germany, but I’ll try some oxygen based bleach product that I can find. Will also try the borax method, hadn’t heard of that yet.
Napisan. God bless Napisan.
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This is my first season in a while of using white socks and so far my main weapon against greyness has been the weather forecast. White socks are for dry roads only - this is a bit limiting in Northern Scotland but it does mean that white sock days are special.
I also wash all of my kit separately from normal clothes on a short wash with liquid detergent which seems to keep everything in good condition longer (although can’t speak to the longevity of this approach for sock whiteness).
I have tried everything from bleach to oxi to I forget what else, and nothing works for rain-soaked white socks (at least my go-to cotton-blend Falke RU4s), so now I instead just dye them fuchsia when they get off-white enough. I have LOTS of fuchsia socks now, so I too take the weather forecast approach to wearing white socks.
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Thanks to you all for your answers and tips!
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Napisan but in hot water. Scrub if theres marks. Key is to do it straight after your ride and leave it for a good few hours, then in the wash with whites.
With all the special detergents and multiple washes its probably cheaper as well!
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