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Electrobes
Valuable Member
I tried that and unfortunately it did not work.
Am I being too paranoid about bleaching Filter Socks?
- Thread starter Electrobes
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DaveMorris
MACNA2016 Co-Chair
Washing them in only hot water did not work? What exactly do you mean? Adding bleach to the hot water doesn't make any noticeable difference other than bleaching whatever is left in the sock white. Doesn't mean that it was removed. I have never understood why people are so dead set on using bleach on filter socks. I'm no micro biologist but I would be shocked if any germs would survive the 190 degree water that my house water heater sends into the washing machine.
Been soaking mine in bleach. Sometimes I leave them in the bleach bucket for an entire week! Always rinse em good and let air dry for a week or more before using. No problems at all!
mfinn
likes zoanthids
There are many ways to do this chore.
Some people do like to have clean white filter socks.
And I will say that the bleach will remove some of the vegetable matter in the sock.
I've used bleach to strip unwanted button polyps off live rock before. Completely dissolves them.
mfinn
likes zoanthids
Holy :$& I've just been spraying my socks with a hose and letting them air dry. Should I be sending them through my washing machine instead?
Everybody has there way of doing these things. Most of the time everybody's way is the right way. Atleast for them.
GreatWhiteTang
Active Member
Bleach for 30 min.. Then soak with a dechlorinator overnight.. Then air dry.. If you can't smell it then ur good.. Rinse again for good measure.. Then back in.. Never had an issue for 5 years.. Now I don't wear silly socks 
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Electrobes
Valuable Member
The socks clogged faster, for me, if I only used the hot water cycle versus using bleach.
After using bleach, I found much fewer debris versus not using bleach.
For now its been working well, so I'll go with it. [emoji5]
Martyd
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This is exactly what I do and have never had a problem.
Daniel@R2R
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+1 This is what I do.
reiters
New Member
I could be completely wrong but it's my understanding that bleach breaks down quickly. It turns to salt (2NaOCl --> O2 + 2NaCl) when it breaks down. I wash mine in the washing machine on hot/cold and then set them in the sun to dry. I then use them as needed (sometimes within hours). I've never noticed any ill effects.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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While it may be fine after washing (I'm not entirely sure), bleach on a filter sock will contain and break down into many different compounds, some of which are toxic and/or irritating to organisms (hydroxyl radical, oxidized organic matter, hypochlorous acid, etc.). If you can smell it, it isn't just oxygen and salt.
robertfish50
New Member
I use some Hydrogen Peroxide and it gets them very clean.(bleach used to freak me out a bit)
saltyphish
Certified Sand Groomer
Same here! What else is needed? Does the bleach do something running the socks in the washer in hot water don't? They come out looking clean.
ReefCycle
Community Member
I have around 40-50 filter socks, weekly I have a nice bucket full of dirties. I run them inside out threw sink, to get the harshest dirt and debris out. Filter socks clean better IMO and wife appreciates less debris in washing machine. I run 2/3 cup of bleach on hot with extra spin cycle. Then run a hot quick cycle without bleach. After they are done I pull them all and they sit for a minimum of 24hrs but typically around a week and they are good to go. I remember reading that phosphates leach out of detergent residue and something else but never had an issue. So who knows, I would love to not have the extra maintence but then my sumps would be sloppy.
Rob Top1
Well-Known Member
For years with dozens of socks washed dozens of times( hundreds actually)
I use a clug clug of bleach with the socks inside out on a heavy soil setting. Then run through with just water for an extra good rinse.
Never had an issue on any system
I use a clug clug of bleach with the socks inside out on a heavy soil setting. Then run through with just water for an extra good rinse.
Never had an issue on any system
5Bucks
Community Member
I always use bleach. About 3/4 cup in small load with 6 socks in warm/hot wash with cold water double rinse. They're near dry after the spin cycle. But always, always let them dry at least a week before using again. Was told a long time ago that any residual bleach is gone once completely dry. With Randy's comment about breaking down into: "(hydroxyl radical, oxidized organic matter, hypochlorous acid, etc.)" I'm a little concerned. But, when I go to use them they don't have a smell.
Dextereef
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After I remove a used sock I rinse it out as best as I can and then soak it in a bucket of bleach until I have a good amount for a wash. I wash with hot water and a splash of bleach. I always put a second rinse on them then a second spin. They are usually pretty dry at this point. I let them sit out to completely dry. I never use a one unless its been sitting out for at least 24hrs. Never had a problem.
scooter
New Member
I leave my dirty socks sit in a bucket of water with bleach in it until all my socks are dirty. Then I rinse each sock off with a garden hose to remove the heavy stuff. into the washer on HOT wash. No soap, no bleach, extra rinse, fastest spin cycle. Let them air dry overnight. Been using the same socks for many years.
