Bleaching filter socks

[Cory]

When i bleach my filter socks what happens to the organics?

If it just makes them white, while leaving behind the organics, would it make more sense to soak them in acid to destroy the organics, then wash it?

 

[Diesel]

If you want to wash them then just wash them.
Bleach makes them just white.
I used to wash mine with some vinegar, not that it makes a difference on the socks but it cleans your washing machine nice.
Then again I haven’t been running socks for close to five years.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Bleach does not just make the junk white. It chemically breaks down organics so they release easier when washed.

 

[cracker]

I have always used bleach . I do a short cycle in the clothes washer. in plain water turned inside out .They are white at this point , then another short cycle with a little bleach. Out in the sun for a day . Never had any probs .

 

[mmw64]

I wash with bleach and set machine for extra rinse, then air dry.

 

[Jrainey312]

I've done bleach and I've just used the sprayer and hot water on my sink with out bleach. Only difference was they werent white after just the sprayer but still lasted the same amount of time back in the tank. Ive tried hydrogen peroxide a few times also not much difference

 

[Waters]

I wash in the sink, then soak in bleach for a couple of days.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I can't say what bleach does specifically. I can say that I just wash mine in the washer with no soap, detergent, vinegar or bleach. Just hot water. I stop the cycle and let them soak in the hot water for about 10 - 15 minutes. They always go in filthy, but come out clean.

 

[hatfielj]

I've been running mine in the washer with bleach, then I do a second cycle with just water to make sure they are fully rinsed. Then I let them air dry

 

[Diesel]

Anybody dropping them off at the dry cleaners

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Bleach does both to organics: makes them less colored, and can make many of them more soluble so they may wash away.

It may also sterilize the sock if it is strong enough.

 

[reefer1]

I have only used the high-pressure hose spray on my filter socks - too afraid of bleach. The socks don't look white though.
How do you ensure the bleach doesn't get into your reef system?

 

[reefer1]

I only use a high-pressure spray to clean my filter socks because I've always been afraid of the bleach getting back into my reef system.
How do you ensure the bleach stays out?

 

[Cory]

Thanks everybody for the replies.

 

[MnFish1]

When i bleach my filter socks what happens to the organics?

If it just makes them white, while leaving behind the organics, would it make more sense to soak them in acid to destroy the organics, then wash it?

If you have a laundry sink or a hose just rinse them with high pressure water no bleach. It takes 2 minutes and your done. Mine are white after that with no chemicals

 

[Jet915]

Marine depot has a youtube video on this. I rinse mine off, put it in a bowl with a cap of bleach and let it sit in hot water for 30 min, then i rinse again and put it back in the bowl with hot water and a cap of Prime. Another 30 min then I remove and let air dry.

 

[MnFish1]

Serious question: Is there really that much benefit to 'bleaching' and doing the other things vs just rinsing with a very strong water flow? Im just trying to figure out if im not doing 'enough' or others are doing 'too much' for not much benefit.. Thanks.

 

[falconut]

I too use my washing machine. I run a rinse cycle (without the socks to make sure there's no soap residue), then in go the socks with about a cap full of bleach for a normal wash cycle (they come out almost looking new & no bleach smell) and finally into the dryer. This has worked well for me with no ill results.

When I used the small 4" socks, I just soaked then in a 5 gallon bucket with a little bleach for a day or 2, then rinsed real good and left out to dry. Worked too, but never got them as clean as the washer.

 

[reefer1]

When I rinse the docks with a high-pressure spray, they look off-white. They aren’t as dark as before hand but don’t look new.
So, is it only the appearance or are there organics that remain?
It sounds like the bleach may help release some additional organics.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

When I rinse the docks with a high-pressure spray, they look off-white. They aren’t as dark as before hand but don’t look new.
So, is it only the appearance or are there organics that remain?
It sounds like the bleach may help release some additional organics.

Maybe, but it may also just oxidize them so they no longer are light absorbing. In any case, I’m not sure I see the advantage even if some organics are stripped off the sock that will not just rinse off. [emoji3]