Cleaning Filter Socks

[rcpalmer1]

You’re way overthinking the process. Throw them in the washer inside out with 1/2 cup of bleach, use extra rinse then dry for maybe 15 minutes and your socks are ready to use. I’m no expert but i’ve Been doing this for just about a year with no harm on my 200 gallon tank. Good luck

I agree with Merv49. I have 6 socks between my systems. I have a bucket that I throw the dirty socks in. Once it gets full it dump it in the washer and run it on a normal cycle. When they come out they are almost dry. I just make sure they are spread out when I put them in my cabinet and I have never had a problem.

 

[Lukejstn]

Hot water only in washing machine.

 

[Forsaken77]

Afternoon Reefers!

I have about 10 filter socks I’m ready to clean . I’ve heard good things about bleach also bad things. I’ve heard people use peroxide or people just wash them. I’ve heard people don’t use them or buy a new one every time .

This is what I’m thinking :
-Run washed with vinegar prior to washing filter sock
-Wash filter socks in washing machine with vinegar with an added rinse cycle on a sanitary mode .
- Let dry 3 to 4 days

My washing machine has a sanitary cycle which will heat up the water to kill all bacteria and germs is this something I should use or do you think it would ruin my filter sock ?

Any other ideas of how to clean them I’m really torn after all I read . I’m ready to clean them

I read a report 2 years ago where somebody did a microscopic test between bleach and peroxide (and showed pictures).

Soaking in peroxide actually removed algae from the sock, where bleach just dyed it white (the abridged version).

So I use a 2 gallon pail with an air tight gamma seal lid, use straight 3% peroxide and soak up to 6-8 at a time. They must be dry before putting them in the peroxide. Then when the pail is stuffed full and peroxide overflows when I try to seal it, I throw them in the washer.

I make sure to run a full machine worth of hot water first to get any soap residue, then I run the socks through on a wash cycle and 2 rinse-only cycles. Air dry, rinse & repeat.

I have 25, 50-micron socks that I rotate around. Buying them in bulk from a sock manufacturer is much cheaper ($2-$3/sock).

 

[Ferrell]

Turn inside out, use hose on tub to spray, wash squeeze wash squeeze. Turn right side in repeat til water is clear and socks are clean. Turn upside down til dry. Easy peezy

 

[BigAsh]

I am not worried about bacteria. I’m trying to help control nitrates and phosphates by changing socks twice a week. I have always thought that bleach oxidizes stuff, thus making it relatively inert even though it may not remove all the mass. I bleach in the machine, soak overnight in RO with de- Chlor and then air dry.

 

[Joe Rice]

I have twelve 7" filter socks. When I take out a dirty one I pull it inside-out while it's still wet and hang it over my slop sink to dry for a day. I like to invert it while it's wet because it doesn't send a cloud of dust into the air like it does when dry. The next day I throw it into a box with other dirty socks. When I'm on my last sock, I throw them all in the washing machine (front-loader) with a bit of bleach on a short cycle with an extra rinse. Then I run two more short cycles with no bleach - so just water. When that's done I take them out and let them air dry for at least two days. Been doing this for two years without any issues.

 

[dealseer]

Mine go through the washing machine using vinegar instead of soap with an extra rinse cycle. Let them dry for a couple of days and so far I have had no problems.
I too have heard of a lot of people using bleach, but I am just too nervous to do that.

What about the bleach makes you nervous?

 

[mmw64]

Bleach and extra rinse cycle here too. Just let them dry out. Also, it doesn't take much bleach.

+1

 

[Ferrell]

Water only. I have a small hose on my 100+ year old claw foot tub and I just “pressure wash” them and let them dry thoroughly. No muss no fuss

 

[afuel]

Use a hand held sprayer with garden hose hooked to mop sink faucet. Clean inside and out till water runs clear. Don’t let the filter socks dry out or they are done. Bleach may turn them white but my method shows they can’t really be cleaned after drying out

 

[Somuchflo99]

All I do is wash in hot water in the washer let dry beat dust out than rinse in ro water