Handwashing filter socks?

[Eienna]

I've found myself in the position of having to wash my filter socks by hand. I really can't seem to get them clean. Any tips?

 

[saltyphish]

I just run mine in the washer hot water xl load. I have read of people washing them with bleach and soaking them in ro/di water with good results

 

[CoralClark]

Washer with a splash of bleach

 

[Downbeach]

I used the mesh type socks and would simply rinse them under the tap while rubbing them between my hands inside and out, then let them soak in a water bleach solution overnight, rinse them again and hang til dry.

 

[TheEngineer]

I run them in the washing machine inside out with a little bleach.

 

[klesel]

I never put mine in washer afraid of soap residue inside washer not going to chance it a small about of soap .I just soak mine in bleach water over night wash them out real good soak em in ro water with decloanator they come out clean .

 

[smh254]

I run them in the washing machine with bleach. I first run the wash with nothing in it to get out any soap.

 

[redfishbluefish]

First off I use seven inch mesh socks with that hard plastic ring at the top. I also have a top-loading agitating washing machine. Tried washing them once in the machine, and it tore up the plastic rings.

I do what @Downbeach does, rub fabric to fabric under running water. About once a year I soak them all in a little bleach.

 

[Eienna]

All I have is a laundromat, and I don't trust the machines to be free of harmful residue. That's why I have to do it by hand. Thanks for the tips. I'll try a good bleach soak, rubbing the together, and RO rinse after the main rinse.

 

[CastAway]

I don't worry about stains, or getting them perfectly clean. When they over flow I remove them, spray them out with a hose in the back yard. I use a narrow brass nozzle to get as forceful a stream as possible, and then just reinstall them. In the winter, if and when it gets too cold on my hands, I just quit using the socks altogether.

The idea of residual detergent or bleach is simply not worth the risk. There's no advantage whatsoever in cleanliness or nitrates in bright white filter socks.

 

[Andreww65]

I soak 4-5 bags in a 5 gallon bucket of water with a 1/4 cup bleach for 2 days. Rinse out well and wash inside out in the washer, white cycle, without any bleach or detergent. I let them air dry. I usually change the socks out every 2-3 days and have about 8-10 in supply. Let the bags air dry completely before use and have no bleach smell. I feel better with using a clean sock each time.

 

[sawdonkey]

Washer with bleach. I have about a dozen socks so I do big loads. I've been doing it this way for a few years with no issues. I have the socks with and without he plastic rings. No issues for either.

 

[Chaba]

I use kitchen sprinkle head then soak it in vinegar then rinse it.

 

[ksanfranfan]

I rinse mine in the sink with plain hot water inside and out. Wring them out and let them air dry.

 

[Mike in CT]

I just turn them inside out and blast them with a hose (at least when it's warm enough!) then I ring them out and let them dry.
In the summer I hang them outside for a few days and the sun bleaches them white.

 

[shoelaceike]

I make my own and toss them out when they get clogged. About 0.15 each.

 

[merlberg]

How often do you guys change your filter socks? I just started using one and its been like 4 days n its really brown already. And do you guys put anything in the filter sock or just use it as is?

 

[glb]

Is bleach just for the color? I'd be worried about residue. I'm building a sump and trying to decide if I want a filter sock.

 

[ALW]

I too, rinse them out in the sink under the sprayer (don't tell the wife!) turn it inside out again and put it back in the sump. Nitrates stay between 00.00 00.10. fish and corals all do great! no soap or bleach

 

[nervousmonkey]

+1 to @Downbeach and @redfishbluefish on rubbing the fabric together under running water; it gets a ton of nasty stuff out. Also +1 to @CastAway ; there is no advantage to the "filtering" part of a filter sock to bleaching them white. When I clean them out, usually every two or three days, rub the fabric against itself, then I peroxide the sock, then rinse it out with vinegar and rub the material against itself again under running water. That being said, I do bleach the nasty little things every once in a while just because I get tired of looking at filthy socks...