How Do You Wash Filter Socks?
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sbash
Valuable Member
I don't use socks any more, but when I did, here was my process:
Two important notes after a year or so of only having two socks and hand washing them when swapping them out. I installed a hose attachment to my basement sink. This sped things up, but it still took a while to get nice and clean. I decided I needed more socks, so every time I went to the LFS, I bought a new sock. Socks aren't expensive, but back then I would have felt buying 10 at once. Once I had 10-15 socks, I used this process:
As soon as the sock is removed, I would turn it inside out and thoroughly rinse it. Takes 2 minutes tops.
Leave inside out, put it into a bucket, it will dry, no worries.
Once all the socks were dirty and rinsed, I put them into the washing machine:
1 cycle using hot water on gentle
1 cycle using warm water on gentle
No soap. I also keep my hot water tank on a pretty high setting.
While still wet (this is important), turn them right-side-in.
Put them somewhere to dry (don't just throw them into a wet).
Once dry, store for later use.
Gentle cycle may not be needed, but I didn't want them to get ripped apart...
Two important notes after a year or so of only having two socks and hand washing them when swapping them out. I installed a hose attachment to my basement sink. This sped things up, but it still took a while to get nice and clean. I decided I needed more socks, so every time I went to the LFS, I bought a new sock. Socks aren't expensive, but back then I would have felt buying 10 at once. Once I had 10-15 socks, I used this process:
As soon as the sock is removed, I would turn it inside out and thoroughly rinse it. Takes 2 minutes tops.
Leave inside out, put it into a bucket, it will dry, no worries.
Once all the socks were dirty and rinsed, I put them into the washing machine:
1 cycle using hot water on gentle
1 cycle using warm water on gentle
No soap. I also keep my hot water tank on a pretty high setting.
While still wet (this is important), turn them right-side-in.
Put them somewhere to dry (don't just throw them into a wet).
Once dry, store for later use.
Gentle cycle may not be needed, but I didn't want them to get ripped apart...
DesertReefT4r
Valuable Member
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HOT water in the sink, I just blast them until clean.
I could never get them very clean in my washer.
I generally wash mine by hand, well kinda, not really, I just flip them inside out, holding by the plastic portion I whip the sock on a hard surface. I'll pour some water on it again, making it heavy, and then whip it again a few more times. For the sections closer to the plastic ring, I just use a stick to whack at it. It gets clean very fast and it never gets exposed to detergents of any type.
The cons of this is that you get all the junk over you, that's why I do it outside. However, it's super cheap and pretty fast. I whip and whack them pretty hard.
I generally wash mine by hand, well kinda, not really, I just flip them inside out, holding by the plastic portion I whip the sock on a hard surface. I'll pour some water on it again, making it heavy, and then whip it again a few more times. For the sections closer to the plastic ring, I just use a stick to whack at it. It gets clean very fast and it never gets exposed to detergents of any type.
The cons of this is that you get all the junk over you, that's why I do it outside. However, it's super cheap and pretty fast. I whip and whack them pretty hard.
dansreef
Well-Known Member
I dont use socks anymore. Too much hassle. When I did, I would have several in rotation. I would remove the dirty sock, turn it inside out rinse it in a sink, then place it into a bucket. Once I had a critical mass of socks...I would take them to the wash machine and run them with non-scented bleach and hot water. No detergent. Then I would run them through once again only in hot water. Once done, I would turn them inside in... and let them air dry. I had a dozen or so socks in a rotation for a few years on my tanks. It just was too much of a hassle.
If I were to go that route again.... I think I would opt for a filter floss set up instead of socks. I have seen some slick setups. I just don't see the need for socks in my three systems. I manage water clarity with a skimmer and an algae scrubber. The rest of the detritus is removed via siphoning and vacuuming at water changes.
If I were to go that route again.... I think I would opt for a filter floss set up instead of socks. I have seen some slick setups. I just don't see the need for socks in my three systems. I manage water clarity with a skimmer and an algae scrubber. The rest of the detritus is removed via siphoning and vacuuming at water changes.
SharkAttack06
Community Member
I turn them inside out and throw them in the washing machine. Small amount of bleach, extra hot, gentle cycle. After the cycle is done I continue to do extra rinse cycles until the smell of bleach is gone. Then I let them air out for 24 hours before using them again. After that I do the "clean machine" cycle with OxiClean, or my wife will kill me. lol
Tennsquire
Well-Known Member
My filter sock is on the output of a Tunze DOC skimmer. The sock itself seems to be a nylon mesh. I have 3 that I rotate. I clean them in a large plastic drinking cup with hot water and a little bit of bleach. After about 20-30 minutes, everything is oxidized and rinses out easily in the kitchen sink with the sprayer from the faucet. I rinse well and let air dry, then rinse again before installing a clean sock the next time a change is needed.
jschultzbass
Valuable Member
Same. With bleach, as long as it is dry the bleach is gone so I give them about 3 days to get nice and dry before using again.
mmw64
Valuable Member
