Is cleaning filter socks in the washing machine safe?

[BitFix]

I plan on using filter socks for my reef tank, but I live in a apartment and can only clean then in my washing machine, but is it safe? I mean, won't it be there soap residue in the machine that could hurt my system? Should I do a quick cycle before to remove soap or should I not worry at all?

 

[glb]

I plan on using filter socks for my reef tank, but I live in a apartment and can only clean then in my washing machine, but is it safe? I mean, won't it be there soap residue in the machine that could hurt my system? Should I do a quick cycle before to remove soap or should I not worry at all?

I wouldn’t put them in with your wash. Can you soak them in a bucket or sink? I use mesh socks that I can clean in the bathroom sink. They’re much easier than the felt ones.

 

[BitFix]

I wouldn’t put them in with your wash. Can you soak them in a bucket or sink? I use mesh socks that I can clean in the bathroom sink. They’re much easier than the felt ones.

I wanted to use felt ones, since they remove much more particles

 

[glb]

I wanted to use felt ones, since they remove much more particles

They do, but remember they don’t need to be as clean as your clothes. You could soak them in some water with bleach, rinse them really well then throw them in a bucket of water with Prime to neutralize the bleach. Make sure to test the water they’re in to make sure the bleach is gone before you put them in the tank.

 

[BitFix]

They do, but remember they don’t need to be as clean as your clothes. You could soak them in some water with bleach, rinse them really well then throw them in a bucket of water with Prime to neutralize the bleach. Make sure to test the water they’re in to make sure the bleach is gone before you put them in the tank.

Ok, Will look into it. But do you know if a mesh sock will remove critters like copepods and amphipods, since I plan on having a refugium.

 

[jlancas81]

I keep my dirty ones in a bucket. I then run t the washing machine empty with bleach, then run socks with bleach. One more was with nothing but water, followed by air dry. Probably overkill, but have never had an issue

 

[dbl]

You can wash your socks in the washing machine (alone) with a little bleach. Do an extra rinse cycle or two after washing. Hang to air dry for a couple of days and they're good to go.

 

[BitFix]

You can wash your socks in the washing machine (alone) with a little bleach. Do an extra rinse cycle or two after washing. Hang to air dry for a couple of days and they're good to go.

So the soap residue won't transfer to my sock? Or hurt my system?

 

[davocean]

You can wash your socks in the washing machine (alone) with a little bleach. Do an extra rinse cycle or two after washing. Hang to air dry for a couple of days and they're good to go.

Ditto

 

[davocean]

So the soap residue won't transfer to my sock? Or hurt my system?

Only if you were really sloppy and pouring all over the place leaving soap residue everywhere that never got rinsed would I even think about it, and even then a simple hand rinse in a sink afterwards(clean and free of soap) would solve that.
Now that you've reminded me I guess I gotta get up and throw my socks in, I'm due!

 

[marvelousone]

I hose mine off with water hose. soak in bleach water for 24 hours then rinse cycle in washer. Have doing this for over a year. No problems.

 

[Flippers4pups]

You can wash your socks in the washing machine (alone) with a little bleach. Do an extra rinse cycle or two after washing. Hang to air dry for a couple of days and they're good to go.

Yep, that's what I do. Works very well. I also rinse before use with a little RO/DI water and wring them out before putting them on.

 

[BitFix]

Will a mesh sock remove to much Microfauna? Or is that not a problem?

 

[lapin]

Here is what I do. Put socks in bucket until bucket is full. Turn them inside out with end of broom handle. Rinse off any chaeto, cig butts or other big stuff. Run washing machine on rinse cycle with nothing in it. When done toss in socks and put 1 cup of bleach in soap tray.
Wash and add a second rinse to the cycle. When done smell socks to see if bleach is present. If so rinse one more time. Let dry 1 day before use.

 

[lapin]

Will a mesh sock remove to much Microfauna? Or is that not a problem?

That is a whole nother issue for debate. To sock or not sock debate

 

[BitFix]

That is a whole nother issue for debate. To sock or not sock debate

Where do you stand in that debate ? I'd like to hear as many opinions as possible

 

[Paul1961]

I have put in wash machine, but sock threads slightly damaged, so just soak in bleach/water now, work the sock a little, and water rinse well afterwards.

 

[lapin]

Where do you stand in that debate ?

I have about 50 of them, maybe more. I would rather filter out the stuff and wash socks than clean my sump and pumps. My sump only contains rocks in a basket and cryptic sponges on those rocks. They dont need big chunks of stuff to survive. No light needed. I have a separate fuge that tank water passes thru.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

You can wash your socks in the washing machine (alone) with a little bleach. Do an extra rinse cycle or two after washing. Hang to air dry for a couple of days and they're good to go.

+1 more, this is how I clean mine as well.

 

[JMetaxas]

Washing machine, no detergent. Just a couple ounces of bleach. Hot water with an extra rinse step. Oh yea, I turn them inside out.