White socks can be tricky to wash as lighter fabric tends to absorb stains quickly and the grime will build up in the fibres if you do not use the right product.

Many people use bleach to wash white laundry, but it is unlikely to get your socks clean as it will not work on protein-based stains like sweat, body oils and most dirt marks. 

Bleach will simply deepen the stain, which will cause the socks to turn a dingy yellow or grey colour. This will eventually wear down the fibres, so you are likely to get holes.

Instead, Jahid Hasan, an expert from Hamlet Laundry, is urging people to ditch buying pricy cleaners as the best way to get white clothes clean again is to use lemon juice. 

He said: “Let’s face it, we’ve all been seduced by those bright bottles with impossible promises. But here’s the thing: most of them can’t do anything that lemon juice can’t do, and better.” 

Lemon juice contains a natural substance called citric acid which is acidic enough to dissolve common sock stains while still being gentle on the fabric. 

Not only is lemon juice mildly antibacterial to help disinfect clothes, but it can naturally brighten them as well, which makes it great to use for white socks. 

Jahid said: “Lemon juice isn’t just for your tea- it’s a natural bleach that can make your whites even whiter. 

“The citric acid in lemon juice works as a gentle bleaching agent, helping to lift stains and brighten fabrics without the harshness of traditional chemical bleaches.”

How to use lemon juice to get rid of sock stains

All you need to do is pour 120ml of lemon juice directly into the drum or detergent drawer of your washing machine.

For particularly stubborn stains, apply fresh lemon juice directly onto the stained area and sprinkle a pinch of salt into the socks as well. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes and then wash as usual. 

Add your laundry detergent like you normally would and wash on a hot cycle. After the wash is done, make sure to give your socks a rinse to help remove any excess lemon juice. 

Then, hang your socks up to dry or place them in a tumble dryer on a low heat. Once the socks are dry, they should now be sparkling clean. 

If you are hanging the socks up, then try to dry them outside if you can, as sunlight also helps naturally whiten fabric and will react to the citric acid to also further help break down stains. 

Your white socks will be brighter, stain-free and smell absolutely incredible thanks to this easy but effective laundry solution.