Whiten stained socks by adding 1 ‘magic’ item to the washing machine - not vinegar

All you need to do is add lemon juice to the detergent drawer of your washing machine (Image: Getty)

Nothing is better than slipping into a pair of warm socks during colder seasons, but it can be frustrating when your favourite white socks come out of the wash still dingy and discoloured. 

White socks tend to be tricky as sweat stains show up more prominently on the fabric and can build up over time meaning they cannot be removed with your usual laundry detergent. 

Although it may seem obvious to use bleach to whiten laundry, it is one of the worst things to wash socks with as the chlorine will cause a chemical reaction that intensifies the stains rather than remove them.

Instead, Olivia, an expert from ClothesLyne, has shared that the best way to clean white socks is simply using lemon juice as it contains acidic components that can break down even the toughest stains.

Olivia said: “Lemon juice is renowned for its stain-removing properties. Whether it’s tomato sauce, ink, or red wine, a splash of lemon juice can work wonders for stain removal. 

White socks can be tricky to get clean if you do not use the right product (Image: Getty)

“The high citric acid content in lemon effectively breaks down stains, leaving our clothes spotless.” 

It may seem simple, but the citric acid in lemon juice is able to deeply penerate the fabric of socks and break down various stains such as dirt, sweat and even grease.

Not only will lemon juice remove stains but it also has mild bleaching properties so it will restore the socks to their original whiteness and make them look brand new again, 

How to use lemon juice to get rid of white sock stains

All you need to do is add half a cup of lemon juice to the detergent drawer of the washing machine and place your socks on a warm water cycle while washing your whites. 

If you wish, you can also add a quarter cup of lemon juice while your laundry is on its final rinse cycle which does not fully get rid of stains but helps leave clothes feeling softener. 

Once your socks have fully been washed either place them on a low-heat setting on your dryer or hang them up to dry.

Hang socks outside if you wish to enhance the power of lemon juice (Image: Getty)

However, if you want to make sure these pesky stains are fully gone then hang your socks outside on a sunny day as the ultraviolet in sunlight will enhance the stain removal properties of lemon juice.

Olvia explained: “Lemon juice’s power comes from its high citric acid content, which, when combined with sunlight, works as a natural bleach. It breaks down colour molecules that dull white clothes and restores their brightness.” 

Once you take your socks off the washing line you should be clean, fresh and completely stain-free.

However, if you are still having trouble with white socks stains then try washing them with lemon juice again or soak them overnight in a tub filled with warm water and lemon juice. 

You can also make lemon juice much more powerful by pairing it with salt as it will help boost the citric acid to make it a more potent cleaning solution. 

Olivia said: “Try pairing lemon juice with salt to make it an even more effective stain remover. The abrasive nature of salt works with the acidity of lemon juice to break down and remove stains.”

She added said: “So remember, next time there’s a stain that won’t shift, don’t fret. Harness the power of lemon juice and let it work its magic.”