Jorge Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Been washing my filter socks in the washer machine with bleach. First wash is on soak, then I do a second wash just water. I let air dry and then reuse. I've been doing it this way for a while now. My only concern is when dry they still have that bleach smell to them. Should I be doing something different? How are you guys/gals cleaning you filter socks? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I just rinse mine in the backyard with the hose. I never worried about bleaching them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Here is a good write up on an alternative by one of our old members http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1943735 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanmike01 Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Did mine the same way for years. Never had a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Personally I always used a touch of bleach in the washer with an extra rinse and let air dry. After I let them dry I would rinse them in RO water before using them, keeps the skimmer from going nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C0lin Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Chris from TPA said to let them dry after you wash them with bleach for a day or two. The bleaching stuff will go away after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Chris from TPA said to let them dry after you wash them with bleach for a day or two. The bleaching stuff will go away after that. Makes sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorge Posted December 20, 2014 Author Share Posted December 20, 2014 Thanks guys. Seems like bleach is the only way to truly get them clean. I glad there isn't some new found research that shows "bleaching" socks is terrible. Just seeing what everyone is doing nowadays. I feel like I'm always behind the curve lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 You can rinse any aquarium equipment that has been bleach-cleaned with a vinegar/water solution. I always rinse with tap water first, then add the 1/4 cup white (or apple cider) vinegar to a bucket of tap water and it will neutralize any residue of bleach. Rinse off the solution with tap water and it will be ready to use! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorge Posted December 20, 2014 Author Share Posted December 20, 2014 You think we can get the same cleaning results from washing in white vinegar? Just skip the bleach.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 They won't be as white, but they will be clean. I never really cared if my filter socks were white. If you look at my tank and notice my filter socks then filter socks are the least of my problems [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorge Posted December 20, 2014 Author Share Posted December 20, 2014 True. I just always assumed if they were white than they are clean. It's never been about them having to necessarily be white for me. As long as they're clean is what's important I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald525 Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I have never had problem with them having the bleach smell but there was much debate in the past that the bleach does anything other than just make them look white. I would think using a less bleach than more would be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorge Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Good to hear Kim. I'll keep using bleach but maybe a little less. Maybe I'll try just vinegar also and see how clean they get. I'm just looking for ways to improve the overall health of my tank. Now I'm changing out socks twice a week as opposed to just once like I was doing before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorge Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 You can rinse any aquarium equipment that has been bleach-cleaned with a vinegar/water solution. I always rinse with tap water first, then add the 1/4 cup white (or apple cider) vinegar to a bucket of tap water and it will neutralize any residue of bleach. Rinse off the solution with tap water and it will be ready to use! Are you not worried about the chlorine tap water will leave behind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higher Thinking Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Are you not worried about the chlorine tap water will leave behind?Chlorine will evaporate and not be a problem. Worst case you can just use a dechlorinator. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Are you not worried about the chlorine tap water will leave behind? Probably not enough to worry about, I put 1 capful of bleach into a 7 gal bucket of tap water. Throw a few socks in there over weeks then rinse them inside/outside with the hose. After I get all 10 or so hanging I run them thru the washer twice, no soap. clean as a whistle no smell nice and white, just once a month or two chore. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I might be missing something, why do you guys want to bleach them at all? I rinse em out with the hose, let um dry, and then use them. I have never put them in my washer or anything like that. I just turn them inside out and spray them with the hose, keep them outside until they dry. Doesn't even take a minute to spray them. Is there a benefit to bleaching them that I don't know about? Are you not worried about the chlorine tap water will leave behind? Not at all. When I use filter socks I use more then one in my rotation. So when by the time I switch them out the chlorine has completely evaporated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorge Posted December 22, 2014 Author Share Posted December 22, 2014 I used to not wash with bleach in the washer and noticed they would overflow from being clogged within a week. I think the bleach/vinegar breaks down the waste collected in the fibers. Less crap in the fibers maybe leads to lower nitrates. Now I change twice a week so perhaps it wouldn't make a difference. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninjabeaver Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 If washed with bleach, once its air dried completely any bleach left is gone, like chlorine 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cerk1985 Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 If you are still having a bleach smell after they air dry, trying putting a cap of dechlorinator like prime in your second cycle with just the water. It will deactivate the bleach left over. Thats what I do with mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombertech Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 The bleach is supposed to help break down organics. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 (edited) I might be missing something, why do you guys want to bleach them at all? I rinse em out with the hose, let um dry, and then use them. I have never put them in my washer or anything like that. I just turn them inside out and spray them with the hose, keep them outside until they dry. Doesn't even take a minute to spray them. Is there a benefit to bleaching them that I don't know about? Sodium hypochlorite(bleach) has been successfully used in laboratories and aquaculture as a disinfectant and for oxidation of organic matter for some time now. If you want aquariums and equipment sterile because of fungal or bacterial infections, or parastic infestations, this is the way to go. Make sure you do not soak too long, like overnight... the bleach can break down the fabric fibers if soaked for very long periods. A 10 minute soak or wash cycle(bleach only, no soap) is enough, then rinse. Air-drying is fine if you have the time. Again, if you are concerned about chlorine residue, a quick soak in a weak acid base(water/vinegar solution) or water with a good shot of sodium thiosulfate(De-Chlor) will neutralize any trace of chlorine. Edited December 23, 2014 by JManrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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