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washing felt filter socks in washing machine

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by PotRoast, Dec 19, 2011.

Page 2 of 2
  1. Dec 19, 2011 #21
    Jamie

    Jamie Well-Known ReefKeeper Vendor

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    Yes, that is why I use hot water for the wash and the double rinse option on our washer, it takes just over 2 hours in the washer on this setting.  Never had any soap issues.  These things come out cleaner than when they were new.
     
  2. Dec 19, 2011 #22
    Sponge Marshalltown, IA

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    3,347
    Marshalltown, IA
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    +233 / 1 / -0
    I don't use bleach as it degrades the material. I have a frontload washing machine vs a topload... My regime is:

    Rinse socks just a bit inside out, throw in bucket until I have 10/12 socks to go in washer.
    Run washer on rinse cycle (all clean)!
    Throw in bucket of socks(they are inside out from initial rinse), set on "whitest white" but use cold water...this setting has 2 rinse cycles.
    Remove from washer, turn right side out and let air dry.....Repeat again when needed.

    With the 2 rinses, not only are the socks getting extra time but no need to rinse machine prior to doing "people" laundry :=0)
     
  3. Dec 20, 2011 #23
    slovan

    slovan Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Wow, this is quite the discussion on filter socks! For me, I stopped using filter socks years ago. But when I did, I rinsed by hand, soaked them in a bleach solution and hung them to dry.
     
  4. Dec 20, 2011 #24
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    8,884
    West Des Moines, IA
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    +1,821 / 14 / -0
    The residue on washing machines that you really need to worry about is the softener. This is the stuff that builds up and makes the machine smell, and you don't want the residue. Most manufacturers suggest that you run a full load on "permanent press" which is just code for "really hot water" to dissolve the residue every 10 or 20 washes. This is a problem for the HE washers because you can't tell it to do what you want necessarily. This is why we got a Fisher & Paykel top loader - the bomb of all washing machines IMO.

    Too much bleach will degrade the material. I am of the opinion that people use way, way more bleach than is necessary. I use about 1/4 cup (a good "glug") in about 2 or 3 gallons of hot water for 2 socks. Sometimes I spray them first, sometimes I just throw them in dirty to loosen the stuff up. In the latter case, I use 2 glugs. You don't need to soak for long to loosen the gunk to the point where it rinses off under high pressure.
     
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