Cleaning filter socks

[gregzz4]

Update ...
I haven't been happy with the residual smell of chlorine, so I've stopped using bleach and my socks come out clean enough

Turn inside out, rinse very well under hi pressure in laundry tub, into washer on gentle and warm water for 2 cycles
Turn right side out and wash 2 more times
Stand up on ring to dry

I could probably get away with 1/2 the wash cycles, but our water is not yet metered

[Madreefer]

I've used bleach from the first time i've washed my filter socks. But I do 2 rinse cycles afterwards. The smell goes away once they dry.

[gregzz4]

How much bleach do you use ?
I was using about 1 cup of bleach
Even after 3 more wash cycles, I could still smell something once they dried

[bkelly]

I use 1 cap full if that cleans three at once for me, Ive been soaking in a pail to wait till I got 3 to wash so Im trying to decide if its better to soak just in water - smells bad or put some bleach in there too, but makes them really smell of bleach.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by bkelly

Im trying to decide if its better to soak just in water

Someone here (Bblinks maybe) recently mentioned destroying socks by leaving them soak in bleach for too long
Maybe just soak them in bleach overnight when they're all ready for the wash, or don't soak at all. Try experimenting

Originally Posted by Madreefer

Just over a cup for 6 of the felt socks.

Hmm ... dunno why I was still smelling it after a week of drying

[Reef_Geek]

for removal of chlorines (not chloramines), use SODIUM THIOSULFATE

I don't know why aquarium hobbyists haven't caught on to its use, but it is very common practice in aquaculture. It's commonly available from pool supply places... it's what pool maintenance uses to reduce chlorine in swimming pools.

Dissolve sodium thiosulfate (a table spoon or so) in a 5 gallon bucket of freshwater, and soak overnight whatever you're trying to neutralize in residual chlorine.

When I was managing marine ornamental aquaculture and needed to sterilize something (tank, habitat etc)... I'd use pool supply chlorine for a soak overnight, then another soak with lots of sodium thiosulfate.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Reef_Geek

for removal of chlorines (not chloramines), use SODIUM THIOSULFATE

I don't know why aquarium hobbyists haven't caught on to its use, but it is very common practice in aquaculture. It's commonly available from pool supply places... it's what pool maintenance uses to reduce chlorine in swimming pools.

Dissolve sodium thiosulfate (a table spoon or so) in a 5 gallon bucket of freshwater, and soak overnight whatever you're trying to neutralize in residual chlorine.

When I was managing marine ornamental aquaculture and needed to sterilize something (tank, habitat etc)... I'd use pool supply chlorine for a soak overnight, then another soak with lots of sodium thiosulfate.

I went to my local Spa shop, and they didn't have any sodium thiosulphate. However, they did have a product called Aqua Neutralizer which removes chlorine and bromine from water. It contains sodium sulphite.

Is the same type of product and safe to use to remove bleach from filter socks?

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

How much bleach do you use ?
I was using about 1 cup of bleach
Even after 3 more wash cycles, I could still smell something once they dried

Just over a cup for 6 of the felt socks.