used filter sock storage

jacob.morgan78 · 11/02/2011, 12:50 PM

GROSS

I did some research on this and found that a lot of people used multiple filter socks before washing them by whatever method together. My washing method works fine but the way to store them needs to change... now!

I found that the way that most members do this is to store them in a bucket outside in water until it is time to wash them all together. Well, I did this. The stink was terrible! There's got to be a better way... maybe put a little bleach in the water that they're stored in? Also, when is the best time to turn them inside out before washing. I waited until right before washing them and it was gross.

Do I just need to suck it up and deal with it or is there a better way?

Thanks!

Southreef · 11/02/2011, 12:59 PM

I know you said your method was fine but for me, storing them is not really an option because of all "the grossness" involved

I wash my socks in the washing machine on small load size, hot water and with a little bleach. I wash three at a time and would understand if my system only had one sock to wash... Plus it gives them 3 or 4 days to air dry and get rid of the chlorine from the bleach.

jacob.morgan78 · 11/02/2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Southreef

I know you said your method was fine but for me, storing them is not really an option because of all "the grossness" involved

I wash my socks in the washing machine on small load size, hot water and with a little bleach. I wash three at a time and would understand if my system only had one sock to wash... Plus it gives them 3 or 4 days to air dry and get rid of the chlorine from the bleach.

My method for washing is fine but for storing is not!

So you wash three at a time? How do you store them while you're waiting to accumulate three dirty ones?

doctorgori · 11/02/2011, 03:06 PM

curious and following....
as it is
I don't see how you can store used/dirty filter socks anywhere/anyhow without funk taking over....I've found you gotta rinse them out and store them in light bleach until you get enuff to make cleaning worthwhile ....

64Ivy · 11/02/2011, 03:43 PM

Not sure why you'd even want to store a dirty sock...even one dirty sock. I clean multiples at a time because I use multiples at a time but I always clean 'em as soon as I switch 'em. Makes life a little easier.

lordjnx · 11/02/2011, 03:52 PM

i only use one at a time currently. usually i spend 10mins rinsing the sock inside and out with a water hose and then dry it ... seems to lighten the "funk" till i can get enough fish room towels to wash it with.

jacob.morgan78 · 11/02/2011, 06:03 PM

Wow... I remember searching for cleaning filter socks and I swear many people store them to accumulate enough to wash! I'm still going to save them I guess because I can't see wasting the water to wash one at a time...

I'm going to try putting a small media bag of carbon in the bucket this time with them and see if that helps... We'll see...

In the mean time, if anyone sees this that knows what I'm talking about (with people storing dirty filter socks) please back me up and/or chime in and share how you go about cleaning them... More specifically, what you do with them while waiting to clean them :-)

lecher · 11/02/2011, 06:13 PM

I take the used socks outside and hose them out, then put in a bucket with water until I'm ready to wash them in the washing machine. It only takes a couple of minutes. The smell is not really that bad, smells like mildew more than anything else.

Whisperer · 11/02/2011, 06:31 PM

I spray wash using the jet setting until the brown crud is gone, dry and store. When I'm up to my last sock, I load all of them in the wash at the same time. I use washing soda only, no bleach.

Southreef · 11/02/2011, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacob.morgan78

So you wash three at a time? How do you store them while you're waiting to accumulate three dirty ones?

My refugium is set up with three socks. I was trying to say what the others have said already. I feel that the extra waste to wash socks by themselves might be worth it as the fish poop is something that I personally don't want to keep around.

Best of luck finding a good way to store your socks!

11/02/2011, 12:50 PM	#1
jacob.morgan78 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Farmville, VA Posts: 1,184	used filter sock storage GROSS I did some research on this and found that a lot of people used multiple filter socks before washing them by whatever method together. My washing method works fine but the way to store them needs to change... now! I found that the way that most members do this is to store them in a bucket outside in water until it is time to wash them all together. Well, I did this. The stink was terrible! There's got to be a better way... maybe put a little bleach in the water that they're stored in? Also, when is the best time to turn them inside out before washing. I waited until right before washing them and it was gross. Do I just need to suck it up and deal with it or is there a better way? Thanks!

11/02/2011, 03:43 PM	#5
64Ivy B'rer Reefer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Greenwich, CT Posts: 3,194	Not sure why you'd even want to store a dirty sock...even one dirty sock. I clean multiples at a time because I use multiples at a time but I always clean 'em as soon as I switch 'em. Makes life a little easier. __________________ Be Kind To The Elderly. Life Without Parole Means Nothing To Us. ToTM 3-03 Current Tank Info: Between tanks. Searching for a home

11/02/2011, 06:31 PM	#9
Whisperer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Punta Gorda, FL Posts: 4,020	I spray wash using the jet setting until the brown crud is gone, dry and store. When I'm up to my last sock, I load all of them in the wash at the same time. I use washing soda only, no bleach. __________________ The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten. --------- No one is born with intellect and age guarantees wisdom to no one. Current Tank Info: 120G reef, 30G sump, 10G QT tank

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11/02/2011, 12:59 PM	#2
Southreef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 188	I know you said your method was fine but for me, storing them is not really an option because of all "the grossness" involved I wash my socks in the washing machine on small load size, hot water and with a little bleach. I wash three at a time and would understand if my system only had one sock to wash... Plus it gives them 3 or 4 days to air dry and get rid of the chlorine from the bleach.

11/02/2011, 03:06 PM	#4
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,097	curious and following.... as it is I don't see how you can store used/dirty filter socks anywhere/anyhow without funk taking over....I've found you gotta rinse them out and store them in light bleach until you get enuff to make cleaning worthwhile ....

11/02/2011, 03:52 PM	#6
lordjnx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 46	i only use one at a time currently. usually i spend 10mins rinsing the sock inside and out with a water hose and then dry it ... seems to lighten the "funk" till i can get enough fish room towels to wash it with.

11/02/2011, 06:03 PM	#7
jacob.morgan78 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Farmville, VA Posts: 1,184	Wow... I remember searching for cleaning filter socks and I swear many people store them to accumulate enough to wash! I'm still going to save them I guess because I can't see wasting the water to wash one at a time... I'm going to try putting a small media bag of carbon in the bucket this time with them and see if that helps... We'll see... In the mean time, if anyone sees this that knows what I'm talking about (with people storing dirty filter socks) please back me up and/or chime in and share how you go about cleaning them... More specifically, what you do with them while waiting to clean them :-)

11/02/2011, 06:13 PM	#8
lecher Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 676	I take the used socks outside and hose them out, then put in a bucket with water until I'm ready to wash them in the washing machine. It only takes a couple of minutes. The smell is not really that bad, smells like mildew more than anything else.