Best way to remove chain grease from white socks?
 

I'm pretty new to cycling and I've only been using short black socks up to this point. Well, I finally got a pair of white Giro socks without considering that grease is going to get on them. For those of you who ride with white (or other non-black/dark) socks, what recommendations do you have for removing grease stains? Thx!

Squirt a little Dawn dishwashing soap on the stain and rub it in, and then presoak with Shout for good measure.

Cross your fingers.

spray n wash

1. Throw socks in garbage.

2. Buy new socks. This time move back to black or don'[t worry about the stains. No one is looking a your feet.


I have seen my share of first world problems. This one takes the cake. ;)

Goop hand cleaner. Rub in, toss in the wash, and hope for the best.

Spray with ether, then GoJo hand cleaner, rub it in then rinse. If you have already washed and dryed them the stain is set, more than likely. Good luck. I use ether on grease stains on vehicle interiors with great results.

No white socks. Doesn't look good.

Blue, black, red, yellow, etc., all look good.

How about fiesta?

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...218b60bf24.jpg



-Tim-

What is the best chain lube to use to prevent staining of white socks :innocent:

Just leave them stained, they can't look any worse.

Depends on the fabric. I’m no fabric expert, but if there’s any cotton (even a low percentage blend) it will be tough to get grease out. I’ve had good luck with both Dawn dishwashing detergent and Simple Green on cotton t-shirts, but neither were white and a slight darkening remained. Not all that helpful, but I avoid white.


-Kedosto

Straight Dawn dish washing liquid directly on stain as has been suggested. Wash in cold water and do not dry. If stain is not gone then spray with orange degreaser or purple power and re-wash. Still there? It's gonna be there forever. Ride with dark colored socks.

Beausage, wear them with Honor!!!

Tide Ultra Stain Release liquid. It's hard to beat the better clothes detergents like Tide and Gain with enzymes in addition to the usual surfactants. The trick is patience: pretreat, then a long soak in detergent, 20 minutes to an hour. Tepid water is good. If you have a washing machine with soak options for delicate clothing, try that.

I handwash most of my cycling apparel this way, usually in a 5 gallon mop bucket in the tub. Quicker than a trip to the laundromat. I hang 'em over the tub to dry with a recirculating fan. They're dry by morning.

Is it taboo to suggest bleach?

Dye them black.

They just became a rag to wipe off other oil/grease, don't ask me how I know but my wife can tell you :D

I'd just bin them and buy a new pair of socks. The effort to make them look clean and white again may not be worth it.

You may have too much lube on your chain if it's getting onto your socks.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3ed3ea3f36.jpg
This saved my favorite Grateful Dead jersey from grease. Worked a miracle for me. Just bought the spot remover on a whim at Wallyworld and really good stuff.

Or get a black fabric marker and go to town on the socks to make the black streaks look like there's an intentional kandinsky pattern.
something like this..

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6d7e2d04e1.jpg

Don't wear white socks, wear black socks.

Does not answer the original question but my thoughts exactly.
If the OP is really concerned, search Google. You'll get results from far more than just bikers. A simple search and reading the first few hits suggests polyester stained with grease and oil, grease "fighting" dish soap seems to be the most suggested.

This is an "I'm bored and it's winter and can't ride now" type of question". Not a late spring no reason not to out riding one. Go out and get some grease on them and then see if it really matters :)

A GD jersey is worth saving. White socks are not.

Not if their white GD socks.

Yes, this works very well.

Another vote for "never buy white socks". If you're not able to get the stains off, I personally am too cheap to throw away something because of stains. I'd just wear them until they broke out in big holes.


When I got my first serious road bike, it came with white handlebar tape and the sales guy thought that was very much in style. Then, got white cycling shoes ... I will never do that again. Black or some other color dark enough to hide the problem in socks, shoes, handlebar tape, etc etc