Tried-and-tested home remedies like ox gall soap, baking soda, or a splash of vinegar are among the absolute secret weapons of the grandmother generation when it comes to sparkling white socks.

Baking soda and baking powder: Apply a paste of baking soda and a little water directly to stubborn graying or stains on the soles, let it sit briefly, and then add it to the wash.

Vinegar water: Soak the socks in warm water with a splash of vinegar for one to two hours before washing; this dissolves sweat residue and neutralizes limescale in the water.

Eox soap: Dampen the classic bar, rub it thoroughly into the affected areas, let it sit briefly, and then wash normally at at least 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Sun as a natural bleach: If you hang the damp, freshly washed socks in direct sunlight afterward, the UV light acts like a gentle bleaching agent.