Cleaning Filter Socks

[FifeReef]

Just curious on how folks go about cleaning filter socks in your sumps. Just rinse? Use some kind of disinfectant? Soak? I've been just rinsing them out the best I can, but they still look pretty dirty......and I'm assuming are.

 

[mr_X]

i run mine through the washing machine without soap, inside out. it seems to work ok, but they never looked like new again.

 

[pcardone]

I have two sets. I soak them in bleach, then run them in the wash machine. i let them sit so the chlorine will dissipate.

 

[Anonymous]

We run them through the washer with no soap and air dry. Works well.

 

[Anonymous]

Washing machine, add some bleach, short cycle and air dry.

Eventually the very small micron size ones seem to get irredeemably clogged to the point of uselessness in my experience. Even with a judicious scrubbing.

 

[Anonymous]

I have 3 and I run them through the washer. But, I always run the next load with my husbands clothes...

 

[FifeReef]

Thanks for your responses guys. Sounds like the washing machine is a good way to go, but SeahorseWhisperer_.......I'm not telling my wife about the follow up load. 8O

 

[FifeReef]

Just as a follow up. I tried the washing machine method with no soap. We have one of the new front-loading HE (High Efficiency) machines. Worked real well! I have two of them mounted in my sump so I've purchased 14 socks. I change each every day now and do a load of filter socks every weekend. Thanks for the suggestions all!

 

[bruhnska]

any other semi vigorus cleaning methods for someone who has to pay to use the washer? I'm a college student in an apartment and can't hack up $1.25 just to put my socks in with out doing a real load. I have scrubbed it under running water and it gets pretty clean....but any other method?

 

[Anonymous]

I will continue posting this until the entire internet knows...

Polyweld filter bags are available through aquaticeco.com. They are much closer in construction to a thick window screen than to the wool-like density of filter socks. They will last essentially forever, and are infinitely easier to clean as there isn't a deep matrix for particles to get embedded in. I use a hose nozzle and it takes about 10 seconds. I use the 100 micron size. I have the same two I started with over a year ago.

The only downside is that they are only available in one relatively small size. I run about 1000 gph through it but I need to rinse it daily or else it overflows.