Stained socks are a nightmare to return to their former glory, often remaining grey or brown even after several washes. If you're grappling with socks that are looking far from white and bleach has lost its appeal, trying soda crystals might just do the trick.

That's according to cleaning fans who swear by this natural method to budge tough stains. Katherine Cerpa turned to the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook group, desperate for a solution after her white socks emerged from the wash stubbornly brown-stained, despite an OxiClean soak. She asked fellow cleaners: "These socks just came out of the washer. They were washed with warm water and soaked with OxiClean. Please give me some recommendations to remove these brown stains and make them look whiter."

Her plea didn't fall on deaf ears as it triggered over 160 comments, with a consensus forming around the brilliant benefits of soda crystals.

Jane Ireland suggested: "Soda crystals are really good and you can get them from most supermarkets and on Amazon.

"Depending on how stained they are, add half a cup to one cup of soda crystals to the washing machine and put it on a 60-degree wash."

Natasha Smith, juggling the laundry needs of five boys and a girl, confidently recommended soda crystals for their socks, declaring: "I'm a mum of five boys and one girl and I always use soda crystals on their white socks. It's game-changing."

Furthermore, Michelle Walker chimed in, endorsing soda crystals as exceptional, noting: "Soda crystals. It's amazing stuff. It gets my blokes socks looking new again. I just add the soda crystals straight in the washing machine drum."

Susan Wilson advised: "Get yourself some soda crystals. It's the best thing I've ever used to get my boy's grubby white socks up."

Alisha Dobbs recommended: "Soak in soda crystals and then wash as normal. The brown stains will be gone and the socks will come out like new."

Debbie Powell imparted her wisdom, stating: "I have two boys and used to have the same problem. Now I just add a scoop of soda crystals to every white wash and they are now lovely and white."

Soda crystals have been hailed for their versatility, from clearing blocked drains to enhancing laundry and tackling tough stains.

For removing organic stains, simply adding a touch of this eco-friendly cleaner with your usual washing solution is sufficient.

More persistent stains might need pre-soaking – letting the socks sit in a warm water and soda crystal solution for an hour before the regular wash can work wonders.

Adding soda crystals to your regular laundry routine is a breeze; just mix the required amount with your standard detergent, either directly in the drum or in the detergent drawer.

To avoid any reaction between soda crystals and liquid detergents causing clumps, it's advisable to place one in the drum and the other in the drawer.