My washing is dirtier than when it went in??

I seem to be washing white socks most of my life......I use biological washing powder 1 cup and half a cup of white vinegar...On rinse I use another half cup of white vinegar...Use on all my whites and they sparkle....If they get grass or mud on them I put them in a bucket of water hand hot and half a cup of bread soda overnight...You can use the bread soda in washing machine if you don't have vinegar to hand.

I used to wash my husband's football team's kit - all of it! And the shorts and socks were mainly white - Oh the disappointment of not being able to get it lovely and clean. I, thankfully, don't do it anymore.
Sorry, I realise this isn't much help but I wish you luck!!

Jalima, I must admit I did have a giggle at that, but knew what you meant!

It only looks like the feet that are affected. Once he has his boots on will it matter?

That P*** is not what it looks like, it is meant to be a brand of washing powder

They're rugby socks - he'll be playing in another muddy match soon! Don't worry about them, unless they've shrunk

I used to find a bar of Fairy washing soap was good for rubbing the dirtiest parts before they went into the machine. Otherwise Vanish spray or solid stick?

When you have the whole team's kit to wash you don't worry about a pair of socks that don't come out looking as if someone's mother doesn't use P***

You could just dip the feet in a bleach mixture overnight - although some would inevitably leach into the first red band...

I don`t think they are salvageable Solitaire . As the Mum of 4 sons I am an expert on socks Maybe someone will prove me wrong but I cannot imagine how you will ever get them white again unless the red bands turn pink as a result x

You didn't wash them at too high a temperature by mistake?