Laundry is a pain to keep pristine and newish looking, especially when it comes to white socks.

White socks are notorious for showcasing every smudge and stain and as such, they become discoloured, dingy, and dull quite quickly.

Yet, Henry Lee, a laundry whizz over at Monfoot Socks, has spilt the beans on the kitchen staple that could just be your laundry's knight in shining armour.

Henry noted: “Lemon juice, with its natural bleaching properties, can work wonders in whitening your socks when used in boiling.

“It’s a simple, natural, and cost-effective method that you'll find surprisingly effective.” Lemon juice might not be your go-to laundry aid, but its acidic edge is king for tackling dirt that's made your socks take on an unsightly yellow or grey hue.

Where many fall into the bleach trap, attempting to restore their laundry's former glory, it can be unforgiving on fabrics, often leaving behind a yellow cast rather than a brilliant white.

The gentle, yet potent nature of citric acid, a gem found in zesty oranges, limes, and lemons, targets grime directly but cares for the fabric, enhancing its brightness as it vanquishes stains.

To kick off, dunk your dingy white socks into a sink or container filled halfway with tepid water to start breaking down any stubborn dirt or muck, getting them ready for a zesty spruce-up.

Then switch on the kettle, squeeze in a hefty amount of lemon juice, and get that water bubbling away.

Add the boiling citrus mix into the container, letting the socks steep in the tangy brew for a good two hours minimum, but feel free to let them linger longer.

Henry explained: “The heat combined with lemon juice works to lift the stains and restore the brightness of your socks.”

Post-soak, take the socks from their lemony bath and chuck them into the washing machine for a standard spin cycle. You might even notice they’re beaming brighter before they hit the wash.

Put them out to dry outside on a sunny or bright day, as the gleaming rays boost the lemon’s magic in what's known as photobleaching.

Wherever socks bathe in lemon and then bask in the sunlight, the UV beams beckon the citric acid into action, obliterating grime in the cloth.

Henry remarked: “The sun's natural bleaching effect will help enhance the whiteness of your socks.”

Once dried, expect your socks to stage a comeback as pure as the driven snow. Henry concluded: “You'll be amazed at the transformation: your socks radiate a whiteness rivalling snowy day.”