Quote Originally Posted by JohnT
There are always algae spores in the pool, in the air, on the deck etc.. Chorination just keeps them from growing. The sock is in constant contact with the pool water, so algae won't grow if the pool is properly sanitized. If algae can grow on the sock, it can grow anywhere in the pool.
Which it does. Nearly everyone has had to manage a spot ot two of algae somewhere in the pool at one time or another. I've been following the thread of brown silt/algae which seems to appear this time of year in some pools and I'm left with the perception that even the most stable pools can and do suffer an algae infection occasionally.

At just slightly over $1 per sock I can't afford to use a new one twice a day which is how often I change skimmer socks. It's more reasonable for me to disinfect them and try to eliminate one source of infection, anyway.