Even if they spend their time hidden in your shoes, your socks can become real microbes nests. And if you thought that a quick wash at 30 ° C was enough, a British microbiologist affirms the opposite. His research shows that our washing habits could promote the proliferation of fungi, viruses and bacteria … directly on our feet. Dr. Primrose Freestone, microbiologist at the University of Leicester, alerts the dangers of poor textile hygiene.
Why your socks are dirty than you imagine
At first glance, a pair of socks is not worrying. However, after only 12 hours of use, they become invisible sponges to bacteria, mushrooms, fungal spores, dust, animal hair and ground dirt. A study cited by Dr Freestone shows that they presented the highest rate of microbes among all the clothes analyzed.
Once threaded, they benefit from the perfect environment that are our feet: dark, warm and humid. Result, “The feet can be the host of up to 1,000 different bacterial and fungal species, some of which can eat the sweat that your feet produce, and their smelly waste metabolites are the cause of the feet, socks and smelly shoes“.
Worse, some of these microorganisms are not so harmless. Among the pathogens identified: Staphylococcus, responsible for skin infections, abscesses, or even blood poisonings or toxic shock syndrome; The Aspergillus fungus, which can cause a serious respiratory disease; Or the human papillom virus (HPV), at the origin of the plantar warts.
Washing at 60 ° C is not always enough: why you should also iron your socks
Changing socks every day is not enough to protect yourself. Dr Freestone insists: “VIt can transmit infections from dirty socks, such as plantar warts, which are caused by certain human papillomavirus and are very contagious, so do not wash the socks and then walk on the floors could infect other people“.
Same thing for the athlete’s foot, a current toe yeast infection, which according to the specialist, “Also live in socks and can spread via unwashed socks“.
So how do you really disinfect them? Dr. Freestone recommends a radical method but accessible to all: “The enzymes detach bacteria from the weaving of the sock fibers, and the high temperature kills bacteria and fungi that are adapted to the temperature of the human foot“.
Clearly, it is necessary to wash the socks with an enzymatic detergent at least 60 ° C. And if your machine does not go up as high, take out your iron. “”This helps the heat of the iron to penetrate deep into the sock, which will kill any bacteria, wart or mushroom of the athlete’s foot“.
The microbiologist method to keep healthy feet (and socks)
Washes at 30 or 40 ° C are insufficient. Even with a good detergent, some bacteria remain well hung. “”Wash the socks with a detergent helps clean them, but my laboratory searches show that certain residual bacteria remain in the socks if the washing is not very hot“, He explains. Hence the need to complete with a steam ironing.
In summary, the routine of Dr Freestone is simple and drastic: “My own socks were washed hot with an antibacterial detergent and hot ironing, and are therefore sparkling cleanliness – just like my feet!“”