Protect your feet Wearing sweaty or dirty socks increases the likelihood of developing issues like blisters, which can impair your ability to perform when you're working out or even just going about your day. Wear breathable socks that ensure that your feet get good air circulation when wearing shoes.
"You should absolutely wash clothes before you wear them, especially anything that is right next to the skin or that you will sweat on," says Hogue.
That is because each time you wear them, sweat from the more than 125,000 sweat glands you have on each foot (a higher concentration than anywhere else on the body) works its way into your socks. If it isn't washed out, bacteria and fungi can grow rapidly in the warm, moist environment.
It may seem obvious to some, but just how often should you change your socks? Every day. Yes, even if your feet aren't sweaty, you shouldn't really wear the same pair of socks two days in a row. The reason being, is your feet contain around 250,000 sweat glands and can excrete as much as half a pint of moisture a day.
How often should you wash your underwear, socks and bras? Underwear, socks and undershirts should be washed after every use, while bras can be worn 3-4 times before washing. Since underwear, socks and undershirts are in close contact with your skin and sweat, washing them after every use keeps them smelling fresh.
Foot infections
Bacteria like Staphylococcus and fungi like Trichophyton love the warm, moist condition of your dirty socks and thrive in that environment. Bacteria and fungi can cause infections ranging from mild itchy bumps to fungal infections, like athlete's foot, to bacterial infections, like cellulitis, he says.
Trench foot, or immersion foot syndrome, is a condition that can occur when your feet are cold and wet for a long period of time. It often happens when you have to wear wet socks and shoes or boots for days at a time. Prolonged exposure to damp, cold and sometimes unsanitary conditions can lead to the disease.
Socks should be changed regularly to avoid unpleasant smells and athlete's foot (a fungal infection). Fungus loves warm, damp and dark environments which makes your socks the ideal breeding place. My suggestion is to change your socks at least once a day.
Wearing socks to sleep comes with very few risks, other than discomfort for those that prefer the feeling of being barefoot. Be sure to wear socks that are loose, and do not wear compression socks to bed unless directed by a doctor or other medical professional.
Not wearing socks can lead to smelly feet
When your feet sweat, bacteria build-up. While foot sweat is odorless on its own, without socks, the sweat can't be wicked away from your skin, creating an abundance of germs on your feet. Not only is this highly unhygienic, but it can also quickly lead to foul odors.
Without human intervention, the mold and bacteria will build up to a point where you can smell those dirty socks! You could have dirty sock syndrome if you start noticing that your home smells like your son's hockey locker room and dirty gym socks when your AC kicks on.
Wearing Clean Socks
While laundry can seem like a hassle sometimes and make you want to re-wear your socks, it's important to change them regularly and make sure you put on a fresh, clean pair every day. If you don't, sweat and moisture can build up and create the perfect breeding ground for fungus to grow.
If you've ever left sweaty socks or other clothes in the laundry for too long, you've probably been surprised at just how quickly they take on a strong scent of mildew. Given that moisture and bacteria are already in place for the mold spores to begin to grow, it's no surprise that your socks end up this way.
So how often should you wash your wool socks? That depends on how long you wear them per use, the activity, climate, and your own comfort level with re-wearing clothing. I've found washing them after 2-3 full days of wear to be a good balance.
Weekly: sheets, pillowcases and bath mats. Monthly: mattress pads, bathrobes and pillow liners. Every three months: outerwear and jackets, shower curtains, throw blankets, throw rugs and vests. Once or twice a year: blankets, comforters, heavy coats, bed pillows and pillow shams.
Wearing socks while sleeping can increase the risk of poor hygiene. If your socks are too light, not clean or made of unbreathable fabric, it increases your chances of infection and odours. Choose socks that are made of cotton or bamboo and ensure you wear a fresh pair before going to bed.
Sleeping with socks on may not be for you if you have circulatory issues, swelling of the feet, or other issues that could potentially increase the likelihood of socks restricting blood flow to your legs and feet. As always, make sure to talk to your doctor about if sleeping with socks on is right for you.
Wearing sweaty or dirty socks increases the likelihood of developing issues like blisters, which can impair your ability to perform when you're working out or even just going about your day. Wear breathable socks that ensure that your feet get good air circulation when wearing shoes.
When to wash. Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.
To keep both your socks and your wardrobe feeling and looking as fresh as possible, we recommend buying new socks every 3-6 months, which will be well before your current socks completely kick the bucket. Or to keep your collection consistent, just pick out a new pair for every sock you throw out.
The main goal of the wet sock treatment is to increase blood circulation while decreasing congestion in the upper respiratory passages, head, and throat. This creates a relaxing effect that, according to many, helps them sleep much better.
Trench foot, also known as immersion foot, occurs when the feet are wet for long periods of time. It can be quite painful, but it can be prevented and treated.
Wearing socks all of the time is generally regarded as perfectly healthy if done properly. There are myths that wearing socks 24/7 can lead to fungal growth and result in foul smelling feet. If changed regularly, there should be no health problems associated with wearing fresh socks all day and night.
Generally 6-12 pairs of socks are used in a regular weekly cycle, plus 2 -7 pairs of socks that are used for special occasions. Thus, 8-16 pairs of socks is the most ideal number of socks one must own.