Microbiologist Warns Against Rewearing Socks Due To Bacterial Growth

Microbiologist Primrose Freestone from the University of Leicester advises changing socks daily due to massive bacterial contamination. Human feet harbor up to 1,000 different bacterial and fungal species that thrive in warm, moist conditions between toes. Research shows socks contain 8-9 million bacteria per sample after just one wear, compared to 83,000 in t-shirts. Bacteria like Staphylococcal hominis create rotten onion odors, while Staphylococcus epidermis produces cheese-like smells. These microbes can survive on cotton for up to 90 days and include potential pathogens such as Aspergillus, Candida and Cryptococcus. Dirty socks can spread athlete’s foot fungus to surfaces and other people. For proper sanitization, Freestone recommends washing socks in hot water with enzyme-containing detergent or using hot steam irons reaching 180-220°C to kill remaining bacteria and fungal spores. (Story URL)