Can we wear the same pair of socks the next day? / Science answers

2026-01-04 14:57:00, Lifestyle CNA

Wearing the same pair of jeans or a sweater a second time, without washing them, is considered perfectly normal. Even a short-sleeved T-shirt can be worn for more than one day. What about socks? This is where things change. If you knew what really happens inside your socks after just one day of use, you might look at them with a different "eye."

Our feet are home to a small “tropical forest” of bacteria and fungi, with up to 1,000 different species. The foot is home to a particularly wide variety of fungi compared to other parts of the body and also has a high number of sweat glands.

Most bacteria and fungi prefer to live in the warm, moist spaces between your toes, where they feed on sweat and dead skin cells. The byproducts of this process are responsible for the unpleasant odors that develop on your feet, socks, and shoes.

The more your feet sweat, the more "food" the bacteria have and the stronger the odor becomes.

Socks trap sweat and become an ideal environment for the growth of microorganisms. And here comes the lesser-known, but more worrying fact: Bacteria can survive on fabric for months. On cotton, for example, up to 90 days.

Studies show that socks worn just once contain millions of bacteria, far more than other items of clothing, such as T-shirts. These include both harmless skin microorganisms and potentially pathogenic fungi, such as Candida and Aspergillus.

And it doesn't end there. Whatever "lives" in your socks can easily be transferred to your shoes, the floor, the couch, or even the bed. That's why infections can spread easily, especially if socks are reused or if you walk barefoot in public spaces.

What can you do?

Proper foot hygiene plays an important role:

Avoid socks and shoes that cause excessive sweating.

Wash your feet regularly.

Let the shoes "rest" so they dry completely.

There are also antimicrobial socks, with fibers like silver or zinc, that limit the growth of bacteria, as well as bamboo socks that allow for better ventilation. These may last a little longer.

For most classic socks (cotton, wool or synthetic), the recommendation is clear: wear them once and then wash them.

As for washing, low temperatures are only sufficient for light daily use. For effective disinfection, washing at 60°C or using an enzymatic detergent is required. And if all else fails, a steam iron works wonders./Ygeia Mou