How to Wash Odor-Control Socks? Can Socks Be Washed With Other Clothes? How to Clean and Care for Socks
When it comes to laundry, everyone does it differently. Now that you've bought a good pair of odor-control socks, how should you wash them? Can they go in with regular clothes? And how should you care for them? Today we answer all of this for you!
Wash regular clothes, underwear, and socks separately
Families, couples, and roommates often argue over different laundry habits, or find that washing everything together leaves skin or private areas feeling itchy or causes skin-related problems. The fix is actually simple! Just wash socks, underwear, and regular clothes separately.
Why should socks always be washed separately? Socks are worn on our feet for 8 hours and are covered not only with sweat but also with lots of bacteria. Sweat can't evaporate inside shoes, and skin oils and dead skin from our feet can cling to the socks. If socks aren't washed separately, bacteria may spread to other clothes and cause skin problems, and if they aren't washed the right way, the lifespan of the socks is reduced, which affects their sweat absorption and odor-control functions.
They can also be washed together, but underwear and socks need to be disinfected and cleaned first
Although we said above that socks are best washed separately, there is no absolute answer on whether to wash them together or apart. Other factors to consider include: Are you healthy? Do you have any underlying skin or private-area conditions? And some people have athlete's foot. Below are a few key points to keep in mind if you wash socks together with other items.
When washing socks with regular clothes, keep these points in mind: disinfect and sanitize well
For generally healthy people, underwear and socks can actually be washed together, because when your body is healthy it can fend off bacteria well and no related illness develops. But if you are still worried and want to wash them together, disinfect the socks first!
For example, in many Western countries people put all their clothes in the wash together, even shoes, yet skin problems are rarely seen. Why is that? Because detergents in Western countries often have germ-killing properties, so bacteria are already killed during washing.
The Right Way to Wash Socks
Both methods above can clean our socks well, but for proper cleaning and care, we still recommend washing socks separately on their own. Without proper washing, the bacteria-reducing and odor-eliminating properties of the socks gradually fade, and they no longer control odor. Here are a few tips for washing socks the right way!
Wash them inside out
Washing socks inside out is the most basic step! Why? Because the inside of the sock is the side that mainly absorbs sweat, and the inside also holds a lot of skin oil and dead skin from our feet. Turning the inside out is the only way to clean the socks effectively, so washing socks inside out is very important!
Wear them today, wash them today
Many people think washing socks every day is a hassle and let them pile up for a few days before washing, but this is not right! Socks soak up a whole day's sweat, and if they aren't washed the same day, bacteria will gradually multiply, nourished by the sweat.
Use warm water and a neutral detergent
You can also soak them in warm water with a neutral detergent. According to Japanese researchers, warm water between 30°C and 40°C lets detergent work at its best and gives strong germ-killing power against skin oils on fabric! If you don't feel like hand washing, you can also put the socks in a laundry bag on their own and machine wash them, which keeps strong water currents from damaging the sock fibers and extends their life.
How to Dry Socks
When hanging socks to dry, clip them at the elastic cuff, not the toes. Socks that aren't fully dry are still full of water, and clipping the toes lets water run down to the cuff, which can make the cuff loosen easily.
It turns out there are even more ways to wash socks than we usually think. Following the methods above not only helps reduce skin problems but also extends the life of your socks. No more worrying about smelly feet!
Click to buy →[Mang Mang] Walker Kids' Functional Odor-Control Socks
Further reading → My Child's Feet Smell Terrible!! Why Do Kids' Feet Smell, and How Can I Fix It?