Status: 13.10.2023, 20:30 PM
By: Franziska Kaindl
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How do you always wash your socks? Depending on the degree of soiling, the washing temperature may need to be tweaked a bit.
Every day you wear the socks on your feet for hours – at work, in sports or while strolling in the city. In the evening, you're happy when you can take off your sweaty things and throw them in the laundry basket. But what is the best way to wash the garment so that they are really clean again?
How to get socks really clean when washed
The German Association of Personal Care and Detergents (IKW) recommends washing normal and lightly soiled socks that have been stored dry in the washing machine at 30 degrees Celsius – preferably sorted by colour. If you wash on a gentle cycle with mild or wool detergent, you are on the safe side.
If socks are only slightly dirty, a washing temperature of 30 degrees is sufficient. © Tanya Yatsenko/Imago
If it is a robust material, it may also be washed with a full or universal detergent as granules, powders, pearls or tablets. But first of all, check what the manufacturer says on the label or packaging – there you will find out, for example, whether bleach in the detergent damages the textiles.
You can find everything you need to know about household and gardening tips in the living newsletter of our partner Merkur.de.
How to wash heavily soiled socks?
If you have been exercising in your socks all day, you may notice a somewhat unpleasant smell on your feet in the evening. In this case, according to IKW, socks can also be washed at 40 degrees Celsius – as well as if they are heavily soiled or if they have been stored in a damp place. For dark socks that still smell even after the first wash, you should also use a pre-wash cycle and an additional rinse cycle, according to the association.
Washing socks: What to do if you have athlete's foot or nail fungus?
To protect family members or your partner from a fungal infection, you should wash your socks at 60 degrees and with a hygienic detergent. Only then will germs and bacteria die. If you're worried about ruining your functional socks or stockings, you can only wear cotton socks as a precaution until the athlete's foot or nail fungus has passed.