I believe many people wash underwear and socks together, thinking that these are underwear and there is nothing wrong with washing them together. However, health experts suggest that it is best not to wash underwear and socks together. As close-fitting clothing, underwear and socks will directly contact our skin. Therefore, it is necessary to keep underwear and socks hygienic. So, why can’t underwear and socks be washed together? The following is the reason analyzed by experts, let’s take a look.

Underwear and socks

Can underwear and socks be washed together

Can they be washed together?

Socks: Research shows that worn Socks mainly contain sweat (moisture, salt, lactic acid and urea), Staphylococcus aureus, fungi, old keratin, etc. People with foot odor may also have fungi such as white ringworm and some odor metabolites.

Underwear: There may be urine residue on the underwear, and there may also be unwiped poop, secretions and girls' aunt. Some microbiologists have also conducted extensive research on underwear and found that a pair of dirty underwear contains an average of 0.1 grams of feces. The feces contain bacteria and viruses such as hepatitis A virus, rotavirus, salmonella and E. coli.

It seems that there will be a lot of fungi attached to the socks and underwear you wear. Even if you use detergent to clean them, you can only remove 80% of the bacteria. The bacteria that slip through the net may still cause cross-infection. If underwear and socks are washed together, it is very easy for the fungus on the feet to be infected through the underwear to the fragile genitals. Both men and women should pay attention to this, and people with athlete's foot and women are more susceptible to infection. This fungal infection usually manifests as itching of the private parts, sometimes accompanied by blisters and other symptoms. In severe cases, it can lead to cervical diseases in women. Therefore, in order to avoid cross-infection, it is recommended that underwear be washed separately and try not to wash it together with socks.

What is the best and healthiest way to wash them?

Different socks require different washing methods

1. Ordinary cotton socks. Wash and change frequently. Once you change it, soak it in clean water for about 2 hours, then apply soap and rub it with hot water to make the dirt fall off easily.

2. Pure stockings. When washing artificial stockings, nylon socks, etc., put them in soapy water or synthetic detergent below 40°C and rub them gently. Do not rub them hard. After washing, socks should be dried in the shade and should not be exposed to the sun or fire.

3. Wool socks. You should first cut the neutral soap with low alkali content into soap flakes and dissolve it in hot water. After the water cools down, put the socks in, soak them for a while, and then wash them gently with your hands. For the toes and heels of socks with more dirt, you can rub some more soap and rub them until they are clean. After rubbing the socks, rinse them with clean water, dry them slightly, spread them flat on the table and smooth them with your hands, dry them in a ventilated place, or cover them with a white cloth and dry them in the sun.

Underwear must be rinsed more often

1. Although many detergents have a bactericidal effect, they are also difficult to clean. The chemical components remaining on underwear are harmful to the human body, especially The underwear is in direct contact with the fragile genitals. If you are not careful, it is easy to become infected and inflamed. Therefore, do not use too much detergent when washing underwear, rinse it several times, and it is best to use an odorless underwear-specific laundry detergent.

2. It is difficult to dry underwear in a humid environment. Even if it is dried, it will have a smell, and more importantly, it is easy for bacteria to breed. To avoid bacterial growth, it's best to keep your underwear dry. Ultraviolet rays are the best natural disinfection system. Try to expose your underwear to the sun and try not to dry your underwear in the bathroom.

Recommendation: Socks and underwear are close-fitting clothing and should be changed and washed every day. It is best to change underwear regularly every six months to avoid bacterial growth.

The above is an introduction to underwear and socks. It can be seen that it is best not to wash underwear and socks together. You have to remember this. We know that some excrement will remain on the underwear, and a lot of sweat will remain on the socks. If you wash underwear and socks together, bacterial cross-infection may occur, so it is best not to wash them together. As the most intimate clothing, underwear and socks will directly affect our health, so they must be washed and replaced frequently.