Dry Your Clothes Thoroughly Damp clothing and dirty clothing that is packed together without proper airflow are breeding grounds for nasty-smelling bacteria, mildew or mold —all of which can contribute to bad odors that linger after the wash.
The cause of smelly socks is actually a bacteria, which accumulates in your sweat. That is why socks used for athletic purposes are notorious for reeking up the laundry basket.
Soak your socks
If foot odor still clings to your socks after they've been washed and dried, try soaking the offending socks in a vinegar bath: Use 2 cups of white vinegar per gallon of water and allow the socks to soak for 30 minutes. Rinse out the vinegar and wash as usual.
Wearing shoes and socks traps sweat and bacteria, often making foot odor worse. Bacteria collect in your shoes, socks, and on your skin. The bacteria multiply, eating the dead skin cells and oil that are on your feet. As the bacteria breaks down, it releases a smelly odor.
You left your clothes in the washer too long.
A dark, wet environment like a washing machine is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and mildew to thrive. These can build up in your clothing as time goes on, eventually leaving them with a permanent odor.
Hot water has the most cleaning power because it speeds up the chemical reaction of the detergent. This means decreased wash times and less detergent. If you want to guarantee your clothes will smell clean and fresh the next day, wash them in hot water.
The primary culprits are bacteria, sweat and body oils, which build up inside synthetic fabrics and cause a literal stink. In addition to subjecting gym apparel to large quantities of the above, the fabric they're made from is another odor contributor.
There are the two main features to look for when choosing socks for sweaty feet — moisture-wicking material and breathability. Moisture-wicking socks are made from fabrics like merino wool, nylon, and polyester that are designed to transfer sweat away from the skin so it can be evaporated.
Cotton: The Reason Everyone Has Wet Stinky Feet
Even though cotton feels like a light and comfortable material, moisture absorbed by cotton fibers doesn't evaporate back into the air outside the sock! Cotton fibers retain heat, instead of insulating (like wool) and that heat creates bacteria and odor.
We recommend washing your socks at temperatures of no more than 30 degrees. While all washing machines are a bit different, all reputable manufacturers should have low-temperature eco settings that you can make use of and accomplish this.
Antonopoulos says if you're struggling with smelly feet even after washing, opt for a fragrance-free soap. Again, make sure to dry your feet well when you're done. He says you could also try an antifungal powder if the stench won't let up.
Soak your feet
Thoroughly cleaning your feet is more than rinsing them in a quick shower. Dr. Rowland recommends soaking your feet in a mixture of vinegar and water or Epsom salt and water. For a salt soak, dissolve half a cup of Epsom salt in a tub or large bowl of warm water and soak for about 10 to 20 minutes.
Baking soda – Just like talcum powder, sprinkling it over your feet can help dry up any moisture, making it difficult for bacteria to grow. It also helps to neutralise odour. You can even sprinkle some baking soda in socks before wearing them and in your shoes overnight to help them dry out.
Cotton socks often provide good cushioning for sports and quick errands, but cotton can also retain moisture—which is obviously bad when it comes to preventing foot odor. It's better to seek out synthetic materials.
Sweat causes your skin to break down and also creates a moist environment that encourages bacteria and fungi to grow. As bacteria and fungi grow, they release chemicals that smell bad, leading to smelly feet. Everyone has bacteria and fungi on their skin. And everyone's feet sweat.
Wool. Wool is a natural fiber, like cotton, but it is able to keep feet dry while absorbing sweat. Wool has antibacterial properties that can inhibit the growth of bacteria - the cause of another sweat condition, called bromhidrosis, that causes stinky sweat.
Your podiatrist can help you control smelly feet for good. Contact Podiatry Care for further information on treatment.
Smell does not usually contain bacteria, which carry disease and are much larger than the gaseous molecules that make up a smell. So the odor itself cannot make you sick.
The smell of freshly-washed laundry doesn't have to be short-lived. There are a few simple tips and tricks that can help stop you from stinky laundry. Try using vinegar, coffee grounds, dryer sheets, a clean laundry basket, so you can enjoy clean-smelling clothes for weeks to come.
For heavily soiled clothes, prewash them in cool water, then wash them again in water that is 130°F or higher. The rinse water can always be cold without any harmful effects on the wash load.
In fact, one type of bacteria, brevibacterium, lives in between the toes, thrives in a damp, salty environment, and produces the cheese-like smell of feet. That same bacteria is actually used in the cheese-creation process for Muenster, Entrammes, and Limburger cheeses.
It's a byproduct of the bacteria on your feet consuming your sweat. If your feet smell like vinegar, it's most likely the result of propionibacteria breaking down your sweat and producing propionic acid, which is similar to acetic acid (vinegar).