Stinky socks? How to remove (2024)

FAQs

Stinky socks? How to remove? ›

Step 1) Start With A Soak

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.

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. Smelly feet can occur alone, but certain foot conditions, such as athlete's foot, may cause smelly feet, too.

Before you start scrubbing anything, fill a basin or your laundry room sink with hot water and white vinegar at a ratio of 1 gallon to 2 cups. Then, dunk your smelly socks into the solution and allow them to soak for some time. The longer, the better, but a half hour or so should be fine.

Smells or stains

If the smell just won't go away on your socks, toss them. Smelly feet are often a sign of a fungal infection. If a regular wash on laundry day isn't helping, start new. If you see stains, you also must wonder if you are wearing a clean pair.

In a litre of boiled water, add a cup of white vinegar and then throw in your socks to soak overnight. Your white socks should be noticeably perkier by the next day. By which time, all you have to do is put them through a normal spin cycle to rid your socks of any lingering grime… and vinegar odour!

Sweating. Sweating in the groin area can attract fungus and bacteria that can lead to a bad smell. Showering after exercise or athletic activity can help reduce the bad-smelling effects of smells related to sweating.

Does baking soda clean socks? ›

- Soaking white socks in a mixture of water and baking soda can remove stubborn stains and odors. - Using a whitening detergent specifically designed for white clothing can help maintain the brightness of white socks. - Hanging white socks in direct sunlight can naturally bleach and brighten them.

Use a ratio of one part vinegar to two parts warm water, and soak your feet in the mixture for about 20 minutes. White vinegar and apple cider vinegar both work equally well. If you just can't take the smell of vinegar, a half cup of Epson salts dissolved in a basin of warm water is also a good deep-soak choice.

Some people suffer from bad smell from socks in office, chat or event. In medical terms, it is called bromodosis. Bacteria in the socks mix with the sweat on the feet to create a strong odor.

“Dirty Sock Syndrome” refers to when a foul-smelling, mold- or mildew-like odor comes from your air conditioner when you first turn it on. This happens when moisture, dust, and dirt build up on your AC system's evaporator coil, inviting bacteria and mold to multiply.

This is why Nu-Calgon Bio-Fresh is the chosen cleaner for Dirty Sock Syndrome.

Sometimes, you might pull your socks out of the washing machine, only to find they're still dirty! The reason for this usually tends to be a lack of detergent.