Throw Away Those Socks — PodiatryCare, P.C. and the Heel Pain Center (2024)

FAQs

How often should you throw away socks? ›

As a general rule, it's a good idea to replace your socks every six months to a year, depending on how often you wear them. This timeframe allows for regular wear and tear and prevents the buildup of bacteria and odor. Regardless of how often you wear your socks, there are several signs that it's time to replace them.

Holes — big or small

This means your feet are no longer as protected and are lacking coverage. Holes in socks allow moisture, dirt, debris, and more to get close to your feet. All these unwanted scenarios can create bigger problems. If you see holes, it's time to let that pair go.

Again, it truly comes down to the material used, the tension of the sock and making sure the sock fits properly and doesn't move against the skin. Too loose and the sock will rub and irritate, as will thick stitching. Socks that retain moisture can cause blistering.

How often should you wash your underwear, socks and bras? Underwear, socks and undershirts should be washed after every use, while bras can be worn 3-4 times before washing. Since underwear, socks and undershirts are in close contact with your skin and sweat, washing them after every use keeps them smelling fresh.

“There's a balance and every person has a different preference.” Generally, stay away from sleeping with socks made from manufactured materials, such as polyester, which isn't breathable. And unless your healthcare practitioner tells you otherwise, avoid sleeping with compression socks on, as it could damage your skin.

If these old socks have expired, do you really need to keep them around? When done correctly, recycling old socks and purchasing new ones is perfectly fine, as long as you don't go overboard. Pitching your threadbare socks in the garbage isn't an ideal option since fabric waste is a huge issue that clogs landfills.

If you're wondering how long high-quality socks last, the answer is upwards of a year! The lifetime of a sock depends on a variety of factors, including their type and make, the day-to-day activities of their wearer, and how they're cleaned and stored. Crew socks and knee high socks tend to last longer than no-shows.

Causes of heel pain

Ill-fitting shoes. Standing, running or jumping on hard surfaces. Injury to the heel, such as stress fractures. Bursitis (inflammation of a bursa – bursae are small sacs that contain fluid to lubricate moving parts, such as joints and muscles)

How do you walk in heels so they hurt less? ›

How long do socks last? It's a stumper of a question, since there are so many variables that go into their lifespan. Online, the most common answer is three to six months.

My suggestion is to change your socks at least once a day. More than once if you are performing a high level of activities that make you perspire a lot.

If you wear socks for more than 3 days, it can have a significant long-term effect on your feet. Not only will the fabric begin to wear away and cause blistering, but bacteria and fungi can also accumulate in between your toes if the socks are not changed regularly.

If you have worn your socks for at least six months, it is an excellent time to consider replacing them. Wear and tear naturally happens, and while the sock may look fine on the surface, eventually, the elastics get stretched, and you'll no longer enjoy the benefits from the compression.