Wearing socks in bed can seem like a genius way to keep your feet warm, but it turns out that it’s pretty grim – as researchers have shared the ‘disgusting’ reason why
Snuggling into bed with socks might seem like a toasty treat during the winter chills, but health buffs have sounded an alarm over this seemingly clever hack.
Rather than cranking up the heat, tucking into snug PJs and keeping your socks on might feel like a cosy alternative – but at what cost?
Experts have slung a major hygiene warning about how ‘disgusting’ it is to wear your socks all day, and then allow them to marinate under the covers all night.
A bombshell tip-off came from the @calmdownpod TikTok crew, who dropped that “researchers are urging people to stop wearing unclean socks to bed” – a grim wake-up call for sock enthusiasts.
Those with a special pair reserved for between the sheets can breathe easy though – so it’s not all doom and gloom for warm toes in winter.
The underlying research turned stomachs with the discovery that our everyday socks might be thriving hotspots for bacteria – the kind found around cockroaches and their droppings. If the thought of snoozing amid such microscopic creepy-crawlies doesn’t put you off, then we’re not sure what will.
This “disgusting” reveal had the show’s hosts reeling, prompting them to challenge the whole socks-at-bedtime ritual. They asked: “Why are we wearing socks to bed?”
However, some defended wearing socks to bed in the comments section. A responder wrote: “I’m shocked this many people are clueless to life in winter in a cold climate. Who DOESN’T wear socks to bed in winter in northern attitudes?”
Someone else pointed out: “Clean socks are fine”. As it’s only dirty socks that pose a health risk by spreading bacteria, you can continue wearing them as long as you get a fresh pair out.
