Socks worn all day could be 20 times dirtier than a toilet seat and if you sleep in them, you’re dragging all that bacteria into bed with you.
For most people, taking off your socks before bed is part of the nightly routine – and it feels strange not to. But if you’re really tired, you might just fall asleep with them on.
Now experts at Bed Savvy are warning that this habit could be exposing you to harmful bacteria. Research has found that socks worn all day can be up to 20 times dirtier than a toilet seat.
You might think falling asleep in your socks is harmless especially after a long day. But experts are warning the habit could be turning your bed into a breeding ground for bacteria.
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According to research by Bed Savvy, socks worn all day can carry up to 20 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. That cosy, snug feeling? It’s bringing a load of germs straight under your duvet.
“With more bacteria than your bathroom, your socks are one of the dirtiest items you can bring under the duvet,” a spokesperson explained. “It’s a hygiene nightmare hidden in plain sight.”
18 per cent of Brits sleep in socks and most don’t even change them
It’s not just a once-in-a-while thing, either. A survey found that 18% of people regularly sleep in their socks – and 70% of them don’t bother switching to a fresh pair.
That means millions are unknowingly dragging germs across their pillows, sheets and even their mattresses. Over time, that build-up can turn your bed – the place you go to rest into a full-on bacterial zone.
What’s really living on your socks?
Researchers swabbed used socks and found something seriously shocking– over 50% contained Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria linked to cockroach droppings that can trigger skin rashes, infections, and even respiratory issues.
To make it worse, the microbial makeup of dirty socks is said to closely match what you’d find on a doormat. – essentially sleeping in socks is basically like tucking yourself in with your front mat.
Your feet are a walking bacteria farm
Each foot carries around 10 million microbes per square centimetre, with up to 1,000 different species chilling on your skin. A lot of them are harmless – until they’re trapped in the warm, sweaty environment of a sock.
Leave that on overnight, and you’ve basically created a microbe hotel. It’s the perfect set-up for things like athlete’s foot and other fungal nasties to thrive not to mention what ends up spreading onto your bed.
Experts say: leave your socks on the floor, not in bed
The advice is simple: if you can, go barefoot at night. And if you have to wear socks to bed, make sure it’s a freshly washed pair you only wear for sleeping.
“Your bed should be a place of rest, not a bacterial breeding ground,” the spokesperson added. “If you wouldn’t rest your head on a toilet seat, then you shouldn’t be wearing dirty socks in bed either.” So before you climb under the covers tonight, ditch the socks. Your feet and your bed will be much cleaner for it.