'This' 20 Times Dirtier Than Toilet... Bacteria 'Rapidly Increase' If You Sleep Without Reporting

Results of Swab Tests on Eight Pairs of Socks Worn All Day
Socks Worn All Day Found to Contain Up to 20 Times More Bacteria Than a Toilet Seat
Wearing Clean Socks to Bed Can Help Improve Sleep Quality

A study has found that going to bed wearing the same socks worn all day after returning home can be harmful to health.

According to the Cleveland Sleep Clinic in the United States on the 13th (local time), wearing socks to bed helps dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow, which aids in maintaining an optimal body temperature. This is especially effective during winter, as keeping the feet warm shortens the time it takes to fall asleep and increases the likelihood of deep sleep. However, wearing socks worn all day to bed is not hygienic.

A recent survey conducted by a UK mattress company on 1,130 Reddit users showed that only 30% of people who wear socks to bed wore clean socks. An analysis of the microbial content of eight pairs of socks worn throughout the day revealed that socks contained 20 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.

This level of contamination is even dirtier than a typical TV remote control. Bacteria that can cause infections, such as dust mites, mold, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were found on the socks. In 25% of the socks, bacteria related to feces were also detected. The research team explained that this contamination is likely due to environmental factors such as walking barefoot indoors or cockroach droppings.

(This photo is not directly related to the article.) Photo by Pixabay

Experts recommend the following hygiene practices: △wear clean socks to bed △wear indoor slippers at home as much as possible to prevent sock contamination △wash bed sheets frequently.

Meanwhile, wearing clean socks to bed is beneficial for health. Body temperature generally drops before falling asleep, and people with cold hands and feet may take longer to fall asleep because of this.

Therefore, for people who feel cold, wearing clean socks can be a method to achieve better sleep. Studies show that people who wear socks fall asleep 7.5 minutes faster, sleep 32 minutes longer, and wake up 7.5 times less frequently during the night.