How to Prevent Smelly Socks

Whether you’re the smeller or the smellee, smelly socks aren’t fun. Aside from the odour that is likened to your finest after dinner cheese board, it’s embarrassing.

What’s more, it’s also bad for your health. In some instances smelly feet can be a sign of hyperhidrosis or a fungal infection. By no means life threatening but it’s certainly unpleasant and requires a trip to see your local doctor.

It may comfort some to know that foot odor is very common. Each foot has 250,000 sweat glands can produce up to a pint of sweat a day. More if you’re particularly active.

That’s a lot for the average sock to deal with.

Of course, smelly feet doesn’t happen by accident. It occurs when all that sweat has nowhere to go giving the naturally occurring bacteria that live on your feet an all you can eat buffet.

They produce isovaleric acid as a byproduct and that’s what causes the odor.

So how do prevent poisoning the family when you get home from a hard day’s work?

We are a pro-foot business.

Looking after your feet is so important whether you’re a stay at home parent, work in an office, a shop or you spend your days in a factory or field.

Your feet - like you knees - are your best friends if you look after them properly. Because - let’s be honest - how much harder is your day when your feet hurt? Or your shoes rub?

Taking care of your feet will reduce both the amount of dried sweat on your feet but also the bacteria that feeds off it. That means your feet will be cleaner and naturally less odorous.

This is a good thing. Especially for anyone who has to live with you.

Here’s a few things that can keep your feet fresh and fromage free…

• Eat right - spicy, processed and fatty foods are known to cause the body to sweat more so cutting down will reduce sweating. The same goes for caffeine. Sorry.
• Maintain good hygiene. That means washing your feet with antibacterial soap. It’s the bacteria that cause the odor after all.
• Use alcohol wipes prior to putting on your socks and shoes. This will reduce moisture on the foot.
• Antiperspirant and deodorant specifically for feet are available in some parts of the world. Granted we apply the stuff to stop our armpits from sweating and smelling but nature put 250,000 sweat glands on our feet for a reason.The issue isn’t that your feet sweat - because they’re meant to - it’s about preventing them from smelling.
• Antifungal foot powder will help to to control the growth of any fungal spores on your feet and prevent infections.If you’re feet get particularly sweaty this is a good move, in addition to good hygiene as stated above.
Of course good footcare is only half the battle. The right (or the wrong) socks has a direct impact on the condition of your feet and how smelly they are at the end of the day.

How many times have you got back from a day out tramping or with the family and you’ve had to peel off your sweat soaked socks. If that happens you were wearing the wrong ones.

Cheap socks - novelty or otherwise - are exactly that. They are made from synthetics or a blend that make sure feet hotter than necessary, causing them to perspire more than they should. This means more sweat and yet more bacteria at the buffet table. There’s also the added hassle that you’re dehydrating faster than necessary too.

The right socks - depending on what you’re doing with your time - will not only means your feet are more comfortable but you’ll reduce the chances of foot odor too. Natural fibre socks are always the way to go. Although cotton socks are fine, nothing is as good as wool.

We’re not biased, it’s just a fact and here’s why:

Wool breathes in a way that no other natural fibre does. That means your feet are kept at a constant temperature. Which means your feet aren’t producing excess sweat. Wool also naturally wicks away moisture so the sweat your feet are producing is being absorbed by the socks, so your feet stay fresh for longer.

Because the feet are dry the bacteria on your feet have very little feed on so don’t produce that foul smelling isovaleric acid. Throw in the fact that merino and possum wool socks are significantly more comfortable your feet will feel great.

Obviously the trick is to choose the right socks for the situation. Going to work in thick hiking socks - when you work in an air conditioned office - is asking for trouble. While the socks will capable of absorbing the moisture, your feet will not be as comfortable as they should be.

Good footcare coupled with the right kind of socks keep your foot fresh and prevent the build up of isovaleric acid. Thus keeping your feet and therefore socks odor free.

To find the perfect merino or possum wool socks to meet your needs view our range by clicking here. Or if you have any questions about our products or any specific requirements get in touch today.