The Importance of Washing Your Sandals Regularly: Expert Guidelines

KOMPAS.com – We all know that washing clothes is important, but we often forget that washing sandals is just as important.

The sandals we wear every day collect dirt, dust and germs.

Also read: Why Do Experts Recommend Washing Bed Sheets Once a Week?

If it is never washed, problems could arise.

It could be that we don’t realize how dirty the sandals we wear are.

When we walk in our sandals, we often get exposed to mud, road dust, and even germs from various places.

All this piles up every day. So, what are the dangers of being lazy about washing your sandals?

Sandals can become a nest for germs

Sandals that are rarely or never washed can cause some problems, although the effects may not be as bad as dirty clothes.

Reporting from Live Strong, Wednesday (27/12/2023), over time, sandals can become a nest for germs causing irritation or infection of the skin of the feet.

Alissa Kuizinas, a podiatrist in Concord, Massachusetts, said that sandals can harbor bacteria and fungi that can cause diseases such as athlete’s foot and toenail fungus, as well as viruses that cause plantar warts.

“Sandals can harbor bacteria and fungi that cause athlete’s foot and toenail fungus as well as viruses that cause plantar warts,” says Kuizinas.

Apart from that, sandals can collect dead skin cells and dirt which can make your feet itchy or irritated.

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Another common problem is smelly feet, caused by sweat and bacteria in sandals.

Reporting from Medium.com, Wednesday (27/12/2023), bacteria and fungi can enter through cracks or wounds in the feet, causing infections that require doctor’s treatment.

Dirty shoes can also carry a lot of dirt such as dust, pollen and pet hair.

For people who have asthma or allergies, this dirt can make them cough or have difficulty breathing.

Apart from that, dirty shoes can also carry germs and viruses that can make us sick, such as flu or other respiratory problems.

This risk is lower for those who wear sandals with socks, but without socks, the feet are more exposed to germs.

The risk increases if sweaty feet create a moist environment that is ideal for germs to thrive.

Wearing sandals indoors and outdoors can also bring dangerous germs into the house.

So, keeping your sandals clean is important for foot health.

How often should you wash your sandals?

You need to wash your sandals regularly, but you may be wondering, “How often?”

Also read: Latest WHO Guide, Check Out How to Wash Cloth Masks

Kuizinas provides simple instructions, namely wash your sandals when you see dirt, smell an unpleasant odor, or feel dampness.

“A good rule of thumb is to wash them when there is visible dirt, bad odor, or any moisture inside the sandals,” he says.

This could mean washing your sandals once a week, especially if you sweat a lot, don’t wear socks, or use sandals for activities outside the home.

On the other hand, if you usually wear sandals with socks or rarely wear them outside, washing them a few times a year may be enough.

Kuizinas added that there is no need to mark the washing date on the calendar, just wash your sandals when they start to look dirty or smell bad.

This will be a clear signal that your sandals need cleaning.

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2023-12-31 01:00:00
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