Is it possible to wash socks and underpants together?

Socks and panties are the most popular clothes in the wardrobe, which we try to change as often as possible. Therefore, the need for timely washing arises almost daily. There are different opinions about whether socks and underpants can be washed together.

Where did this come from"?

For a long time, these products were washed by hand in two ways:

1. they soaped, rubbed, and then washed off the dirt and foam from them with running water. We did this immediately after changing the linen, so as not to “accumulate” it in the basket;
2. soaked with soap or powder in a basin and then rinsed. Heavily soiled items were pre-washed.

The first washing machines were harsh on these garments. They tore and pulled out the fabric, and socks and underpants, due to their small size, periodically “died” inside this miracle technique, clogging the drain. Therefore, many housewives still preferred hand washing these products.

With the advent of automatic washing machines, the situation has changed radically.Today, their functions allow you to regulate the processing temperature from 30 to 90 degrees and take into account the quality of the material. You don’t have to use the spin function, but simply drain the water. That's why Often panties and socks are washed together, following certain rules.

When can I wash it?

Together you can put the items in the washing machine:

• similar in quality of material;
• same shade;
• not very dirty.

It is important to choose the right washing mode. For light or fast-dyed cotton and linen, you can set the temperature to high. For synthetics, silk and wool – delicate mode with a temperature of no more than 40 degrees.

Why is this considered undesirable?

The proximity of panties and socks is considered undesirable, primarily for hygienic reasons and associated with the risk of spreading microscopic pathogens. According to scientific research:

• to completely destroy certain types of viruses and microbes, the water temperature must be at least 60 degrees;
• the fungus is completely killed by being in water with detergent at a temperature of 80 degrees and above for 20 minutes.

It is for these reasons that using gentle programs will not eliminate the problem of sanitation.

When should you absolutely not wash?

There are conditions under which washing panties and socks in the same batch is contraindicated:

• They are all different colors, there are specimens that are subject to molting. After such a procedure, the linen will be hopelessly damaged;
• the fabrics from which they are made are of different quality (cotton, synthetics, wool);
• they contain complex stains that can “migrate” to neighbors (fuel oil, gasoline, etc.);
• there is a person in the house with a bacterial or viral infection, fungal disease. In this case, his laundry must be washed separately from the clothes of other family members.

When washing both socks and panties, you must:

1. Wash children's clothes separately from adults;
2. sort laundry by color and quality;
3. read the inscriptions on the labels. They usually indicate at what temperature you can wash, how to dry, whether spinning is recommended;
4. select detergents appropriate for textiles;
5. set the correct washing program;
6. Wash especially delicate and delicate items by hand.

Important! Disinfect your washing machine periodically. Microorganisms also live inside it. To get rid of them, run a 90-degree cycle at least once a month in “idle” mode - without laundry, adding soda (baking or soda ash) with vinegar or citric acid inside.

Whether you wash socks and panties together or separately is your decision. If you change your laundry frequently, avoiding heavy contamination, follow the above recommendations, and do not suffer from illness or disgust, you can easily allow co-washing. Otherwise, use a separate one.