By Parul Sharma

Copyright mirror

If you’re amongst those who are guilty of nodding off in your socks after a lengthy day, you might need to reconsider this bedtime routine. Sleep experts have issued a stark warning – wearing socks to bed – especially the same pair you’ve had on all day – could expose you to bacterial levels that are truly shocking. Research has revealed socks worn throughout the day can contain 20 times more grime than a toilet seat. The warm, damp conditions inside them provide a perfect breeding ground for germs to multiply – and when those socks make their way into bed, all that dirt comes with them. Sleep specialists at Bed Sava explain: “With more bacteria than your bathroom, your socks are one of the dirtiest items you can bring under the duvet. It’s a hygiene nightmare hidden in plain sight.”, reports the Express . Studies show that 18% of people regularly sleep wearing socks, and worryingly, 70% of them don’t change to a clean pair before bedtime. This means millions across the UK are unknowingly bringing contaminated socks beneath their covers each evening. The experts warn this habit spreads bacteria from socks onto bed linen, pillows and even mattresses. Over time, germs build up, turning the very place meant for rest and recovery into a heavily polluted zone. The bacteria lurking in socks isn’t merely harmless. Swab tests revealed that 50% of worn pairs contained Pseudomonas aeruginosa – a pathogen associated with cockroach droppings that can trigger skin infections, rashes and even respiratory illness. To compound matters, the bacterial composition on soiled socks closely resembles that of a household doormat – amongst the grimiest items in any home. Put simply, wearing socks to bed is essentially like snuggling up with your front doormat. Part of the issue stems from the sheer quantity of microbes your feet naturally harbour. Each foot contains approximately 10 million microbes per square centimetre, with up to 1,000 different species residing on one person’s skin. Whilst many are benign, socks ensnare this flourishing ecosystem in a warm, damp environment – precisely the conditions bacteria require to proliferate. When worn through the night, they transform into a microbial incubator, with germs spreading across feet, bedding and sleeping surfaces. Over time this heightens the risk of fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, whilst creating a less sanitary environment in bed. The experts’ guidance is clear – abandon the socks at bedtime. If you absolutely must wear them, only use a freshly laundered pair designated for sleeping. Better yet, allow your feet to breathe naturally overnight. The experts say: “Your bed should be a place of rest, not a bacterial breeding ground. If you wouldn’t rest your head on a toilet seat, then you shouldn’t be wearing dirty socks in bed either.” That cosy, warm feeling of sleeping in socks might appear harmless, but the research reveals a dramatically different reality. With bacterial levels exceeding those found on a toilet seat, millions are putting their health at risk each night. So, before you tuck yourself under the covers tonight, take off those socks. Your feet – and your bed – will be considerably cleaner as a result.