The effect of domestic laundry processes on fungal contamination of socks.
Amichai B, Grunwald MH, Davidovici B, Farhi R, Shemer A. Int J Dermatol. 2013 Jul 24.
Nothing new under the sun. One of my undergrads, Cheryl Stead, pretty much did this study about ten years ago with similar results. As I recall she procured brand new cotton socks from Marks and Spencer's, impregnated them with yeast- washed and cultured and found that washing didn't denature the yeast. She also took socks and similarly impregnated them, nuked them in a microwave for a short period (can't remember the time- might have been 10 or 20 seconds) and this denatured the yeast and prevented growth in-vitro.
Yes, yes, yes, and with pitted keratolysis, Corynebacter spp.
burn the socks!
There is a well known article of faith in the accommodation business that sheets that cannot be boiled should not be bought.
Cheryl Mendelsohn, a housekeeping guru (and a great aunt of mine, once housekeeper at St Andrews golf course) states that studies, which she does not quote have found fungi and bacteria present in any articles washed below 65C.
Now, my brand new washing machine, a Simpson, (a very good brand,) automatically puts up an 'eco wash'.
I have to press off the eco wash.
The eco wash is a lower temp with less water, and a truncated rinse.
That is so unhygenic!!!
I advise white vinegar in the rinse for disinfecting purposes.
But socks are so cheap now a days, burn them and buy new.
By the by, I have the latest book on Candida 'Candida and Candidiasis' 2nd ed by Richar A Calderone and Cornelius J. Clancy.
Worth reading for the fungal fans.