How to Disinfect Shoes and Socks to Prevent Fungal Reinfection
How to Disinfect Shoes and Socks to Prevent Fungal Reinfection
By Sylke Bommel Ā· Updated August 2026 Ā· 6 min read
Key Takeaways
- Fungal spores can survive inside shoes long after visible symptoms clear, which is a major driver of reinfection
- Reported recurrence rates for treated fungal nail and skin infections range from roughly 10-53%, and untreated footwear is a known contributor
- Rotating shoes so each pair fully dries between wears reduces the damp environment fungus needs to survive
- Disinfectant sprays formulated for footwear target spores inside shoes that washing alone can't reach
- Socks should be washed in hot water when possible, since fungus can also survive on fabric
Why Shoes Are a Reinfection Risk
Shoes are a major reinfection risk because fungal spores can survive inside the warm, dark, often damp interior long after a skin or nail infection has visibly cleared.
Treating the nail or skin without addressing footwear leaves a reservoir of spores ready to reinfect the same feet, which is one of the most overlooked reasons fungal infections seem to keep coming back.
How Common Is Reinfection?
Reported recurrence rates for treated fungal nail infections range widely, roughly 10% to 53% depending on the treatment method and follow-up period, according to a review of ingrown and fungal nail management literature.
This wide range reflects how much recurrence depends on factors beyond the nail itself, including whether the fungus is still present in shoes, socks, or shared surfaces the person continues to use.
How to Disinfect Shoes
Spray the interior of shoes with an antifungal disinfectant, let them air out fully between wears, and avoid wearing the same pair two days in a row.
A dedicated shoe and sock disinfectant spray reaches into the fabric and lining of shoes in a way that simply airing them out does not, targeting spores that survive in the material itself. This is the specific gap Imperial Feet's Anti-Fungal Shoe & Sock Disinfectant Spray is designed to close, alongside good drying habits.
How to Handle Socks
Wash socks in the hottest water the fabric allows, and change them daily, or more often if feet sweat heavily.
Standard washing at lower temperatures may not fully eliminate fungal spores from fabric, so using hot water where the sock material allows, and avoiding letting worn socks sit before washing, both reduce the chance of reintroducing fungus to freshly treated feet.
Building a Reinfection Prevention Routine
A simple prevention routine covers three things: rotate shoes so each pair fully dries, disinfect shoe interiors regularly during and after treatment, and wash socks in hot water.
This matters most in the weeks right after finishing a nail or skin fungal treatment, when the skin and nail are still vulnerable and any lingering spores in footwear have the easiest opportunity to reinfect.
10-53%
reported recurrence rate range for treated fungal nail infections, with untreated footwear a known contributing factor
Reinfection Prevention Checklist
- āRotate at least two pairs of shoes so each fully dries
- āSpray shoe interiors with an antifungal disinfectant regularly
- āWash socks in hot water when the fabric allows
- āChange socks daily, more often if feet sweat heavily
- āContinue shoe care for several weeks after treatment ends
ā¹ļø Good to know: Treating the nail or skin alone, without addressing footwear, is one of the most common reasons fungal infections appear to come back after successful treatment.
Anti-Fungal Shoe & Sock Disinfectant Spray
Anti-Fungal Shoe & Sock Disinfectant Spray targets spores that survive inside shoe linings and fabric, closing the gap that airing shoes out alone can't reach.
View Anti-Fungal Shoe & Sock Disinfectant SprayFrequently Asked Questions
Can fungus survive in shoes after the infection clears?
Yes. Fungal spores can survive in the warm, dark interior of shoes long after a skin or nail infection has visibly resolved, which is why footwear is a common and often overlooked source of reinfection.
How often should I disinfect my shoes during fungal treatment?
Regular use during active treatment and for several weeks afterward is a reasonable approach, since the feet remain vulnerable during that window and any lingering spores in shoes have an easy opportunity to reinfect.
Does washing socks in cold water kill fungus?
Not reliably. Hot water is more effective at eliminating fungal spores from fabric where the material allows it, so using the hottest safe setting for socks reduces the chance of reintroducing fungus.
Why does my fungal infection keep coming back?
Reported recurrence rates for treated fungal nail infections range widely, and untreated footwear carrying leftover spores is a well-documented contributing factor, alongside incomplete initial treatment.
Is airing out shoes enough to prevent reinfection?
Airing shoes out helps reduce moisture, but it doesn't reliably eliminate spores embedded in the shoe's fabric and lining, which is why a dedicated antifungal spray adds meaningful protection beyond drying alone.
Clinical Sources
- Zaias N, Escovar SM, Rebell G. Opportunistic toenail onychomycosis: recurrence and reinfection following treatment, reviewed in nail fungus management literature.
- Thomas J, Jacobson GA, Narkowicz CK, Peterson GM, Burnet H, Sharpe C. Toenail onychomycosis: an important global disease burden. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2010;35(5):497-519. PMID: 20831675.
- Ingrown Toenail Management. Osteopathic Family Physician, reviewing recurrence rates of 10-53% for fungal-related nail conditions following treatment.
- Onychomycosis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025. NCBI Bookshelf ID: NBK441853.
Related Reading
- How to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus: A Complete Guide
- Why is nail fungus so hard to get rid of?
- Different Types of Foot Fungus and the Best Treatment
Owner, Imperial Feet ā Third-Generation Foot Care
Sylke Bommel is the owner and third-generation leader of Imperial Feet, the Dutch professional foot care brand her grandfather founded in 2001. Raised in Aruba and based in Haarlem, just outside Amsterdam, she has led the brand's international expansion for over a decade, growing Imperial Feet from a single Dutch distributor to a professional range used by pedicurists, podiatrists, and pharmacies in more than 20 countries, including the United States.
Editorial note: Sylke writes from the perspective of a foot care brand owner and formulator, not a medical practitioner. Content is educational and does not replace individual medical advice from a qualified foot care professional.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace individual medical advice from a qualified foot care professional. If you have diabetes, poor circulation, or a persistent infection, consult a podiatrist before self-treating.
