Fungal Infection and Laundry: How to Wash Contaminated Items

At a Glance

Quick Answer: Why Laundry Matters During a Fungal Infection

Because the fungi responsible for skin infections — dermatophytes and Candida yeasts — survive on textiles and can cause reinfection even if medical treatment is followed correctly.

Infected skin continuously sheds fungal spores that land on everything it touches: socks, underwear, bath towels, sheets. If these textiles are not washed at a high enough temperature, the spores remain viable and recontaminate the skin at every contact. This is one of the most common reasons fungal infections “keep coming back” despite properly followed antifungal treatment.

What Science Says About Fungal Resistance to Washing

Fungi are more heat-resistant than common bacteria. Here is what studies show:

Dermatophytes

Dermatophytes (Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton) cause athlete’s foot, nail infections, groin infections (jock itch) and scalp infections (ringworm). Their spores, called arthrospores, are particularly resistant:

• At 40 degrees C, a significant proportion of spores survive the wash cycle.
• At 60 degrees C, the vast majority of spores are destroyed during a standard 30-minute wash cycle.
• Complete drying is an essential complement because dermatophytes require moisture to germinate.

Candida Yeasts

Candida albicans, responsible for candidiasis (vulvar, oral, cutaneous), is slightly less heat-resistant than dermatophytes but has other characteristics:

• Candida can form biofilms on textiles, making it harder to remove by mechanical washing action alone.
• At 60 degrees C, the combined effect of heat and detergent surfactants effectively destroys the colonies.
• Candida yeasts multiply rapidly in warm, moist environments — fast drying of laundry is therefore critical.

Complete Washing Protocol by Infection Type

Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is the most common fungal infection. It affects the spaces between the toes, the sole and sometimes the nails. Priority items:

Critical items: socks, tights, foot towels, bath mats, slippers.

Specific protocol:

• Change socks every day — twice a day if sweating is significant.
• Wash all socks at 60 degrees C. White cotton socks handle this temperature without issue. For technical sports socks, check the label — most polyesters tolerate 60 degrees C.
• The bath mat should be washed at 60 degrees C at least once a week during the infection.
• Dry socks completely — never store them still damp in a drawer.

Often overlooked: shoes. Shoes do not go in the machine at 60 degrees C, but they harbor the same fungi. Sprinkle them with antifungal powder or baking soda↗, and alternate pairs to let them dry completely between wearings.

Candidiasis (Vulvar, Cutaneous)

Candidiasis affects moist areas of the body: skin folds, vulvar area, armpits. Items to treat:

Critical items: underwear, panties, boxers, bath towels, washcloths, sheets if the affected area contacts the bedding.

Specific protocol:

• Change underwear every day — this is the standard even without an infection, but the reminder is useful.
• Prefer cotton underwear during treatment — it handles 60 degrees C washing better and is less favorable to fungal growth than synthetic fabrics.
• Bath towels should be changed every 2 days maximum during the infection.
• Sheets should be changed every 3-4 days if the candidiasis affects the torso or thighs.

Ringworm (Scalp, Body)

Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection, common in children. It affects the scalp, skin and sometimes nails. The textile protocol is stricter due to its high contagiousness.

Critical items: pillowcases, sheets, hats, scarves, combs and brushes (not machine-washable but must be disinfected), bath towels.

Specific protocol:

• Change the pillowcase every day if ringworm affects the scalp.
• Do not share any head items: hats, caps, combs, brushes, hair ties.
• Wash all textiles in contact with the infected area at 60 degrees C minimum.
• Ringworm is contagious enough to justify strict separate washing of the infected person’s laundry throughout treatment.

Which Items to Wash at Which Temperature

Drying: The Step Everyone Underestimates

Complete drying of laundry is as important as the wash temperature. Fungi are organisms that depend on moisture to survive, germinate and multiply. Laundry washed at 60 degrees C but poorly dried or put away still damp recreates a favorable environment.

Drying Rules During a Fungal Infection

Do Not Share: The Most Important Rule

Sharing towels, washcloths, socks and underwear is the primary transmission route for skin fungal infections within a household.

The Bathroom: Primary Transmission Zone

The bathroom combines all the factors that favor fungi: humidity, warmth, contact surfaces. During an active fungal infection:

• Bath mat: one per person, washed at 60 degrees C weekly.
• Towels: hung separately to dry between uses, never stacked while damp.
• Flip-flops or slides: wear them in the shower and on tile floors if you have athlete’s foot — especially in multi-person households.
• Surfaces: regularly clean the shower/bathtub floor and tiles with a household antifungal cleaner.

Protocol Duration

The enhanced washing protocol does not stop when symptoms disappear. Here are the milestones:

During Medical Treatment

• Separate washing at 60 degrees C for all items in contact with the infected area.
• Daily change of socks, underwear and washcloths.
• Towel change every 2 days.
• Sheet change every 3-4 days.

After Symptoms Disappear

• Continue the protocol for 2 additional weeks. Fungi can persist on the skin without causing visible symptoms. Stopping the textile protocol prematurely is one of the most common causes of recurrence.
• After these 2 weeks, you can resume normal washing — but keep the habit of washing socks and underwear at 60 degrees C regularly as good general hygiene practice.

When to See Your Doctor Again

If the fungal infection returns despite complete treatment and a properly followed textile protocol, consult your doctor. Some recurring infections require oral antifungal treatment (not just topical) or a mycological examination to precisely identify the fungus involved.

Items That Cannot Handle 60 Degrees C

Some delicate textiles cannot withstand 60 degrees C. Here are the alternatives:

Lace, Silk, Fine Lingerie

• Wash at the maximum temperature allowed by the care label (often 30-40 degrees C).
• Add 2 tablespoons of sodium percarbonate↗ to the drum — it releases active oxygen that boosts antifungal action.
• Dry completely and quickly.
• During treatment, prefer cotton underwear that can handle 60 degrees C.

Wool, Cashmere

• Wash on a wool cycle at 30-40 degrees C with sodium percarbonate.
• Flat drying in a dry, well-ventilated area is important — do not let wool dry in a ball.
• If possible, avoid wearing these materials in direct contact with the infected area during treatment.

Shoes

Shoes cannot go in the machine at 60 degrees C but harbor the same fungi. In the meantime:

• Alternate pairs to allow at least 24 hours of drying between wearings.
• Sprinkle the insides with antifungal powder or baking soda.
• Prefer shoes made of breathable materials (canvas, leather) rather than closed synthetic ones.

The Laundromat Protocol

A laundromat is a practical solution when you need to quickly treat large volumes of contaminated laundry, or if your domestic eco program does not actually reach 60 degrees C.

Preventing Recurrence

Recurrence is the main challenge with skin fungal infections. A few habits significantly reduce the risk:

• Cotton or natural fiber socks: they absorb sweat better than synthetics.
• Change socks daily: even without an infection, this is the foundation of prevention.
• Dry feet thoroughly after showering, paying attention between the toes.
• Do not walk barefoot in locker rooms, pools or communal showers — fungi persist there.
• Air out shoes: never wear the same pair two days in a row while still damp.
• Wash towels at 60 degrees C regularly, even without an active infection.

Where This Guide Stops

This guide covers laundry contaminated by fungal infections. If your concern is laundry from a person with a viral or bacterial illness, see our guide on sick person’s laundry. For the right temperatures for each textile type, see a wash temperature guide.

Methodology and Sources

• British Mycological Society, Fungal skin infections
• NHS UK, Athlete’s foot — Prevention, updated 2025
• Textile Research Journal, Survival of dermatophytes on textiles at different wash temperatures, 2023

Sources and References

• NHS - Athlete’s foot prevention (lien externe)
• CDC - Fungal diseases (lien externe)
• American Academy of Dermatology - Ringworm (lien externe)