How do you disinfect a shower from athlete's foot?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 22, 2026
Wash all socks, towels, bath mats, sheets and any other items that may have come into contact with the infection in the hottest water possible. If the fabrics can tolerate it, a cap of Lysol disinfectant in the wash is helpful. Dry thoroughly, and at the highest heat setting possible.
What kills athlete's foot fungus in shower?
Using hydrogen peroxide on the affected area of your foot may help kill the fungus and prevent it from spreading. A 2002 study found that applying a solution made of water and 25 percent tea tree oil improved the symptoms of athlete's foot.
How do I clean my bathtub after athlete's foot?
Rinse the tub with a bleach solution before anyone else uses it. Towels. Many parents do not realize that a towel can transfer athlete's foot from one person to another. Make sure that all towels, sponges, and washcloths used during your child's bath or shower are hung separately and washed immediately.
Does Athlete's foot live in the shower?
Myth 5: You can only get athlete's foot by walking barefoot in areas where the fungus lives. Walking barefoot in a locker room or public shower is one way to get athlete's foot, but it's not the only way. You can also become infected if you share a towel, socks, or shoes with someone who has athlete's foot.
How do you prevent foot fungus in the shower?
Wear shower shoes – Walking barefoot in a public shower or even a locker room can expose you to fungus. Wear flip flops or shower sandals to protect your feet. Bring your own soap – Soap that you bring won't be contaminated by other people or have been exposed to the damp floors.
33 related questions foundCan you use Lysol on athlete's foot?
One of the most common reasons athlete's foot lingers is because people don't treat their shoes, so they re-infect their feet. Here's what doctor Green suggests: "You can take wadded up newspaper or paper towels and spray them down with Lysol and stuff them in the shoes and just leave them there overnight.
Can a dirty shower cause athlete's foot?
Athlete's foot is a common infection picked up from the shower floor. Wart viruses and HPV can also be present. “The most serious common infection that you can acquire from a shower is MRSA, or methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus,” said McKenzie.
What kills athlete's foot instantly?
Many natural or home remedies can be helpful in killing the fungus that causes athlete's foot.
- Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) Share on Pinterest Studies suggest that tea tree oil may help to kill fungi. ...
- Garlic. ...
- Hydrogen peroxide with iodine. ...
- Hair dryer and talcum powder. ...
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
What disinfectant kills fungus?
Bleach can quickly kill fungus on nonporous surfaces, like shower tiles.
What cleaner kills fungus?
⭐ What disinfectant kills fungus? Lysol is considered to be the best anti-fungal spray.
Can athlete's foot spread in a bath?
common foot infections like athlete's foot or toenail fungus. They also spread throughout households from contact with bath mats, bathroom floors and other communal areas where people walk in their bare feet. Dr. Ben Dimichino and Dr.
How do you wash clothes with fungal infections?
Use hot water (140°F or 60°C) and your regular detergent for infected laundry. Lower temperatures will not kill the fungus and can transfer spores to other fabrics in the same load. For white cotton socks, you can use chlorine bleach along with hot water to disinfect the fabric.
How long can Athlete's foot live on surfaces?
It can survive for weeks on surfaces and is often found around public pools and in public shower and locker rooms. If you swim at a public pool or work out at a Gainesville area gym, you can reduce your risk of developing athlete's foot by wearing sandals or shower shoes at all times.
How do you prevent athlete's foot from spreading?
Allow the feet to breathe and air out as often as you can. Use an anti-fungal powder on your feet, especially when performing strenuous activities which cause perspiration. Never share towels, wear socks while inside your home, and wash your sheets in hot water to prevent the spread of athlete's foot to your partner.
Is athlete's foot contagious in bed?
Try to avoid brushing your foot against your partner's if you share the same bed. Wearing socks to bed can help prevent transmission of the fungus. Even if you avoid contact, your partner can still develop athlete's foot if you walk around the house barefoot.
Can bleach cure athlete's foot?
Bleach isn't a good method for treating or preventing toenail fungus. Bleach can burn the skin and shouldn't be applied (even in highly diluted amounts) unless a doctor recommends it. Fungus infections often require oral medications or specialized laser treatments. Even then, the infection can come back.
Is Lysol antifungal?
Spray the surface with an anti-fungal spray. According to the Lysol website, their disinfectant spray can kill 99.9% of fungi.
Is Pinesol an antifungal?
An anti-fungal disinfectant like Pine Sol helps kill any athlete's foot fungus left in the sock fibers. After soaking for a while, wash the socks as usual.
Does hydrogen peroxide work on athlete's foot?
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide can effectively kill the fungus on the surface level of the foot, as well as any surface bacteria that could cause an infection. Pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the affected area. Note that it may sting, and it should bubble, especially if you have open wounds.
What is the strongest treatment for athlete's foot?
Across the board, Lamisil was recommended by almost all the experts we spoke to as the best topical product for treating athlete's foot. Available in cream and gel form, it's a powerful, broad-spectrum antifungal that Maral K.
Can I soak my feet in hydrogen peroxide?
Soaking smelly feet
Luckily, they are no match for hydrogen peroxide. Prepare a foot soak with one part hydrogen peroxide to three parts warm water and let your aching feet relax. The same treatment will help protect against spreading athlete's foot fungus and even soften calluses and corns.
Do I need to throw away shoes after athlete's foot?
You do not have to throw away your shoes if you have athlete's foot unless they were worn without socks, have dirt in them, or you have another skin reaction to the material or color dyes.
Can you spray Lysol on toenail fungus?
Keep in mind that these remedies are not fully proven and may be insufficient when dealing with a toenail fungus infection. Rubbing alcohol and disinfectants, such as Lysol, will kill fungus on surfaces and in the laundry.
Can you spray Athletes foot Spray in shoes?
Method 1: Using Disinfectant Products
It would be best if you found a prestigious disinfectant, which usually comes with a “cure” label to handle the athlete's shoe. Then, you can spray disinfectant spray directly into the shoes.
Can Athletes foot live on fabric?
The fungus can live on towels, clothes, sheets and surfaces for months. You can keep from getting ringworm and stop an existing infection from spreading by: Changing your socks and underwear daily or more frequently if they become damp or soiled.