Sandals are ideal footwear for the warmer months as they are lightweight and allow air to circulate around the feet and toes. However, they can have an unpleasant smell. What should you do if your sandals stink?
Even the strongest odors can be eliminated, so don't take it as evidence that your sandals have seen better days. Discover tips and tricks on how to remove a sandal sweat smell in the following article!
Prevent sandal smell
While we offer a few ways to get the smell out of your sandals, the most effective method is to avoid it in the first place. If you follow these steps after each wear, you may want to clean your summer shoes less often!
Take care of your feet
Sandals are worn everywhere, from the sand to the swimming pool, and are sure to pick up unpleasant odors along the way. But no matter where you travel, unclean feet and sweat will inevitably make your shoes smell bad.
A good way to avoid foot odor is to prepare your feet for sandal season. This includes washing and drying them before putting them on. Also make sure your feet are completely dry before leaving the beach by rinsing them and patting them with a towel.
If you take good care of your feet, you should worry less about smelly sandals. Scrub them well in the shower and use baby powder or foot deodorant to keep moisture at bay.
Pay attention to the material of your sandals if your feet tend to sweat a lot. While synthetic, rubberized fabrics hold everything to the surface and increase the smell, leather is breathable and regulates moisture better.
Change sandals frequently
There may still be hope for your stinky sandals—after all, variety is the spice of life. If you wear sandals frequently, consider rotating pairs to prevent foot odor. Summer shoes should be aired instead of worn out. Get a pair of summer shoes for different occasions and change them often. Each pair only needs a day or two to air out and will feel like new again after wearing them.
Sandals stink of sweat: what to do?
This is how you can successfully remove the smell of sweat.
Use tea bags for leather sandals
Leather sandals can be deodorized using a tea bag. Tea absorbs moisture from the environment and has antifungal and antibacterial effects. Since black tea contains tannin, it effectively kills germs in shoes and sandals and eliminates unpleasant odors.
Place a few tea bags (2 – 3) in each sandal and store them in a closed shoebox for 12 to 24 hours to successfully eliminate odors. You must store the tea bags and summer shoes in a sealed container for this procedure to work. If the smell is still present after 12 to 24 hours, remove the tea bags.
If the smell persists even after this method, steep a few tea bags and place them inside the leather sandals, covering them with foil or a cloth. If necessary, you can also increase the amount of tea bags.
Sandals stink: ventilate and store them properly
Since bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, it is important to avoid contact with humidity andMinimize sweat. After deodorizing sandals, you should wait a few days before wearing them again.
There are a number of ways to safely store your leather sandals - just make sure they are stored in a cool and dry place. Here are some suggestions for where to store your leather sandals:
- near the entrance door
- in the cool shade of the terrace or balcony
- near a fan
- in the garage
DIY vinegar deodorant for smelly sandals
Your sandals can smell good again with this homemade spray. In a spray bottle, mix 150 ml of white vinegar with 150 ml of water. Make sure everything is well mixed by shaking or stirring. Spray the insides of the sandals thoroughly. You should let them dry afterwards.Your shoes smellthe next day like new!
What else you can do about smelly sandals
- Baby powder
Sprinkle some baby powder in your sandals to keep your feet dry during the day.
- Orange bowls
You can leave one or two orange peels in summer shoes overnight to help remove the smell of sweat.
- Water and soap
The insole can be cleaned with a little soap and water. Allow time for drying. Some sandals (for example rubber sandals, flip-flops and foam sandals) can also be washed in the washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle with a tiny amount of detergent and 200 ml of white vinegar and then dried in the sun.
- cedarwood oil and sandalwood oil
You can leave a pleasant scent if you add a drop of cedarwood essential oil and sandalwood oil to your sandals every day.
- Smelly wooden sandals
If wooden sandals smell bad but don't need a thorough cleaning, give them a quick scrub with a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and a toothbrush.
How to clean your sandal footbedfind out here.
