The more we wear our favorite pair of shoes, the more we may notice that they start to smell. Excessive use, sweat, peeling skin, dirt, bacteria, fungus and lack of ventilation can contribute to smelly shoes. Below are some ways to remove the bad smell. If your shoes stink, don't worry - just take care of your favorite pair of sneakers, boots or loafers!
Smelly shoes – possible causes
Body odor on your feet is caused by microbes on your skin that metabolize compounds in your sweat, creating unpleasant odors. If your sweat stays in your shoes, it can also leave an unpleasant smell. Feet in particular can smell due to a bacteria called Staphylococcus epidermidis, which breaks down an amino acid in sweat. The result is an undesirable, cheese-like smell that permeates the shoes and is difficult to get rid of.
The secret to how to remove smell from shoes is to solve the moisture problem. Many people simply try to combat the smell with a deodorizer spray, but that only masks the smell. By drying out the moisture, you can combat the odor at the source by killing the odor-causing bacteria. There are different ways to do this, so in this post we've put together a few different options for you. Use the method that you like best or that you can do with tools you already have at home.
Shoes stink – preventative methods
Wash feet with antibacterial soap
The main reason why shoes smell is the sweat from your feet. As your feet sweat and the moisture seeps into the material of the shoe, bacteria and fungi thrive in warm, moist conditions. Washing your feet frequently with antibacterial soap will kill bacteria and the associated odor.
Choose the right socks
Change your socks frequently for a fresh pair to reduce the buildup of odorous bacteria. When choosing your work socks, avoid cotton if possible, as it absorbs moisture (including sweat) rather than wicking it away from the skin. This will make them smell faster and keep your feet moist. Wool or bamboo socks are best for wicking away moisture.
Wash sports shoes to remove odors
Not all shoes can be washed in the washing machine, but fabric sneakers, for example, and rubber flip flops are suitable. If you are unsure, be sure to read the care and cleaning instructions. If your shoes have insoles, take them out and wash them separately to get everything as clean as possible. Just don't use hot water or put your shoes in the dryer. Extreme heat can shrink them or damage adhesives. Instead, use a long, warm wash and rinse cycle and air dry using newspaper to absorb the extra moisture.
Use baking soda to remove leather shoe smell
Place a few tablespoons of baking soda in the center of a coffee filter and add to tastea few drops of essential oilsadded. Turn the filter over and tie it with a rubber band. Then place a bag in each shoe overnight to absorb moisture and deodorize the shoes.
You can also make a simple shoe powder by adding a few drops of essential oilsadd a handful of baking powder. Mix well, pour the powder into the shoes in an even layer and leave it on overnight. Dispose of the baking soda the next morning and, if necessary, use the vacuum cleaner to suck out the remaining baking soda from the inside.
Shoes stink: Take some cotton balls
Put a few drops of essential oils on a few cotton balls, place them in your shoes and leave them overnight. Lemon oil and other citrus scents work well for this.
You can freeze your shoes
Your freezer can also help eliminate shoe smells. First place the shoes in a sealed freezer bag and place it in the freezer overnight.The odor-causing bacteriado not survive the low temperatures, so this is a simple and effective measure.
Cat litter for extremely smelly shoes
Fill your shoes with cat litter. This draws the moisture out of the sports shoes or leather shoes and, depending on the type of cat litter, neutralizes the smell.
DIY deodorizing spray with vinegar to eliminate the smell of sweat in your shoes
If your shoes can't be washed in the washing machine, you can easily make your own deodorizing spray. Simply mix 120ml water and 120mlwhite vinegar in a spray bottleand shake the bottle well. Apply a few sprays to the inside of your shoes and wipe with a cloth towel. Allow them to air dry before wearing them again.
Shoes stink: freshen them up with home remedies
You need unused tea bags. Put two or three tea bags in your shoes that smell unpleasant and leave them overnight. The tea bag absorbs the bad smell.
Keep shoes smelling fresh with dryer sheets
Take a regular dryer sheet, tear it in half and place one half in each shoe. Leave the dryer sheet on overnight. For really smelly trainers it may take longer.
