There is a big chance that you will get smelly shoes after a hard workout in summer. In contrast to a healthy run, taking off your sweaty running shoes can be quite a downer. Luckily, if your sneakers smell, you can do something yourself and get rid of the smell by following simple steps with home remedies. Here are some tips and instructions that will help you keep your athletic shoes fresh, odor-free and ready for use.
Eliminate bad odors and make smelly shoes smell good again
Everyone who every now and then orexercise regularly, have a favorite pair of sneakers, but they often emit unpleasant odors. But sweat itself is not the cause of these smells. The smell that comes from your running shoes is actually from bacteria. It is caused by the chemical process of bacteria on the skin that break down acids such as methanethiol, isovaleric acid and propanoic acid as waste products in sweat. Although the sweat glands in the armpits are different than those in the feet, the process of breaking down these acids is the same and can also leave behind an off-putting odor.
Aside from the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet contain the largest concentration of sweat glands, with each foot containing 600 to 700 per square centimeter. In total, the human body has between 1.6 and 5 million sweat glands. So it's no wonder all the sweat and bacteria stay trapped in sneakers and socks when they're left unwashed day after day. Hence feet, socks and othersWash sportswear regularlyand disinfect. Although there are a variety of products and tactics to keep these odors under control, many people don't pay nearly enough attention to their shoes. So here are someeffective methodsto combat the responsible bacteria in smelly running shoes.
Baking soda for shoe odor
If you want to remove the bad smells from your sneakers with a home remedy, you can use baking soda. This is a naturally acting odor neutralizing agent that absorbs the smell from the bacteria. There are two different ways to use baking soda odor neutralizer. For example, mix ¼ cup baking soda and ½ cup cornstarch.
Add the mixture to a pair of cotton socks or sprinkle the powder into both shoes. Then leave the stuff in the pair of shoes to work overnight. For an additional scent booster, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Alternatively, if you want to keep it simple, sprinkle baking soda directly into the shoes and let it sit for at least 24 hours.
Using vinegar for smelly shoes
Vinegar is just as effective at neutralizing unpleasant odors and fighting bacteria in shoes. Simply mix equal parts white vinegar with water in a spray bottle. After use, spray the solution into your running shoes and allow them to dry. Doing this to your trainers after every run will keep them smelling fresher for longer. To maximize effectiveness, thoroughly clean your shoes inside and out before applying the solution.
Allow laundry soap to work in shoes
Another trick for smelly shoes to remove odors is to put a bar of soap in each shoe and leave it overnight. The laundry soap kills bacteria and the smell they produce. Plus, soap is porous, so it absorbs the odor and replaces it with a clean, soapy scent. However, make sure to place the soap bars in the shoes dry and not to leave them wet, as moisture only encourages further culprits in the form of bacteria. You can simply chop up the soap and put it in small breathable bags. Additionally, this is a sustainable way to reuse old soaps.
Let smelly shoes dry in the sun
As already mentioned, excess moisture in shoes is a risk factor for odor development. So letting sweaty trainers dry in the sunshine is a simple and effective way to rid them of odor. To do this, place your sneakers or sneakers in direct sunlight for a few hours after training so that they can dry completely before wearing them again.
Wear socks when exercising
Putting on your sneakers and exercising without socks can be a surefire way to get smelly shoes. In addition, sports socks designed for this purpose absorb sweat and moisture produced by warm feet. This is especially important if you are prone to sweaty feet. So consider a pair of cotton socks. This means you are wearing a breathable and absorbent material that helps keep your shoes permanently odor-free.
How you can neutralize odor with essential oils
Tea tree, clove, and cedarwood essential oils are all popular natural odor neutralizers with antifungal properties. For example, a study published in December 2007 in "Mycobiology" found that clove essential oil strongly inhibited bacterial growth on the feet to eliminate odor. In addition, such products have a triple effect as home remedies: they fight bacteria, eliminate odors and leave a pleasant scent. Simply add a few drops of essential oil directly to your sneaker and let it air out. Alternatively, you can combine essential oils with other home remedies such as the baking soda or vinegar mentioned above.
More tips and tricks against smelly shoes
It is important to take extra care when cleaning your feet. Make sure to apply soap or cleanser between each toe and over the sole of the foot and rinse well. Here are a few tips on foot hygiene to combat shoe odor:
- Only wear socks oncebetween washes.
- Change your socks and shoes immediately after exercise to avoid trapping unnecessary odors in them.
- When you're finished cleaning your feet, be sure to dry them completely. Any moisture left on your feet encourages bacterial growth.
- Allow your feet to breathe by not wearing anything if you can. This helps ventilate sweat without spreading bacteria.
- Check the insoles. If you've been wearing the same insoles for years, it's probably time to replace them. Insoles are often the source of smelly shoes. You may find that a new pair of insoles effectively eliminates that stubborn odor.
