Our feet sweat a lot, not only in the warm summer months, but also during all kinds of sporting activities. In addition, the (wrong) materials in the shoes can contribute to the formation of odors. But what can you do if your shoes smell? star tells you simple tricks.
If our feet (and therefore our shoes) smell bad, it is not a sign of poor hygiene. In fact, it is the special bacteria in human sweat that are to blame for our smell. And these feel particularly comfortable in moist and warm environments – such as the inside of our shoes. When we take off our sweaty shoes, the bacteria react with the air. This creates the unpleasant smells. Unfortunately, these linger stubbornly in the shoes when worn regularly, so they have to be treated every now and then. Below we have summarized the (home) remedies that help to minimize the smell.
Quick help against odors: shoe sprays & powders
In many drugstores and online you can buy special shoe sprays to eliminate bad smells. They are sprayed directly into the shoes and cover the smell with pleasant scents – but they do not eliminate the cause. For this reason, it can be a good idea to spray your shoes with a to be treated regularly, as they also fight bacteria (and fungi).
Alternatively, there is also microbiological against foot odor, which consists of 99 percent natural ingredients and – according to the manufacturer – should last up to six months. Or you can use special with natural activated carbon, which is placed in the shoes and is supposed to absorb and neutralize unpleasant odors. According to the manufacturer, these last up to a year.
There are also special that reduce bad smells. However, you should use these with caution, as they can sometimes contain harmful ingredients such as skin irritants. Be sure to pay attention to the ingredients and choose a brand .
Another tip: With a you get up to 50 percent discount on new items in the online shop.
Shoes stink: What to do? The best home remedies
To banish bad smells from worn shoes, you can use tried and tested home remedies – such as:
Baking powder (or baking soda)
If your sneakers smell, you can use a packet of baking powder (alternatively a teaspoon ) into the shoes. Leave the household remedy to work overnight to absorb the moisture and remove the powder the next morning – ideally with a hand-held vacuum cleaner. Or you can first put the baking powder into an old nylon sock and then tie it up. This saves you the hassle of removing it afterwards.
Citrus fruits
The peels of citrus fruits are also said to help neutralize bad smells in shoes. The essential oils they contain work by placing the peels on the smelly insoles overnight. This trick is said to work with all citrus fruits, so it doesn’t matter if you use a lemon or orange, lime or grapefruit.
Coffee
As is often the case, coffee is a popular household remedy – and this is also the case when it comes to eliminating unpleasant odors. Its strong aroma is said to make it easy to neutralize the stench in shoes. Simply put some coffee powder (dried) on the insoles and leave it to work overnight. But be careful: coffee can discolor the soles, so it is a good idea to first put the powder in a thin cloth bag or nylon stockings and seal it.
Extra tip: Put your smelly shoes in the freezer for 24 hours. The odor-causing bacteria cannot tolerate such cold temperatures. However, it is advisable to put the shoes in a freezer bag beforehand.
Hygiene tips: How to avoid smelly shoes
To prevent bad smells from spreading in your shoes, you can take a few preventative measures:
- Wear a fresh pair of socks every day.
- Allow worn shoes to dry in the fresh air.
- When buying shoes, look for breathable materials.
- Use that you exchange regularly.
- Change your shoes regularly so that they have enough time to air out.
- Clean insensitive shoes (e.g. sneakers) in the washing machine.
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Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
