By Oluwatosin Maliki
As humans, we perspire, especially during the hot season, and this is natural as it helps our bodies cool off.
Have you ever been embarrassed because of the odor that emanates from your shoes?
Imagine a situation where a colleague in your office drops a pen on the floor close to your desk and while picking it up, is met with an unexpected smell, and tells you it’s like a rat died under your desk. Yes, I know it’s embarrassing, right!
But don’t worry; we have you covered. With these hacks, you will be able to wear all your shoes confidently without feeling any shame.
Here are the 10 hacks to help you get rid of that unpleasant odor:
Wash and Exfoliate Your Feet to Prevent Stinky Shoes:
Stinky shoes often start with stinky feet, so practicing good foot hygiene can help keep foot odor at bay. Wash your feet daily with warm soapy water, even if you don’t shower or bathe daily. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel, paying attention to the spaces between your toes where bacteria tend to hide.
Exfoliating your feet can help remove dead skin and reduce foot odor. You can use an exfoliating pad, pumice stone, or exfoliating shower wipe.
Remember that bacteria thrive in moist conditions, so keeping your feet dry is crucial. Ensure your socks and shoes are not damp, as this creates an ideal environment for odor-causing bacteria to thrive.
Stop Sweaty Feet to Prevent Stinky Shoes:
If you often have sweaty feet, focus on reducing excessive sweating. Consider using antiperspirant lotions designed to reduce foot sweat. Keep in mind that your feet contain more sweat glands than any other part of your body. Reducing foot sweating can significantly decrease the associated odor.
Use Shoe Deodorizer Spray:
A shoe deodorizer spray is an excellent way to eliminate odors from your shoes. Look for a deodorizer that can be applied to both your feet and shoes for maximum effectiveness. This quick and effective remedy is perfect for active individuals, sports enthusiasts, and students after gym class. The fresh-smelling spray will instantly improve the smell of your feet and shoes.
It also provides natural anti-fungal protection and can be used on all types of footwear, including shoes, sandals, and slippers.
Opt for Breathable Shoes:
Choosing the right shoes is one of the most effective remedies for preventing stinky feet. Select shoes made from leather or breathable fabrics that allow moisture to dissipate.
Avoid non-breathable materials like vinyl, as they trap moisture and contribute to unpleasant odors.
Alternate Your Shoes for Proper Aeration:
Reducing shoe odor can be as simple as not wearing the same pair of shoes on consecutive days. Ensure you have at least two pairs of shoes and alternate between them to allow adequate time for each pair to air out.
On days when your shoes are not in use, loosen the laces and place them in a well-ventilated area, preferably in the sun.
Use Shoe Insoles to Combat Foot Odor:
Specially treated insoles can effectively minimize shoe odor. Look for insoles treated with activated charcoal or baking soda, which can neutralize unpleasant odors.
These insoles provide long-lasting odor protection, typically lasting for several weeks or even months, and can also absorb foot moisture while offering additional footbed cushioning.
Sprinkle Baking Soda Inside Your Shoes:
Baking soda is another effective home remedy for combating shoe odor.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda inside your smelly shoes and leave it overnight.
In the morning, empty the shoes, and you’ll notice a significant improvement in odor. Be cautious when using baking soda with leather shoes, as it can extract moisture and cause them to dry out and crack.
Keep Shoes Fresh with Dryer Sheets:
Using dryer sheets is an unconventional yet effective way to freshen up stinky shoes. Tear a standard dryer sheet in half and place one half in each shoe. Allow the shoes to sit overnight, or longer for extremely foul-smelling sports shoes. Remember to remove the dryer sheets before wearing the shoes.
Deodorize Shoes with Wood Chips:
If your shoes are attracting attention due to their bad odor, consider this hack using cedar wood chips and clean old socks or paper towels. Fill a pair of clean, old socks with cedar wood chips and place one sock in each shoe. Let them stand overnight to allow the wood chips to absorb the foot odor. Citrus peels can also effectively refresh your shoes.
Clean Shoes with Rubbing Alcohol:
Rubbing alcohol can be used to kill odor-causing bacteria and clean your shoes, and there are two methods to do so. Mix equal parts of water and rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and spray the solution inside and outside of each shoe. Allow the treated shoes to dry in a well-ventilated area.
Alternatively, saturate several cotton balls with rubbing alcohol and place them inside each shoe. Ensure the cotton balls reach down into the toe area and leave the shoes overnight for a fresher smell in the morning.
By following these 10 hacks, you can say goodbye to unpleasant shoe odors and confidently wear your shoes without any embarrassment.