Smelly shoes are a problem that we all know. Especially when playing sports or when your feet spend too long in closed shoes on warm days, they start to sweat, which causes the shoes to stink. This is caused by bacteria that are contained in sweat and that multiply wonderfully in the warm, humid climate of our shoes. Since you can't just wash every shoe and you don't want to keep buying new shoes, another solution is needed. Find out now what options there are and how you can prevent unpleasant smells in shoes.
Why do our shoes stink?
One thing is clear: it is not due to a lack of hygiene! The main cause of odors are odor-producing bacteria that develop in damp shoes and multiply rapidly due to the perfect climate. When the bacteria then come into contact with air, it starts to smell unpleasant.
Smelly shoes: what can you do?
There are a number of things you can do to stop your shoes from giving off an unpleasant smell. The following tips and home remedies will help you fight smelly shoes. And the best thing is: you don't need synthetic shoe deodorants that are harmful to the environment!
1. Change shoes regularly
If you tend to have sweaty feet, it is advisable to change your closed shoes every day. This is the only way the remaining moisture can completely evaporate. That is why it is best to air out your sweaty shoes completely and then let them dry. It is also a good idea to remove the insoles. They also need to be aired out and dried before they start to smell. It is also advisable to replace the insoles with new ones at certain intervals.
2. Clean smelly shoes in the washing machine
The simplest way to combat shoe odor is to wash your shoes in the washing machine. However, there are a few things to consider. Some shoes cannot be washed in the washing machine due to their material. For example, leather shoes cannot be washed wet at all. For fabric shoes, however, cleaning in the washing machine is no problem. But it is better to be safe than sorry: it is safer to take a look at the manufacturer's label beforehand to see whether the shoes to be cleaned are machine washable.
Furthermore, you should avoid using fabric softener when washing shoes. In the worst case, this could remove the glue from the shoes. Conventional detergent is also not suitable for washing smelly fabric shoes. It is not able to kill the bacteria and can even make the unpleasant smell of the shoes worse. For this reason, it is advantageous to use a special hygiene detergent when washing shoes. It cleans textiles even at low temperatures and, thanks to its ingredients, effectively kills odor-causing bacteria.
After washing, it is important that the shoes are dried properly. If they remain damp inside, new bacteria can form and the whole smelly dilemma starts all over again. A good tip that our grandmothers used is to stuff the shoes with newspaper. Then you should take them out into the fresh air to dry in a shady spot. Important: Please never try to dry your shoes in the sun or near radiators. Whether they are made of fabric or leather, they cannot tolerate heat at all!
3. Remove unpleasant odors from smelly shoes in the freezer
As already mentioned, bacteria multiply extremely quickly in a warm, humid climate. So it's not surprising that most types of bacteria can't stand the cold at all. So put them in the freezer! To do this, you should pack your smelly shoes in an airtight freezer bag and put them in the freezer for at least 24 hours. This trick also works on cold winter days. Simply put the shoes on the balcony or terrace overnight. The next morning, the bad smells should be a thing of the past.
4. Combat bad shoe odor with shoe odor neutralizer
Anti-shoe odor sprays like theTextile & Shoe Odour Neutraliser by Emma Grünare sprayed into the shoes. They work differently than conventional shoe deodorant sprays, which only mask the stench with their synthetic scent. Odor neutralizers/shoes disinfect the shoe and tackle the problem at the root. With their sustainable and highly effective ingredients, they kill the odor-causing bacteria and at the same time ensure a pleasant smell with natural fragrances. Did you know that conventional shoe odor removers contain harmful aluminum chloride? It irritates the skin and can even cause allergies.
Your shoes stink to high heaven: These home remedies will help!
Even our grandmothers knew it: There is a suitable home remedy for every problem. This also applies to combating unpleasant shoe odor.
Baking powder & baking soda:
Baking powder and baking soda are proven all-rounders when it comes to household remedies. The two natural propellants also work wonders on smelly shoes. They have the property of being able to bind moisture perfectly. Accordingly, they are able to absorb bad smells and nip them in the bud. Here's how to do it:
- Spread a tablespoon of baking powder or baking soda into the shoes and leave for 24 hours.
- Then vacuum out the powder.
Good to know: baby powder or cinnamon sticks have the same effect!
Coffee:
Coffee has the ability to neutralize odors and eliminate them effectively. To make your shoes smell good again, you don't need to use fresh powder, but rather coffee grounds, which you must let dry well beforehand. Here's how to do it:
- First line your shoes with kitchen paper. This will prevent discoloration.
- Sprinkle coffee powder into the shoes and leave it for a few hours.
- Then vacuum out the powder.
Cat litter:
Just like baking soda or baking powder, cat litter absorbs moisture and thus acts as a shoe odor remover. The procedure for combating odor works the same as with the home remedies mentioned above. However, it is a good idea to leave the cat litter in the shoes for a little longer. Two days is sufficient, however. Alternatively, you can also fill the cat litter into a cloth bag and put it in your shoes.
Lemon peels:
Citrus fruits contain essential oils and act like a natural odor spray. To do this, place the peels in your smelly shoes overnight. The next morning, the bad smells will have disappeared and your shoes will give off a fresh citrus scent.
Prevent shoe odor: How to avoid unpleasant smells in shoes!
Instead of fighting unpleasant smells in shoes, it is always better to prevent them from occurring in the first place. There are a few ways to do this. The following tips will effectively prevent smelly shoes.
The right material:
When buying shoes, make sure that the shoe material is free of synthetic fibers that can prevent your feet from breathing. Shoes made of natural materials such as leather are breathable and reduce unpleasant sweat odors in advance. The same applies to socks. Shoes made of cotton or other natural materials are better than synthetic ones.
Air out shoes & let them dry thoroughly:
To prevent odors, you should always let your shoes air out in the fresh air after wearing them. This is particularly advisable on hot days or after sporting activities when your feet have sweated and released moisture into the shoes. The same applies to shoes that have become wet due to external weather influences such as slush and rain. Simply stuff them with kitchen paper as already mentioned and let them air dry in the shade. Good tip:The Emma Green shoe spray against odor in shoes and textileshas an antibacterial effect. Simply pump a few times into your shoes and unpleasant odors won't develop so quickly.
Use special insoles:
Insoles with cinnamon, cedar wood or activated charcoal also protect against unpleasant odors. They also have an antibacterial effect, absorb sweat from the soles and thus prevent your shoes from starting to smell. If they lose their effectiveness after a while, you can replace them.
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