Smelly shoes are a problem that we all know. Especially when doing sports or if your feet spend too long in closed shoes on warm days, they start to sweat and the shoes start to smell. This is due to bacteria that are contained in sweat and also 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, you have to find another solution. You can now find out what options there are and how to prevent unpleasant odors in shoes.
Why do our shoes stink?
One thing in advance: It's not due to a lack of hygiene! The main cause of odors are odor-forming bacteria that develop in damp shoes and multiply rapidly due to the perfect climate. If the bacteria then come into contact with air, it starts to smell unpleasant.
Smelly shoes: what to do?
There are a number of things you can do to ensure that your shoes no longer give off an unpleasant odor. The following tips and home remedies declare war on smelly shoes. And the best thing is: You don't need synthetic shoe deodorants, which pollute the environment!
1. Change shoes regularly
If you tend to sweaty feet, it is advisable to change your closed shoes every day. Only then can the remaining moisture evaporate completely. That's why it's best to completely air out your sweaty shoes and then let them dry. It also makes sense to remove the insoles. They too should be aired and dried before they start to stink. It is also advisable to replace the insoles with new ones at certain intervals.
2. Clean smelly shoes in the washing machine
The easiest way to prevent shoe odor is to wash it in the machine. However, there are a few things to consider here. Some shoes cannot be washed in the washing machine due to their material. Leather shoes do not tolerate wet cleaning at all. For cloth shoes, on the other hand, cleaning in the machine is not a problem. But it is better to be safe than sorry: It is safer to take a look at the manufacturer's label in advance to see whether the shoes to be cleaned are machine-washable.
You also have to do without fabric softener when washing your shoes. In the worst case, this could detach the glue from the shoes. Even conventional detergent is not suitable for washing smelly cloth shoes. It is not able to kill the bacteria and can even increase the unpleasant odor of the shoes. For this reason, it is advantageous to use a special hygiene detergent when washing shoes. It cleans textiles even at low temperatures and effectively kills odor-causing bacteria thanks to its ingredients.
After washing, it is important that the shoes dry properly. Because if they stay moist inside, new bacteria can form and the whole foul-smelling dilemma starts all over again. A good tip that our grandmothers used is to stuff your shoes with newspaper. You should then take them out into the fresh air to a shady spot to dry. Important: Please never try to dry your shoes in the sun or near radiators. It doesn't matter whether it's fabric or leather shoes: they don't 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. It is therefore not surprising that most species do not tolerate cold at all. So off with them in the freezer! For this you should pack your smelly shoes airtight in a 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 bad smells should be a thing of the past the next morning.
4. Fight bad shoe odor with shoe odor neutralizer
Anti-shoe odor sprays such as Emma Grün's textile and shoe odor neutralizer are sprayed into the shoes. They work differently than conventional shoe deodorant sprays, which only cover the stench with their synthetic scent. Odor neutralizers/shoes disinfect the shoe and get to the root of the problem. With their sustainable and highly effective ingredients, they kill the odor 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 odors.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda:
Baking powder and baking soda are proven all-rounders when it comes to home remedies. The two natural blowing agents also work wonders on smelly shoes. They have the property that they can bind moisture perfectly. Accordingly, they are able to absorb bad smells and nip them in the bud. And this is how you do it:
- Spread a tablespoon of baking soda or baking soda in the shoes and leave on for 24 hours.
- Then suck out the powder with a vacuum cleaner.
Good to know: Baby powder or cinnamon sticks have the same effect!
Coffee:
Coffee has the ability to neutralize and effectively eliminate odors. In order for your shoes to smell pleasant again, you don't have to use fresh powder, but coffee grounds, which you have to let dry well in advance. You proceed as follows:
- First line the shoes with kitchen paper. This way you prevent discolouration.
- Sprinkle coffee powder in the shoes and leave for a few hours.
- Then vacuum out the powder.
Cat litter:
Like baking soda or baking soda, cat litter absorbs moisture and acts as a shoe odor remover. The procedure for odor control works the same as with the previously mentioned home remedies. However, it makes sense to leave the cat litter in the shoes a little longer. However, two days are sufficient. Alternatively, you can also put the cat litter in a cloth bag and put it in your shoes.
lemon peels:
Citrus fruits have essential oils and act like a natural scent spray. To do this, place the bowls in your smelly shoes overnight. The bad smells are gone by the next morning and your shoes exude a fresh citrus scent.
Prevent shoe odor: How to avoid unpleasant odors in shoes!
Instead of fighting unfavorable odors in shoes, it is always better that they do not develop in the first place. There are a few ways you can do this as well. The following tips effectively avoid smelly shoes.
The right stuff:
When buying shoes, make sure that the shoe material is free of synthetic fibers that take the air out of your feet. Shoes made of natural materials such as leather are breathable and reduce the unpleasant smell of sweat in advance. The same goes for socks too. Cotton or other natural materials are better than synthetic ones.
Air out shoes and let them dry well:
To prevent odors from forming, you should always let your shoes air out in the fresh air after wearing them. This is particularly advisable on hot days or after sports 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 conditions such as slush and rain. As already mentioned, simply stuff with kitchen paper and let air dry in the shade. Good tip: The Emma Grün shoe spray against odors in shoes and textiles has an antibacterial effect. Simply put a few pumps in your shoes and unpleasant odors cannot develop so quickly.
Use special insoles:
Insoles with cinnamon, cedar wood or activated charcoal also protect against unpleasant odours. They also have an antibacterial effect, absorb the sweat in the soles and thus prevent your shoes from starting to stink. If they lose their effect after a while, you can replace them.