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1. Reasons Behind Smelly Shoes
Ever wondered what causes the unpleasant odor in shoes? Here are some primary reasons:
Excessive sweating combined with heat leads to sweaty feet, creating moisture inside the shoes and causing unpleasant odors.
Infrequent shoe hygiene or the habit of not washing socks contributes to smelly shoes.
Poor-quality shoe material and non-breathable shoe designs contribute to increased foot sweat.
Lack of daily foot hygiene also results in the occurrence of shoe odor.
Wearing the same pair of shoes continuously for an extended period causes feet to be trapped and results in increased foot sweat.
2. Handy Tips to Effectively Tackle Shoe Odor
2.1. Regularly Wash Your Shoes
To prevent unpleasant odors in shoes, make it a habit to clean your shoes monthly. For those with busy schedules, consider taking your shoes to professional cleaning services for a quicker solution.
2.2. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda has long been known as a versatile ingredient, not only in the kitchen but also for effectively eliminating unpleasant odors in shoes. Here's how to use it:
Step 1: Sprinkle 3 - 4 tablespoons of baking soda directly into the shoes and leave it overnight.
Step 2: Remove the remaining powder before wearing the shoes.
2.3. Sun-Dry to Prevent Shoe Odors
You can directly expose your shoes to sunlight to eliminate odors and prevent the growth of bacteria or mold. However, limit sun exposure to 15 - 20 minutes to avoid damaging the shoes.
2.4. Regularly Replace Shoe Insoles
Dirty insoles contribute to unpleasant odors in your shoes. To prevent unwanted smells, make sure to replace your insoles regularly.
Additionally, choose quality insoles made from materials like cotton or with a hint of cinnamon fragrance to minimize odors more effectively.
2.5. Eliminate Shoe Odors with Tea Leaves
Tea leaves have excellent odor-absorbing properties, thanks to the presence of tannins. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Steep two tea bags in boiling water, then remove and let them cool.
Step 2: Place a tea bag in each shoe and let them sit for about 2 hours to absorb odors. Finally, wipe the shoes with a dry cloth.
2.6. Use Baby Powder
You can also use children's baby powder to eliminate shoe odors by sprinkling it directly into the shoes before wearing. If you tend to have sweaty feet, apply powder to the soles before putting on your shoes.
2.7. Combat Shoe Odors with White Vinegar
To eliminate shoe odors, you can also try using white vinegar to wipe the entire inside of the shoes. Allow the shoes to fully dry before wearing them.
2.8. Fresh Lime for Effective Shoe Odor Removal
In addition to the above ingredients, you can use fresh lime to effectively remove shoe odors. Check out the steps below:
Step 1: Prepare a few lemons and 2 sheets of newspaper
Step 2: Squeeze lemon juice and soak the newspaper in lemon juice, then place it in the shoes. Leave it overnight and remove the newspaper the next morning for normal use
2.9. Used Coffee Grounds
You can also utilize used coffee grounds to eliminate shoe odors with the following instructions:
First, place coffee grounds in the freezer to dry. Then, sprinkle the coffee grounds inside the shoes for a few hours to absorb the odor. Finally, remove the coffee grounds and wipe the shoes dry before use
2.10. Use Tamarind
Tamarind is an ingredient with effective antibacterial and antifungal properties often used in traditional medicine. To eliminate shoe odors, you can also use this ingredient following the instructions below:
Step 1: Crush tamarind into powder and heat until it turns into a fine powder.
After that, grind the tamarind powder and sprinkle it into the shoes to eliminate the daily shoe odor.
2.11. Infuse Shoes with Essential Oils
Add a few drops of aromatic essential oils such as lavender, citrus, tea tree, or cinnamon directly inside the shoes to create a pleasant fragrance. This method is quite effective, so give it a try!
2.12. Odor Control with Rock Salt
For fabric sports shoes that tend to develop unpleasant odors, especially in hot weather, try sprinkling a bit of salt into the shoes to prevent sweat odor.
2.13. Use Odor-Neutralizing Solutions
Currently, there are numerous types of shoe deodorant sprays available in the market, and you can use them daily with ease and effectiveness. However, choose a deodorant spray that suits each type of shoe for optimal results.
2.14. Odor Elimination with Alcohol
Alcohol, being primarily composed of ethanol, not only reduces odors but also effectively disinfects shoes. Simply rub alcohol directly on the shoes to minimize unpleasant smells.
2.15. Cat Litter for Hygiene
It may sound strange, but cat litter has the ability to effectively eliminate shoe odors. Place a little cat litter in a sock and put it inside the shoes. By the next morning, all odors will vanish.
Here are 15 effective ways to combat shoe odors with the most readily available ingredients. We hope these tips will help you regain confidence in your daily interactions. Thank you for following the article.
