Smelly sports shoes, what can you do about it?

But before we dive into the details, let's take a look at how smelly sports shoes develop, what the symptoms are, the cause and, more importantly, what you can do about it.

How do smelly sports shoes develop?

Smelly sports shoes are a result of dirt, sweat and bacteria accumulating in your shoe. If the conditions are right – warm, humid and dark – these things create a smelly shoe. Wearing the same shoes without proper ventilation or cleaning can result in this unpleasant problem.

What do you notice with smelly sports shoes?

• A strong, unpleasant odour as soon as you take off your sports shoes.
• Visible sweat stains on the inside or outside of your shoe.
• Growth of bacteria or fungus in your shoes.
• Uncomfortable or potentially harmful for your feet as it creates an environment for foot problems such as athlete's foot and foot fungus.

What is the cause of smelly sports shoes?

Sweat, bacteria and poor ventilation create the ideal mix for unpleasant odours in your sports shoes. Below is a brief overview of some factors that cause your shoes to smell:

• Excessive sweating: This is the main culprit. When we exercise, our feet sweat. This sweat remains in the shoes, creating the perfect environment for bacterial growth.
• Fungi and bacteria: Certain microorganisms thrive in warm, humid environments – exactly like in a sweaty sports shoe.
• Poor ventilation: Many sports shoes are designed to be as light as possible, which means they often lack sufficient ventilation.

Suffering from smelly shoes?

PediFris® removes unpleasant odours and reduces perspiration.

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PediFris® Classic

Fights odour and excessive sweating.

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PediFris® Classic 3-pack

Foot and shoe powder against odour and sweating. Value 3-pack.

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What to do about smelly sports shoes?

Fortunately, you don't have to exert yourself greatly to get rid of that unpleasant smell. There are plenty of solutions, from home remedies to professional products for smelly sports shoes. Here are a few suggestions:

• Dry your shoes well: This helps remove excess moisture and thus reduce bacterial growth. Do this at room temperature. Do not place them in front of or on the heater as this will completely dry out the shoes and may damage them.
• Keep clean: Clean your shoes regularly with water and a mild soap to remove dirt and bacteria.
• Use shoe powder: Products like PediFris Classic® are specially developed to combat bacteria and fungi that cause odour.
• Use a shoe deodorant: Products like PediSpray® are perfect for reducing excessive sweating.

Suffering from sweaty feet?

PediSpray® reduces perspiration immediately and prevents foot odour.

Step out of your shoes carefree!

PediSpray® Strong

Means against excessive sweating.

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PediSpray® Strong 3-pack

Extra strong foot spray. Value 3-pack.

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PediSpray® Regular

Means against excessive sweating.

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PediSpray® Regular 3-pack

Foot spray against sweating. Value 3-pack.

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