Tips against smelly shoes

What to do about smelly shoes?

After an intense day or a vigorous workout, your shoes may not smell so fresh anymore, in short you have smelly shoes. Getting sweat odor out of clothes is easy, but shoes are often forgotten, while it is just as important to also remove the sweat smell from your shoes. After all, no one wants to wear smelly sneakers or athletic shoes. Want to avoid this? Then apply one or more of the following 10 tips. With these practical tips & tricks, you will ensure that your shoes no longer smell like sweat.

Tip 1: Air your shoes

Do you easily suffer from smelly shoes? If so, it is important not to wear your shoes for more than a day at a time. Change shoes daily to allow the worn pairs to air out.

Preferably put your smelly shoes in sunlight, as sunlight kills bacteria and fungi that cause foul odors. Also remove the insole from your shoes to air and dry them separately.

Tip 2: Wash smelly shoes in the washing machine

Want to be more thorough? Then you can clean your smelly shoes in the washing machine. Note, however, that not all shoes can go in the washing machine. Shoes made of leather, suede or nubuck are not suitable for the washing machine, but athletic shoes made of synthetic material often are. Clean your stink shoes as follows:

• Cleaning with a brush: First remove dirt and sand with a brush. Stubborn stains are best tackled with a dry cloth and a little alcohol.
• Put in a laundry bag: Place your shoes in a laundry bag or pillowcase and seal it tightly.
• Wash with towels: Machine wash your shoes at up to 30 degrees, along with some towels to cushion the shock. Use a fine wash cycle to prevent your shoes from shrinking or discoloring.
• Drying shoes: Let your shoes dry at room temperature, not in the dryer or directly in the sun, to prevent discoloration and deformation.

Tip 3: Use Pedifris® Classic

Pedifris® Classic is an ideal product to combat sweat odors. Sprinkle a little Pedifris® Classic into your smelly shoes and leave it overnight. The powder kills bacteria and removes foul odors. Suck the powder out of your shoes the next morning and enjoy the fresh scent.

Tip 4: Put vinegar in your smelly shoes

Although vinegar itself does not smell good, it is an effective remedy for removing sweat smell from your shoes. Mix a few tablespoons of vinegar with some dish soap and water. The dish soap neutralizes the vinegar smell. Dip two cloths in this mixture, wring them out and put them in your shoes. Leave your smelly shoes overnight and you will notice that the foul smell is gone.

Tip 5: Put coffee pods, tea bags or rice in your shoes

A simple solution to stinky shoes is to use coffee pods, tea bags or uncooked rice. These items absorb moisture and neutralize odors. Leave your shoes overnight with these items in them and the next day the sweat odor will be gone. Coffee pods also have the added benefit of masking foul odors.

Tip 6: Use cat litter

Cat litter works the same way as coffee pods: it absorbs moisture and removes foul odors. Sprinkle some cat litter in your smelly sneakers, leave it overnight and the sweat smell will be gone the next day.

Tip 7: Put a coffee filter with washing powder in your shoes

For a pleasant scent, place a coffee filter filled with washing powder inside your shoes. The coffee filter absorbs moisture, while the washing powder leaves a fresh scent. Leave your shoes overnight and they will smell like new the next day.

Tip 8: Put smelly shoes in the freezer

Bacteria and fungi that cause foul odors do not survive at low temperatures. Therefore, place your smelly shoes in the freezer overnight. Place each shoe in a separate plastic bag and tie it tightly. The next day, remove your shoes from the freezer, let them come to room temperature, and enjoy odor-free shoes. Be careful not to put your shoes on the heater to thaw them, as this may cause deformation.

Tip 9: Reduce perspiration with Pedispray

To prevent your shoes from re-stinking quickly, you can use Pedispray. This spray helps reduce excessive sweating from your feet, keeping your shoes dry and reducing the chance of stink. Spray daily on your feet before putting on your shoes for best results.

Tip 10: Use special insoles and Pedifris® Classic

Use special insoles for smelly feet, combined with Pedifris® Classic. These products help kill bacteria and remove odors. Replace your insoles regularly, two to three times a month, to prevent sweat odors. Preferably choose leather insoles because leather is less susceptible to sweat.

If these tips do not help you get rid of your smelly shoes, it may be time to consider purchasing a new pair of shoes.

Preventing stinky shoes

It is always better to prevent than to have to cure, and that is especially true for shoes that smell like sweat. With a few simple adjustments, you can ensure that you no longer have to think about what to do about smelly shoes.

The main cause of stinky shoes is sweat, so preventing sweaty feet is essential. A good way to do this is to invest in quality shoes that ventilate well and are made of leather. Leather shoes allow your feet to breathe, making them less likely to sweat. This helps prevent your sneakers and athletic shoes from smelling unpleasant.

In addition, wearing socks made of wool or cotton is an effective way to prevent sweat odor in your shoes. These natural materials absorb moisture well, which helps avoid unwanted odors. Also, be sure to dry your feet well after showering, especially between the toes, as this is where bacteria can grow that cause sweat odor.

With these simple measures, you can prevent stinky shoes and make nasty odors a thing of the past!

^{source: Peek & kloppenburg}