Most active people and exercisers do encounter this problem some time or the other with their shoes. However, some people tend to suffer from this problem more than others. To tackle this problem, here are some measures you need to take for removing the bad odor from your shoes and keeping them fresh all the time, so you no longer are embarrassed by the stinky odor.
Examine Your Shoes
Now let's see how you can make your shoes fresher. The first intervention is to examine them and detect the root cause of the odor. For example, if the insoles are damp and wet, you could remove and dry them in the open air. Better still, exchange them with special insoles that stop bacterial growth, which are available in the market. If you have 2 pairs of insoles, you can swap them at regular intervals, to keep away the stinky odor.
Products that Help Getting Rid of Odor
There are many products in the market that can be used to remove the bad odor and keep your shoes smelling fresh and fragrant; the Gran's Remedy is a good example. However, if you can't afford products like these, you can simply use baking soda. Sprinkle some soda into the shoes and leave it overnight to soak up the odors. Baking soda is a deodorizer and keeps the stink out of your shoes.
These days, shoe perfumes are available in the market which can effectively be used to ward off the stink. Another trick is to sprinkle some talcum powder in your socks before wearing them. This will prevent sweating of your feet as well as keeping your shoes smelling good.
Keep Alternating Between Two Pairs of Shoes
Using one pair of shoes can exaggerate the stinky odor. For this reason, it is a good idea to purchase at least two pairs of shoes and keep alternating between the two; this gives your shoes the opportunity to breathe and prevents the stinky odor from building up. If you exercise regularly, having multiple sets of workout shoes can help prevent discomfort or even injury.
Wear Cotton Socks
Don't ever wear your shoes without putting on the socks first. Wearing shoes without socks increases the likelihood of the sweat being soaked into the shoes, hence promoting bacterial growth. Cotton is the best option when it comes to socks. Therefore, when buying socks, you need to look at the label and check what is the percentage of cotton in a given socks. At least 70% of the socks must be cotton. You should also wash your socks regularly, especially in the summer or after prolonged usage.
Take Care of Your Hygiene
Sometimes, the cause of the bad odor may lie in your feet. Take simple hygienic measures that help you eliminate the root cause of the stinky shoes. Keep your feet fresh all the time, especially before and after using the shoes. You should also clean out and wash your shoes from time to time; this will help flush out any remaining bacteria and stop their further growth.
Store Your Shoes Properly
After you have finished with your shoes, you need to store them in a dry place, where clean and fresh air can flow easily. Don't put your shoes directly under the sun, as doing so will cause damage to your shoes. Also, keep your shoes away from heat sources.
When it comes to dressing up, we take care that the dress we wear smells right and every wrinkle is ironed out, and we also take great pains to accessorize our dress appropriately. But poor shoes! It gets totally neglected. As shoes enable us to "reach places" and looks after our feet so well, it definitely deserves a better treatment than what is currently being meted out to it!
