If our feet (and therefore also the shoes) smell unpleasantly, this is not a sign of poor hygiene. In fact, special bacteria in human sweat are responsible for the fact that we stink. And they feel particularly comfortable in humid and warm environments – such as the inside of our shoes. If we take off the sweaty shoes, the bacteria react with the air. This creates the unpleasant odors. Unfortunately, these stubbornly remain in the shoes through regular wear, so that they have to be treated every now and then. We have summarized for you below which (home) remedies help to minimize the stench.
You can buy special shoe sprays to eliminate bad odors in numerous drugstores as well as online. They are sprayed directly into the shoes and mask the stench with fragrant fragrances – but they do not eliminate the cause. For this reason, it can make sense to regularly treat your shoes with a disinfectant spray, as these also fight bacteria (and fungi).
Alternatively, there is microbiological shoe powder against foot odor, which consists of 99 percent natural ingredients and – according to the manufacturer – should last for up to six months. Or you can use special anti-odour cushions with natural activated charcoal, which are placed in the shoes and are supposed to absorb unpleasant odors and thus neutralize them. According to the manufacturer, these last up to a year.
Incidentally, there are also special foot deodorants that reduce bad odours. However, you should use them with caution, as they can sometimes contain harmful and skin-irritating ingredients. Be sure to pay attention to the ingredients and it is better to choose a brand without aluminum salts.
Another tip: With a voucher from Otto, you will receive a discount of up to 50 percent on new items in the online shop.
To banish bad smells from worn shoes, you can use proven home remedies – such as:
Baking Soda (or Baking Soda) If your sneakers stink, you can sprinkle a packet of baking soda (alternatively, a teaspoon of baking soda) inside the shoes. Let the home remedy work overnight to bind the moisture and remove the powder the next morning – preferably with a handheld vacuum cleaner. Or you can first put the baking powder in an old nylon sock and then tie it up. This saves you the hassle of removing it afterwards.
Citrus fruitsThe peel of citrus fruits is also said to help neutralize bad odors in shoes. The essential oils it contains work their magic by placing the peels on the stinky insoles overnight. This trick is supposed to work with all citrus fruits, by the way, so it doesn’t matter if you use a lemon or orange, lime or grapefruit.
CoffeeAs is so often the case, coffee is a popular household remedy – including when it comes to eliminating unpleasant odours. Its strong aroma should easily neutralize the stench in shoes. Just put some coffee powder (dried) on the insoles and leave it to work overnight. But be careful: Coffee can stain the soles, so it makes sense to first put the powder in a thin cloth bag or nylon stockings and seal it.
Extra tip: Put your smelly shoes in the freezer for 24 hours. The odor-causing bacteria cannot tolerate such cold temperatures. However, it is advisable to put the shoes in a freezer bag beforehand.
To prevent bad smells from spreading through your shoes, you can take a few preventive measures:
Sources: Ökotest / Utopia
This article contains so-called affiliate links. Further information are available here.
