How to Get Rid of Shoe Smell
When it comes to athletic performance, New Balance shoes cannot be beat due to their customized design and comfortable materials.
Yet, your shoes always take a beating when you engage in high-level workouts and competitions. Since sweat is the main cause of foot odors, you are already a step ahead by choosing a brand that focuses on breathability.
However, you can amp up your odor-fighting game by using these five simple strategies.
Get Rid of Shoe Smell with a Shoe Ball
These little orbs look like something you may pummel on the tennis court, but they actually contain a scent inside. Just give them a little twist, and toss them in your shoes at the end of the day. This releases a lovely fragrance that will overpower any foul odor.
Wick Away Moisture with a Shoe Tree
Shoe trees come in a variety of materials, but using natural cedar is the best way to prevent odors. This is because the cedar will naturally remove moisture from your shoes and replace odors with a fresh, woodsy scent. As an added bonus, the shoe tree is designed to help leather keep its shape so you can fix two problems at once.
Spray Odors Away
When you need to get rid of the stink quick, a spray is always the way to go. Shoe spray bottles are small enough to fit in your pocket or locker, and they provide a fast way to eliminate even the worst smells. To use it, simply point into your shoe and spray. Allow it a few minutes to dry, and you can hit the track in no time.
Give Them Some Sun
If you’ve ever hung clothes out to dry, then you know how great the scent of fresh air can be. Although this method does take a little time, the results are well worth the fresh feel and smell of your shoes the next day. Just put your shoes outside in a nice, warm spot that is filled with sunshine. Ideally, it should be a secure area that is also free of pests. Then, allow your shoes to sit outside for several hours, and any residual odors should be gone.
Clean the Outside
Sometimes, sweat soaks through the leather or dirt builds up on the uppers and leads to foul odors emanating from the outside of your shoe. To combat this issue, choose a shoe cleaner that is designed for the specific material from which your shoes are made. It should also contain dirt and odor dissolving enzymes that will break down the bacteria that leads to shoe stench. Follow the instructions on the label, and keep up with your shoe care routine. In general, cleaning your shoes at least once a week will prevent shoe odors for most athletes.
Few things are as embarrassing as removing your shoes in the locker room and noticing a foul odor. However, it’s a problem that just goes with the territory when you spend lots of time engaged in competitive sports or leisurely physical activity. Since it is a problem that people rarely like to talk about, it is important to know what to do before it happens. By being proactive and sticking to a regular shoe care routine that uses two or more of these strategies, you can kick your shoes off at the end of a workout with full confidence that all you’ll notice is sweet relief.