How to get rid of the smell of shoes?
Sometimes we encounter a problem when our favorite shoes or boots become a source of a very unpleasant odor. How to get rid of the smell of shoes so that others do not shun you and you yourself feel confident in any situation? You will learn about this in this article.
to contents ↑How to get rid of the smell in new shoes?
The new thing just bought in the store does not always smell pleasantly skin. It can have a rather pungent odor if low-grade, low-quality components are used for its manufacture. This is especially true for various kinds of Chinese-made shoes made of cheap synthetic materials.
Important! So that from now on you do not have to face such a problem, leave our articles in your bookmarks, information from which will be useful when you next buy shoes:
First aid:
- If a foreign smell comes from a leather product, dealing with it is quite simple. Do not put on a new pair immediately - be sure to leave it for a day or at least for the night in the open air, for example, on the balcony. Such ventilation in many cases will help remove any odor.
- Cheap shoes from substitutes, to neutralize the smell and disinfection, gently wipe with a solution of medical alcohol for a week. But, unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will be able to get rid of the smell of such shoes completely.
to contents ↑Important! You need to know that the reasons for the appearance of an extraneous smell can be not only the poor quality of the shoe or improper storage conditions, but also excessive sweating of the legs, which must be combated with medications. If you have such a problem, be sure to consult your doctor. You can read our review in advance, where all the reasons are considered in detail, why feet sweat what to do.
How to remove the smell from worn shoes?
It is much more difficult to get rid of the smell in old shoes than in new ones, especially when it comes to shoes or boots that you have been wearing for years. Winter and demi-season products easily absorb various odors emanating not only from sweaty feet. The situation is aggravated if you take care of the shoes poorly, do not ventilate, and in the warm season keep it in closed boxes. Wet items need even more thorough care, since excess moisture leads to their premature wear and can cause the appearance of fungus. To remove the smell of shoes in such conditions, use one of the proposed methods:
Option 1
- Prepare a cotton pad.
- Soak it in a hydrogen peroxide solution.
- Wipe the shoes from the inside.
- If necessary, repeat the procedure a few more times until the smell disappears completely.
- Process shoe deodorant.
- Dry thoroughly.
Option 2
- Pour baking soda or flour into your shoes.
- Leave on for 7-10 hours.
- Wipe the inside thoroughly with a rag or vacuum the shoes.
Important! Soda acts as an absorbent and absorbs any unpleasant odor. However, be careful when using it - whitish stains may remain on black shoes. You can use talcum powder, baby powder or sea salt for the same purpose. They equally effectively help get rid of the smell of shoes.
Option 3
- Dip a piece of cotton in a weak solution of vinegar.
- Wipe the shoes from the inside.
- Be sure to let it dry.
Important! With a special deodorant, which is sold in many shoe stores, it is advisable to process the shoes after any procedure, as well as after prolonged storage, to completely remove odors.
Option 4
- Pour 1 liter of water into a container.
- Dissolve in it 5-6 crystals of potassium permanganate.
- Wipe the shoes.
- If necessary, additionally treat with hydrogen peroxide.
- Dry it.
Important! Before using any product, be sure to test it on an inconspicuous area, and only then use it on the entire surface to get rid of the smell of shoes. This will help to avoid troubles in the form of discoloration or damage to the skin.
Option 5
- Put 5-7 tablets of activated carbon in each shoe.
- Leave it overnight.
- Throw away used pills.
- Wipe the shoes with a dry cloth.
Option 6
- Take a small amount of fresh cat tray wood filler.
- Pour it into 2 old socks.
- Put a toe in each boot or boot.
- Leave it overnight.
- Throw away the granules in the morning.
to contents ↑Important! Lavender and tea tree essential oils also neutralize bad odors. Put a few drops on the rags of the old fabric and lay them inside. Leave for 12 hours.
Useful Tips
- If possible, buy quality products made of genuine leather. Do not save by purchasing shoes or boots from cheap substitutes, otherwise it will be almost impossible to get rid of the smell of shoes.
- In the warm season, you should not wear closed shoes, otherwise your legs will sweat a lot. If a strict corporate style is prescribed at work and wearing sandals is unacceptable, purchase lightweight summer shoes or the so-called “breathing” shoes with perforated fabric.
- Open summer shoes - sandals or slippers, if the material from which it is made allows, periodically rinse with soapy water, treat with deodorant and dry.
- Quality wash your sneakers or sneakers in the washing machine. This does not apply to cheap shoes made of synthetic materials - after such a procedure, it may simply break up in your case. It is recommended to wipe with a solution of medical alcohol for disinfection.
- Always dry your winter boots or boots every time you return home using an ultraviolet dryer, even if your shoes are not wet. Thus, you will not only prevent the appearance of extraneous odors, but also protect the shoes from the appearance of fungus.
- Do not wear the same pair daily - let the shoes “relax”.
- From time to time, at least once a quarter, change insoles or buy a variety of them with a charcoal layer that absorbs moisture well, you can use aromatic insoles for new boots.
- In the cold season, wear socks made from natural materials so that your feet do not sweat and your shoes do not absorb the smell. Make it a rule to wear a clean pair of socks daily. Please note that women’s kapron products beloved by women increase the smell of sweat.
- To avoid excessive sweating of the feet, wash them often, wipe them dry, do not neglect the pedicure - remove corns and corns in time, in case of skin or nail fungus - get treatment as soon as possible. We strongly recommend that you do not abuse the use of a product such as Formidron as a remedy for sweating feet or in order to remove the smell from shoes. Although it effectively combats the smell of sweat, it contains formaldehyde, which is quite toxic and can harm your health.
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We hope that our tips on how to get rid of the smell of shoes will help you solve this delicate problem, as well as extend the life of your favorite things.