What to do if your shoes stink

Each of us has encountered the problem of unpleasant foot odor. And it seems like we keep our shoes and our bodies clean, but the smell appears again and again. What to do in this situation? How to get rid of the problem? We'll tell you in our informative article and give you some reliable tips.

Why do shoes stink?

An unpleasant odor causes discomfort not only to us, but also to those around us. And this happens at the most inopportune moment, for example, while visiting. How awkward it is to feel in this situation. And then the question arises, why do my feet smell so bad?

There are three options:

• you purchased shoes made from non-breathable materials;
• nail fungus or sweaty feet;
• factory smell, such as rubber or glue.

In the first case, everything is very clear - the shoes are made of low-quality materials that do not allow air to pass through. This problem can be encountered in cheap stores where the product is made of eco-leather, i.e. a substitute for natural fabric or other dense synthetics.

The second option is foot or nail disease. Not cured fungus tends to grow and emit an unpleasant odor. Plus, sweating feet causes bacteria to multiply exponentially.

Quite often there is a combined problem - poor-quality shoes and sweating. If your feet are already suffering from problems and you add a bad purchase, it will be extremely difficult to get rid of the smell.

The third option is that the smell was initially present in the shoes. Remember when you bought a product in a store, was there an unpleasant smell directly on the sales floor? If you answered yes, then most likely all the shoes in this store have a specific aroma. And this is not the seller’s fault, but the manufacturer’s, who used low-quality rubber or glue.

Therefore, you should definitely smell the shoes before buying. If there is an unpleasant odor, then put the product back.

Be sure to request a quality certificate for this type of product. Since sometimes the seller, in pursuit of profit, changes the price tag, which indicates what the shoes are made of. Believe me, if your request is denied, then leave the store. An honest seller will always show and prove that you are buying a good product.

How to remove odor from shoes

Of course, there are proven and reliable grandmother’s methods, but life does not stand still. The chemical industry offers various options for combating unpleasant odors.

Let's consider the most popular:

• Foot deodorant. Doesn't get rid of sweat, but solves the problem of unpleasant odor.
• Scented insoles. They absorb excess moisture, and in return you get legs without amber.
• Shoe deodorant. Do not confuse with the first option, these are different things.

Of course, the old methods still work and are still in use:

• acetic acid;
• weak solution of potassium permanganate;
• newspapers placed in shoes;
• sawdust for cat litter, etc.

But what should you do to get rid of the unpleasant odor forever?

For starters, don't skimp on shoes. There is one wonderful proverb: “We are not rich enough to buy cheap things.” An analogy can be drawn with another form of expression, that a miser pays twice. Let's reveal a little secret that any shoes should be bought on sales. That is, buy winter ones at the end of spring, and summer ones closer to autumn. Believe me, discounts are up to 70%. And during the season you will save a pleasant amount.

Let's move on. If you have fungus on your feet, it needs to be treated urgently. But we do not advise you to cope with this disease on your own, but to go to a mycologist.

If you have sweating feet, you can consult a dermatologist. Also, according to patient reviews, Teymurov’s ointment solves this problem quite well. But first, consult your doctor.

If the cause exists even in new shoes, then try rinsing the insoles well and treating the inside with shoe deodorant. Then leave it to ventilate overnight. You can use vinegar instead of deodorant. Make a weak solution, wet a rag and place it inside the shoe. You can leave it overnight.

They also cope with the unpleasant smell of sawdust, which are intended for cat litter. Believe me, it perfectly absorbs moisture and all foreign aromas.

How to remove urine smell from shoes

Many pets love to mark their territory, especially when it comes to new things. Therefore, it is no wonder that a pet can go to the toilet in new shoes. Therefore, if you see a fresh puddle, you are lucky. You can get rid of the smell faster than a long-standing one.

To begin with, you should wash your shoes with laundry soap, rinse them with vinegar water and place them in fresh air. If the smell of urine is not eliminated, then go to a pet store. There you can purchase neutralizers that kill unpleasant odors.

Usually available in the form of sprays or aerosols. It is enough to spray once and you will forget about the unpleasant incident.

Remember: do not spray perfume, cologne or aromatic oils under any circumstances. At first the smell will be masked, but later it will come with renewed vigor. In this case, you won’t be able to get rid of it and will have to throw away your shoes.

Keep an eye on your shoes and promptly consult a doctor if the current problem requires it.