Washing your shoes properly, to stop them from stinking, is an appropriate foot odor treatment. It typically works best in conjunction with other treatment methods. However, wearing clean shoes means less chance of odor.
When you’re wearing smelly shoes, it’s hard to determine whether the odor is coming from your feet or the shoes themselves. If it is your shoes, you have several cleaning options available to you.
It should be noted that not all footwear can withstand washing at home. If your shoes are expensive, it’s best to have them professionally cleaned.
The Washing Machine and Foot Odor Treatment
To wash your shoes in the washing machine, remove the laces, if applicable. If the soles are removable, remove them. Put your shoes in a pillowcase. Put the pillowcase in the washer. Wash the shoes on normal cycle. Use hot water and plenty of laundry soap. If your shoes are white, feel free to add bleach.
Vinegar or Baking Soda
Prior to washing your shoes in the washing machine, you might want to try this. Put 1 cup of baking soda in each shoe. Add 1 cup of vinegar to the baking soda. Allow mixture to bubble and fizz for 15 minutes. Rinse out each shoe and follow the washing instructions above.
There are also several ways to “freshen” your shoes, without actually washing them. They include:
- Odor-control insoles
- Freezing your shoes
- Purchasing sneaker balls
Foot Care
A large part of keeping your shoes from stinking involves proper foot care. Keep your feet clean! Some people recommend using a washcloth. Why? Scrubbing your feet with a textured cloth removes dead skin. Dead skin is part of the foot odor problem.
Always keep your feet as dry as possible. After a shower, make sure to dry between your toes. You don’t want to put your moist feet in your clean shoes.
Consider using foot powder or antiperspirant. Both of these products help to reduce the chance of your feet sweating. Foot odor is actually caused by bacteria. Bacteria thrives in dark, moist, places.
When you wash your socks, add a half-cup of white vinegar after you add laundry soap. White vinegar neutralizes odors and acts as a fabric softener, to boot.
This is just a short overview, in regard to washing your shoes (and your feet). It’s up to you to follow through, whenever you feel it’s necessary.
Keeping your footwear clean is affordable and quite simple. Why not take the time to implement this foot odor treatment, today? Your nose will be glad you did!
Trouble with chronic foot order? Please contact our offices today!
