Do you also know the problem when your feet sweat in your shoes and your shoes smell? What to do? This inconvenience applies mainly to men, but more than one woman and even a child suffers from excessive sweating.

Even the cleanest person can encounter the smell of feet and shoes.
The smell also has an unpleasant effect on the psyche.
Especially when visiting relatives or friends, take off your shoes if necessary.
Why do feet and shoes stink, how to get rid of the smell?

Causes of sweating

Why is there a problem with the body's natural thermoregulation and removal of pollutants?
Why are my feet cold and sweaty?

Many specialists in the field of dermatology have been devoting themselves to this issue for many years. If your feet sweat when exposed to high temperatures, this is understandable.

However, the constant presence of stench is a pathological condition that needs to be addressed.
Otherwise, there is a high risk of fungal diseases, not to mention discomfort.

First of all, you should understand that we are talking about a disease.
The cause, in most cases, is heredity. That is, if one of the parents suffers from excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) of the feet, this may be the reason why the child’s feet are sweating.

The problem may arise in childhood or due to hormonal changes during puberty. Hormones may be the reason why women's feet sweat a lot - some women experience hyperhidrosis during menopause. Then this condition persists until old age.

However, in the question of why the feet sweat, more banal factors may also be involved, for example, the proliferation of bacteria.
This can happen due to insufficient hygiene, incorrectly chosen shoes, etc.

Causes of stinky shoes

If you are concerned about the problem of why your feet sweat in shoes, pay attention to the following factors.

1. Incorrect choice
   The moment you go for a walk in light sports sneakers and it suddenly starts to rain, the risk that they will become damaged immediately increases, mold will form in them, and bacteria will begin to multiply in them.
2. Poor quality
   Feet stink primarily when wearing shoes that are made from low quality materials. It is not surprising that the problem of why feet sweat and stink arises, especially among people wearing cheap clothes bought at the market.
3. Worn and holes
   My feet sweat and smell a lot – what should I do? Throw away your old shoes!
   If there is any visible damage (for example, a punctured sole), dirt can easily get inside, which can be difficult to remove. Dirt can lead to the growth of bacteria and the appearance of “odor”.
4. Dirty feet
   Even well-kept shoes will smell if you wear them with dirty feet...
5. Mismatched socks
   In addition to dirty feet, stench can be caused by old and unwashed socks. Likewise, the fact that socks are made of low-quality, non-breathable materials can lead to trouble.
6. Using a low-quality spray
   Aerosol is a good remedy for foot and shoe odor.
   However, it is important to remember to use really good sprays, otherwise the result will be the opposite.

How to deal with the problem?

If you encounter an unpleasant odor, the question naturally arises as to why your feet sweat; the cause and treatment of the problem are interconnected, so it is important to focus specifically on the triggering factors.

Now is the time to try some tips on what to do at home if your feet are sweating. Sometimes home-tested recipes can be no less effective than professional remedies offered by modern medicine.

1. Antiperspirants
   Try using the same antiperspirant on your feet that you use on your armpits. It will prevent sweating and stench. Apply it under your socks.
2. Hairdryer
   If your feet tend to develop hyperhidrosis or suffer from fungal nail infections, use your hairdryer on the lowest setting. This will protect against skin infections and absorb moisture.
3. Black tea
   A good way to prevent sweaty feet is regular black tea. Add 2 tea bags to 2 glasses of water and boil for 15 minutes. After this, remove the tea bags and dilute the “medicine” with 2 liters of water. Let cool for a few minutes and do a foot bath for approximately 30 minutes. Repeat this process every day. Black tea contains tannins, which kill bacteria, close pores, and help eliminate stink.
4. 
   Add 2 cups of salt to a larger container half filled with hot water. Do this bath for 15 minutes 2 times a day. Epsom salt has an astringent effect, kills bacteria and reduces sweating.
5. Benzoyl peroxide
   In order to win the battle against bacteria, apply 5% or 10% gel to your feet. (The gel also helps acne-prone skin). The price of the drug varies between 600-700 rub.
6. 
   Pour a cup of vinegar into a bath of warm water, to which add a few drops of thyme oil. This bath will have a strong antiseptic effect and destroy bacteria. Wet your feet in the bath for 15-20 minutes. Carry out the procedure every day for a week.
7. 
   
   What to do if your feet sweat a lot and smell? Before going to bed, apply a few drops of lavender oil () to your feet and massage. In addition to getting rid of stench, lavender will destroy unwanted bacteria.
8. Foot powder
   You can also use a special foot powder that absorbs unpleasant odors and reduces sweating. . Sprinkle it on your feet. Repeat the procedure several times a week.
9. Corn starch
   In solving the problem of what to do if your feet sweat and smell, first aid can be provided by corn
   starch. Sprinkle it on your feet or the inside of your shoes. Starch absorbs sweat and therefore stench.
10. Herbal Month
    If you want not only to alleviate the problem for a short time, but to get rid of it forever, you should give preference to one of the long-term treatment methods. One of them is bathing in a decoction of two herbs. Buy dried rosemary and sage herbs. They have an anti-inflammatory effect, thanks to what the deep layers of the skin can treat. Take short 10-minute baths every evening - the herbs will work throughout the night. Don't forget to repeat the procedure regularly throughout the month.
11. 
    
    In this case, it must be reiterated that this problem may occur due to unwanted bacteria. Therefore, it is important to disinfect socks using special preparations. After this, wash them at the highest temperature. You can remove stench from shoes in the following way: pour foot powder into it, which will absorb moisture, then put in anti-odor balls or a few cloves.
12. 
    
    It has been scientifically proven that the best help with excessive sweating is provided by cosmetic products containing a certain percentage of silver. It is specially processed and added, in particular, to deodorants and ointments. Ointment for odor and sweating of feet containing silver is also affordable - its cost varies between 500 rubles! In addition, it is recommended to use special foot care products, since in case of very sensitive skin, skin problems may arise. You can try antiperspirant for feet or special preparations that can be bought in pharmacies - their use can protect against problems for a week. One of the long-used methods is to place any piece of silverware in your shoes that will absorb the unpleasant odor.
13. Botox
    If an antiperspirant or ointment for feet against odor and sweat does not show effectiveness, there is one way that will help get rid of the problem in the long term. This is to apply Botox to the feet, which prevents sweating and thereby reduces the odor. Compared to other methods, Botox is a more aggressive option, so it is recommended only when truly necessary. Its advantage is that it actually helps solve the problem for people who have not been helped by the above methods.

How to get rid of sweaty feet using vinegar? Read the article:

Be careful with certain foods

Some of them contain strong essential substances, which also affect body odors. Thus, during the summer months, try to avoid excessive consumption of garlic, onions or beer. Some alcoholic drinks and even coffee can have negative effects.
In addition, increased consumption of cheeses and some dairy products is undesirable.

Nothing beats the importance of regular hygiene!

To prevent sweaty feet, ointment or antiperspirant will not help if you do not follow the usual hygiene rules. You should wash your feet not only in the morning and evening, but, if necessary, even during the day.
Always remember to dry thoroughly to avoid a damp environment that breeds bacteria.

Be careful when using socks. They must be made of pure cotton; in addition, if necessary, replace them several times a day.

Herbal powders

Powders absorb sweat, prevent chafing and reduce possible skin inflammation.

Recipe No. 1
Add 10-30 drops of any essential oil to a cup of cornstarch. Mix the mixture with your fingers and use immediately.

Recipe No. 2
For hot days, the refreshing aroma of grapefruit and lavender is suitable ().
Preparation:

• 50 g corn starch;
• 7 drops each of lavender and grapefruit essential oil.

Mix corn starch with cosmetic clay. Add essential oils drop by drop and mix everything with your fingers. Leave it in a sealed container for a few days, after which you can use it.

Recipe No. 3
The cooking method is as follows:

• 2 tbsp. fragrant rose petals;
• 50 g corn starch;
• 2 tbsp. white cosmetic clay;
• 7 drops each of lavender, rose and ylang-ylang essential oils.

Rose, lavender and ylang-ylang will give the powder an aroma and an invigorating effect. Corn starch and cosmetic clay, in turn, will cope with sweat.
Grind rose petals in a coffee grinder to powder and mix with cornstarch and cosmetic clay. Add essential oils (drop by drop) and mix everything thoroughly with your fingers. Leave in a sealed container for several days. Use as needed.

Recipe No. 4
The preparation is the same as in recipe No. 2, but replace the mentioned essential oils with 10 drops of sandalwood oil, 3 drops of lavender and 3 drops of sage ().

Natural deodorants

If your feet smell, natural deodorants that are easy to make yourself can help.

Sage deodorant
Sage is very effective in reducing sweating. To prepare it, we also use hornbeam extract, which has a cooling and cleansing effect, and grapefruit seed extract, which, in turn, kills bacteria that cause stench.
Preparation:

• 60 ml hornbeam extract;
• 30 ml alcohol-based sage extract;
• 10 drops grapefruit seed extract;
• 10 drops each of geranium and patchouli oil.

Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before use and apply to feet. This deodorant can be used all over the body.

A gentle herbal deodorant
Preparation:

• 2 tbsp. dried thyme;
• 2 tbsp. dry sage;
• 2 tbsp. dried lavender;
• 1/4 l hornbeam extract;
• 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar;
• 1 tbsp. fresh grated lemon zest.

Pour thyme, sage, lavender and lemon zest into a bowl, fill with hornbeam extract, close and leave for a week. After this, add apple cider vinegar, pour the liquid into a clean spray bottle and use as needed.

About the beneficial and medicinal properties of apple cider vinegar

Aromatherapy deodorant
Cypress and lavender oils combined with grape seed extract prevent the spread of bacteria and help eliminate odors.
Preparation:

• 60 ml hornbeam extract;
• 10 drops each of grapefruit, cypress and lavender seed oils.

Mix all these ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before use.

Cleansing baths

Hydrotherapy is a traditional way of cleansing and regenerating the body. In addition, it normalizes sweating.

Cleansing bath with bitter salt
The basis of this bath is bitter salt and essential oils of cypress, ginger and grapefruit.
Preparation:

• 1/4 kg bitter salt;
• 3 drops each of essential oil of cypress, grapefruit and ginger;
• 1 tbsp. vodka or whole milk.

Start filling the bathtub with warm water, while adding bitter salt. When the bath is full, add essential oils and milk/vodka. Stir. Take a bath for 15-30 minutes. After this, take a cool shower.

Oak bark bath
Oak bark is used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, soothing effects and helping to eliminate excessive sweating.
Oak bark for external use - prepare a concentrated decoction: 30-40 g of dried oak bark, add 1 liter of water, boil for 5 minutes, then add to the bath.

How to get rid of stink from shoes?

In this case, people's councils will also come to the rescue. The most effective of them are the following:

• pour table salt into your shoes and leave overnight;
• pour vodka into a spray bottle, spray your shoes and leave to dry until the morning; this cleansing can be repeated several times;
• The use of cat litter is interesting - its main feature is the ability to absorb unpleasant odors; fill your socks with it and put it in your boots at night;
• our grandmothers preferred to use lovage leaves - put bunches of the plant in shoes and leave for 2 days;
• A solution of water, vinegar and lemon juice has a good effect - pour it into a spray bottle, treat the boots and leave to dry;
• Slices of lemon placed in shoes will also help - they tend to absorb surrounding odors;
• You can try freezing - leave the boots in the freezer for at least 2 days; but you shouldn’t expect miracles - the only advantage of this method is getting rid of possible bacteria.

Buy breathable, high-quality shoes. During the day, try to change your shoes several times. When it gets warmer outside, choose open-toe styles.

Many people, regardless of the time of year, encounter an unpleasant phenomenon - their feet and shoes stink. What to do to avoid discomfort and discomfort? There can be many reasons why your favorite sneakers and, accordingly, your feet emit an unpleasant odor: serious internal disorders of the body are possible, or the problem lies in the quality of the product that the person is wearing.

Causes of unpleasant foot odor

Various factors can cause an unpleasant odor:

Even if you are sure that your feet smell strongly because of bad insoles, poor-quality lining material or an unpleasant smell of glue, the problem should be solved with proper foot care.

Many people wonder why Chinese shoes stink, but the “odor” can appear even if you wear expensive, high-quality boots. Over time, the product becomes damp from sweat, insufficient drying from moisture, and from the accumulation of dirt. It takes a lot of effort to remove this. It is recommended to use special sprays that should be applied after each cleaning and a few hours before going outside.

You need to check for abnormalities in the body's functioning that affect excessive sweating by getting tested for fungus. If the result is positive, in addition to hygienic methods of eliminating the “odor” of the feet, you should get rid of health problems - do everything that the attending physician advises.

What to do to prevent your feet from stinking

What can you do to prevent your shoes from stinking if no health problems are found? Remove "aroma" ( this needs to be done comprehensively and regularly) will help normalize blood circulation, sweat secretion, proper foot care, and adherence to basic hygiene rules.

You need to wash your feet every day, and if possible more than once. It is recommended to do this using a washcloth or tar soap. In the morning, you should not only put on clean cotton socks, but also sprinkle the skin of your feet with talcum powder or apply deodorizing cream.

This will not only help you get rid of the problem in question, but will also give you freshness and comfort. After this, you need to treat your feet and the shoes themselves with deodorant. However, it is worth noting that products for shoes and for feet are different.

A few preventive measures that need to be done regularly to prevent your shoes from smelling are presented below:

Doing all of the above will not be difficult for everyone, and the problem will noticeably decrease and cease to cause discomfort.

Selection of insoles and dryers

When asking what needs to be done to prevent shoes from stinking, the first thing you should pay attention to is drying the product. Sneakers and shoes constantly need to be aired and thoroughly dried.

You don’t need to do anything special for this; you just need to purchase a special dryer, which is sold in hardware or shoe stores. Particularly effective are varieties with flavoring, ultraviolet light, and ionizer. After complete drying, you can forget about the trouble until the next soaking.

What to do if your shoes stink, how to get rid of the smell after drying and using deodorant? Various insoles will help maintain freshness for a long time.

You can quickly and permanently get rid of the “aroma” by purchasing the following options:

• With all kinds of flavors;
• With silver particles;
• With activated carbon made of genuine leather, regular with a thick base;
• Based on bamboo;
• Linen models.

Additionally, in the question of what to do if your feet stink after wearing shoes, using disposable pads-napkins soaked in antistatic deodorant will help. You can easily get rid of unpleasant sensations by simply placing them on the insole.

How to get rid of odor in shoes

The following proven methods using improvised means will help you with the question of how to treat your shoes so they don’t stink.

Unpleasant odor of feet, socks and shoes is a problem affecting many of us. From a medical point of view, it does not pose any threat to health, much less life, but it is very uncomfortable. Fortunately, getting rid of it is not that difficult. So, your feet and shoes stink - what to do at home?

Why can feet be so “fragrant”?

There are about 250,000 sweat gland ducts on our feet - more than on any other part of the body! When it's warm, they secrete sweat. However, it is not the moisture itself that is the source of the unpleasant odor. The same principle applies here as with the armpits. The “aroma” appears due to bacteria living on our skin, which feed on organic substances contained in sweat and release isovaleric acid. It is she who emits this irritating odor, clearly audible from a distance.

You can support the proliferation of microorganisms if you don’t worry too much about hygiene, wear synthetic clothes and shoes on your lower limbs, don’t let your skin “breathe,” etc. The situation can worsen if a fungus settles on the skin of the feet. Its symptoms are redness and small blisters that form mainly between the fingers. The appearance of such symptoms should be a signal that it is necessary to use medications.

In turn, bad-smelling shoes are the result of excessive sweating of the feet, which, releasing an excess amount of sweat, begin to stink, “endowing” our shoes and sneakers with the same smell.

This all becomes a very awkward problem when we find ourselves in someone else's house or somewhere else where we are forced to take off our shoes. Therefore, it is worth knowing what to do if your feet and shoes stink badly, what to do to prevent delicate situations.

Feet and shoes stink - what to do, how to deal with the bad smell?

Legs

1. Washing

Frequent washing of the lower extremities is the basis for the prevention and treatment of bad foot odor and, accordingly, footwear. They must be washed thoroughly in warm water and soap (preferably antibacterial) up to several times during the day.

If necessary, use a soft brush to gently but thoroughly cleanse the skin.

2. Thorough drying and deodorizing

After washing, dry your feet thoroughly before putting on socks. After each hygiene procedure, you need to use baby foot powder, potato starch, powdered boric acid or simple baking soda.

If your feet stink and you don’t know what to do, then even at home you can use more complex products - powder with anti-sweat properties (they are sold in pharmacies) or an antifungal spray. Preparations based on antifungal essential oils are worthy of attention. These are complex formulations in which a refreshing, odor-eliminating effect is combined with an antiperspirant effect. It’s just that deodorants only mask the unpleasant odor, but do not prevent excessive sweating, which means they are only a half-measure. The optimal solution is preparations containing aluminum chloride hexahydrate. True, in case of deprivation, you should not use this kind of remedy, because they cause a strong burning sensation. Sticks are recommended instead of sprays. At first they are used 2-3 times a day, then only once.

Spray your feet with a special antiperspirant five minutes before putting on your shoes. However, avoid places where the skin is cracked or injured.

3. Evening procedure

In the evening, wash your feet thoroughly and rub alcohol into them, then spray a strong antiperspirant over your feet and wrap your foot in plastic wrap so that the active substances penetrate deeper into the skin. Put on your socks. The procedure must be repeated every evening for a week, and then, if necessary, 1-2 times a week.

4. Baths against bad foot odor

Frequently soaking your feet in various solutions is another proven answer to the question of what to do at home if your feet stink. Here are examples of such compositions and recipes.

• Tea. The tannin contained in the famous drink has a drying effect. 3-4 bags are boiled for 10 minutes in 1 liter of water, then diluted with cold water, after which the feet are kept in this liquid for 30 minutes. After this time, the limbs are thoroughly dried, sprinkled with powder or something else. The procedure is carried out twice a day until the condition improves, then it is enough to repeat it twice a week.
• Kosher salt(stone, rougher than a normal dining room). Stinking feet are kept in a solution diluted in the proportion of half a glass of spice per 1 liter.
• Baking soda. Dissolve a tablespoon of the substance in 1 liter of water and wet your feet 2 times a week for 15 minutes.
• Vinegar. Half a glass for 1 liter of water - use the same as in the recipe with soda. Or you can soak your feet in warm water with 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar for 15 minutes once a week.
• Aluminum acetate (Burow's fluid). Add 2 tablespoons of liquid to 0.5 liters of cold water and wet your feet in the resulting solution for 10-20 minutes. Repeat the procedure 2 times a day.

Cold bath with ice cubes or lemon juice. At the end, the feet are rubbed with alcohol and dried. During hot weather, this procedure should be repeated every day. Contraindications: diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

If none of these methods help, consult your doctor - he may be able to recommend medications for excessive sweating.

Socks

• Frequent changes of socks (or tights) are needed, at least twice a day, up to 3-4 times a day. It is better to choose products made from natural fibers, such as cotton, which absorbs moisture well.
• Wear two pairs of socks at a time. At first glance, this advice seems inappropriate if your feet and shoes are already very stinky due to sweat - where are more socks! Meanwhile, the layer of air between the two pairs improves the cooling of the feet, thereby reducing their sweating. First you need to put on cotton socks, then wool socks on top. Of course, this advice is only relevant for the cold season.

Shoes

What to do if your feet stink after wearing shoes? Pay special attention to her!

• Classic closed shoes and boots increase foot sweating and create ideal conditions for the development of bacteria. Therefore, the best choice from this point of view is leather sandals or open-toed shoes.
• Avoid shoes made from synthetics.
• Never wear the same pair for two days (let alone the whole week) in a row. Replace them every few days, giving the previous pair a chance to dry and air out. Only after 24 hours do the shoes dry sufficiently.
• Process the insides. Before putting on shoes, you can pour it into shoes, sneakers, etc. a little soda, talc, so that they absorb moisture and unpleasant odor. An effective means of eliminating the “aroma” is a decoction of wormwood. This liquid should be used to irrigate the inside of the shoe.
• Insoles with the addition of activated carbon effectively absorb moisture, which helps prevent the problem.

What else to do if your feet and shoes stink?

Iontophoresis

This is a procedure based on blocking overactive sweat glands. The device generates weak electrical energy of the desired frequency, which affects the sweat glands in such a way that their excessive activity decreases for some time. Regular repetition of the procedure allows you to keep your feet dry and reduce their sweating.
The tension on the skin is very low, so there is no risk of any negative side effects. Iontophoresis can also be used at home if you have the appropriate devices. They are not cheap, but the costs are offset by savings on procedures performed in professional salons, on special cosmetics, sweat-damaged shoes, socks, etc.

Calmness, combating increased emotionality

Sweat glands react quickly to strong emotions. Therefore, stress (both positive and negative) causes an increase in sweat secretion, which in turn activates bacteria that cause bad odor. Therefore, it is worth adopting and using proven relaxation methods.

Diet

Eating spicy foods, such as onions, peppers, or garlic, can make your sweat smell more intense.

Leg condition

Excessive stress on your feet or an orthopedic condition (such as flat feet) can also cause excessive sweating. The more burdened your feet are, the more sweat they produce - accordingly, the more moisture, which contributes to the development of bacteria, turning it into a source of stench. Therefore, eliminating the immediate cause (for example, restoring the correct shape of the leg using appropriate orthopedic inserts) will help reduce sweating.

If your feet and shoes stink, what to do can be recommended by a dermatologist, who is probably aware of modern advances in the field of means of combating excess sweating. However, you need to start with the simplest, home measures - in many cases they are sufficient.

Shoes are one of the most important parts in a person’s wardrobe. A person chooses shoes based on several criteria, such as durability, comfort, reliability, appearance and much more. The material from which the shoes are made and its price are also taken into account. Some, when choosing between leather made from artificial materials and genuine leather, prefer the first option, chasing a low price and forgetting about quality. Shoes made from genuine leather are incomparable to others made from nubuck, artificial leather and other materials.

Despite everything, nowadays the first places are occupied by shoes made of genuine leather and mostly of high quality. Why is that? The fact is that genuine leather has a number of significant advantages over artificial leather:

1) Shoes made of genuine leather are very durable

The service life of leather shoes is much longer, while shoes made of artificial leather will last no more than 2 years - numerous cracks appear on them, they become stiff and other defects appear due to weather conditions and other factors. Leather shoes will last you 3-5 years, and if you take proper and careful care of them, the period will increase. Leather shoes are a good buy due to their high reliability;

2) Leather shoes allow your feet to “breathe”

Due to the structure of natural leather, it retains numerous pores, so leather shoes “breathe” perfectly and air constantly passes through it, which allows the skin of a person’s feet not to get wet or dry out. Artificial leather does not have such properties, so feet in it often sweat and become wet, which has a bad effect on both human health and comfort;

3) Great for any season of the year

In summer, leather shoes will not be hot, but in winter it will be very warm, again, thanks to the pores in natural leather;

4)High level of convenience

Thanks to tanning during the creation process, leather shoes “adjust” to the shape of a person’s foot. Shoes made of genuine leather have the property of “wearing in” - stretching in the right places and taking on the shape of a person’s specific feet. Artificial leather (all of them are made from plastics and oilcloth) cannot reproduce this effect. Therefore, leather shoes, selected according to size, fit perfectly on the foot and do not change their shape. It is important to remember that high-quality leather shoes will never stretch “along” - the heel and toe areas of good shoes are always reinforced and tightly connected to the sole.

In addition, it has increased “flexibility”, i.e. at the point of “bending” when walking, leather shoes do not crack for a very long time, unlike artificial ones, and also do not cause any inconvenience due to the flexibility and softness of the material.

Also, leather shoes can be “repaired” and will last for a long period of time, unlike artificial shoes.

5) Leather shoes perfectly protect your feet from temperature changes.

Leather shoes do not deteriorate when the temperature changes in winter - cracks or other defects will never appear on them, and also, due to their strength, they will perfectly protect the foot from sudden cold or warming.

In addition, leather shoes are softer and have waterproof properties - they do not get wet from the inside, so their thermal protection does not decrease.

6)Nice appearance

The appearance of leather shoes is always better than those made of artificial leather.

In Bashmachok stores, you can always choose high-quality, comfortable shoes at affordable prices

• Posted by: Administrator
• 31.01.2016

Today we will look at the question of what to do if your shoes stink. Let's look at different effective methods. But first, let's talk a little about the shoes themselves.

Description

People learned to protect their feet from external influences a long time ago. The most ancient shoes, according to scientists, are moccasins. They were discovered on the territory of Armenia. They were sewn from ox leather, stuffed inside with straw, apparently for softness. Then they began to use a kind of leg protection in other territories. Centuries later, bast shoes took root in Rus', in Ancient Egypt - sandals made of palm leaves, in Greece - low lace-up boots.

Over time, the material for making shoes changed, various sewing techniques appeared, and designs were developed. At a certain stage of “evolution” the heel arose. Moreover, such shoes were worn by both women and men.

Agree, nowadays it is impossible to imagine life without shoes. It is important that it is practical, comfortable and has an attractive appearance. Today's shoes differ from ancient ones in more durable materials, a variety of designs, colors, shapes and an increased degree of comfort. One cannot lose sight of the fact that manufacturers now offer a wider range of shoe sizes.

But no matter how beautiful the model is, every person faces the problem of unpleasant odor. How to be? What to do if your shoes stink? Let's figure it out next. Note that this smell can cause inconvenience not only to the owner of the shoes, but also to the people around him. It’s a terribly unpleasant situation when you take off your shoes while visiting and an unpleasant smell spreads throughout the apartment. It becomes embarrassing and embarrassing. And coming home after a hard day at work, taking off your shoes, it’s not entirely pleasant to inhale such aromas yourself.

Causes of shoe odor

Before deciding what to do if your shoes stink, you need to understand the causes of the smell. Let's look at them:

1. The smell of new shoes. In general, any new pair has a specific smell. It’s not for nothing that a shoe store can be recognized by its heavy spirit. And this is not always due to cheap or unnatural material. Both packaging material and glue can have a similar “aroma”. Low quality rubber (rubber boots) have a very persistent odor. Getting rid of such a smell is quite difficult, and sometimes completely impossible. What to do if your shoes smell like rubber? Some people have come up with a rather unconventional way to get rid of this smell. First they wash the shoes with dishwashing liquid, then dry them. Then wipe with a sponge soaked in window cleaning liquid. Then wash it off using the first dish soap. Then let the boots dry. This way you should overcome the foul odor of rubber.

2. Worn shoes have an unpleasant odor from dust, dirt and sweat. The result is a favorable environment for the proliferation of various bacteria. Even the cleanest people can have shoes and feet that stink. Because absolutely everyone sweats, and when walking or playing sports for a long time, this simply cannot be avoided.

3. Bad smell also appears due to wearing shoes made of synthetic materials. In such models, the legs do not breathe at all. Then the process described in point 2 begins much faster.

4. Before you figure out what to do if your shoes smell of damp, you need to understand why this smell occurs. It can appear if you washed your shoes or got caught in a rainstorm, after which they did not dry completely. A large amount of moisture may be between the sole and the insole. Therefore, a dry insole is not an indicator that the shoes are completely dry. In a humid environment, the processes of rotting and proliferation of various bacteria will begin.

5. One cannot ignore such causes of bad shoe odor as hyperhidrosis - excessive sweating, as well as skin fungus on the feet or nails, which must be treated. After treatment of such a disease, by the way, you cannot use old shoes.

Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide

What to do if your shoes stink afterwards? You can use table vinegar. We soak cotton pads in it and put them inside for 3-4 hours. After this, thoroughly air the shoes.

You can also wipe your shoes with hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate. These substances have disinfectant properties. In most cases the smell disappears.

Adsorbents

What to do if your shoes stink? Folk remedies will be appropriate. For example, you can use adsorbents - substances that absorb excess moisture. This could be flour, rice, soda or activated carbon. You need to pour these substances inside the shoes for 2-3 hours, then vacuum them thoroughly.

Special deodorant

What to do if your shoes smell like feet? You can use a special deodorant. You should spray your shoes with it from the inside, preferably in the evening, so that the cavity dries before the morning. Although it is advisable to use the product without waiting for strong unpleasant odors. Can be used for regular care of boots and shoes.

There is another proven way to get rid of an unpleasant odor - freeze your shoes overnight, pre-packing them in a plastic bag. But remember not to freeze!

To avoid the question of what to do if your shoes stink, you need to take proper care of them. How to do it? Now we'll tell you. You need:

1. Every day after coming home, wash and thoroughly dry and air your shoes. It is advisable not to limit yourself to one pair of shoes, but to have at least two pairs for the season so that the shoes (or boots) have time to be well ventilated. The ideal place is an open balcony.

2. Change insoles at least 2 times a week. It is possible to use special scented or antibacterial insoles, which tend to remove extraneous odors.

3. Spray your shoes with a special deodorant at night.

4. It is not advisable to wear the same pair of shoes all day. If possible, change your shoes. It is probably possible to have replacement shoes at work.

5. Tights or socks must be changed every day. It is advisable to give preference to cotton items.

6. Maintain hygiene. Of course, unpleasant odor from shoes does not always arise from the fact that your feet are rarely washed. But still this point should not be ignored. Experts advise paying special attention to your feet after taking a shower. You need to wash them thoroughly with ordinary laundry soap, and then make a bath of salt and soda. Then you should wipe your feet dry and anoint them with a special foot cream, the name of which uses the word “deo”. Such products have antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Then you should put on clean socks.

Conclusion

Now you know what products will help in the fight against unpleasant odor from shoes. We hope that our recommendations will help you.