Your shoes have taken on a smell of their own, and you are not sure where you went wrong. If the odor is overpowering, it could be caused by what you are doing with your feet before putting on your shoes, or by moisture and bacteria that built up in your shoes. The material your shoes are made of also may be part of the problem--synthetic materials make it difficult for the foot to "breathe," thus trapping in odors.
Step 1
Wash your feet with an antibacterial soap daily. Antibacterial soap is necessary because bacteria causes foot odor. Wash carefully between your toes, and dry your feet thoroughly because excess moisture can increase odor in shoes, according to Odor-Eaters.
Step 2
Wear socks made of an absorbent material. This can help to soak in the sweat that your feet produce during the day. For example, cotton is a highly absorbent material while synthetic fibers, such as nylon, are less absorbent, according to Home Life Weekly. If necessary, bring a change of socks and continue to swap socks if one pair feels too wet.
Step 3
Shake baking soda into your shoes after wearing them. Make sure the insides of your shoes are dry before shaking the baking soda in and tip the shoe forward in order for the baking soda to reach the tip of the toe. If you have a insert in the shoe, remove the insert and sprinkle baking soda on this as well. Leave the baking soda on for several hours to experience the best odor-absorbing qualities. You can even add a dryer sheet to improve the smell.
Step 4
Prepare a foot soak of vinegar and soak your feet for five minutes each night in order to kill any fungus, such as athlete's foot, that might develop. As an added benefit, the vinegar will also help to keep your feet soft and supple.
Things You'll Need
- Absorbent socks
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
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