Are you bothered by the unpleasant odor that comes from your shoes and feet? Foot odor can be caused by several things, such as wearing the same shoes too often for days, fungal or bacterial infections, feet that are too closed so that air is difficult to enter, and so on. Well, if you want to get rid of that bad smell, then read on.
Step
Method 1 of 9: Choosing the Right Shoes
Step 1. Always wear shoes that fit your feet
When shoes don't fit properly, your feet will sweat more than usual due to discomfort. So never forget to try it out before buying shoes, and don't hesitate to visit a specialist if your feet start to hurt from wearing certain shoes.
Step 2. Wear shoes made of materials that don't fit too tightly against your feet
Wearing shoes of the right material can prevent sweat and odor. Synthetic materials usually do not allow air to enter the shoe. The best materials for shoes are:
- Cotton
- Linen
- Skin
- Hemp.
Method 2 of 9: Changing Shoes
Step 1. Wear different shoes
Don't wear the same shoes two days in a row. This way, the shoes can get some air to "breathe" before wearing them again.
Step 2. Dry the shoes
It's not just feet that need to be aerated, shoes too. So, when the weather is sunny, don't hesitate to dry your shoes.
Step 3. Cool the shoes
If refrigerating your shoes is too extreme, you can leave them outside when it's cold for a few days. If you want to wear them, put them in the house and let them warm up first.
Method 3 of 9: Personal Hygiene
Step 1. Wash your feet daily with antibacterial soap
If foot odor is caused by fungi and bacteria, destroying the source of the odor is the most effective way to get rid of the bad odor. Every shower, always wash your feet with antibacterial and antimicrobial soap.
Will washing your feet daily with antimicrobial soap make your skin dry? Some people experience this, because washing feet too often sometimes actually makes the skin dry and cracked. Therefore, check if you also experience it. If so, don't forget to use a moisturizer on your feet after every wash and reduce the frequency of washing your feet with soap to once every two days
Step 2. Apply deodorant to your feet
This may sound strange, but remember that your feet sweat too. So, buy a stick deodorant that's specifically for your feet (don't use it on your armpits either) and use it every morning.
Method 4 of 9: Baby Powder
If your feet start to smell bad when they're damp, then all you have to do is keep them dry. In addition to letting your feet breathe every few moments, applying baby powder or scented powder to your feet can also be an effective way. This powder has a soft fragrance and is able to keep the feet from sweating and keeping them dry.
Step 1. Sprinkle baby powder or perfumed powder onto your feet before putting on socks
Step 2. Put the baby powder again into the shoes that will be used
Method 5 of 9: Sodium Bicarbonate
Step 1. Eliminate bad odors with sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda
Sprinkle a little sodium bicarbonate on your shoes every night, when they're worn out. The next morning before wearing, take the shoes outside and tap the right and left together to remove any remaining sodium bicarbonate powder.
Method 6 of 9: Put Shoes in the Fridge
Step 1. Cool your shoes in the refrigerator after previously placing them in a tightly closed plastic bag (if necessary, one plastic for one shoe), then leave overnight
The cold air in the refrigerator will freeze mold and odor-causing bacteria.
Method 7 of 9: Wear Socks
Step 1. Wear socks as much as possible
Cotton socks are able to make the feet breathe and absorb sweat, so foot odor can be avoided.
- If you wear flats or heels, you can still wear short, invisible socks, which only cover the foot to the heel, but keep the sides, bottom, and top of the foot covered.
- Wear running socks. Socks that are meant for sports have high sweat absorption technology so your feet will always be dry.
Method 8 of 9: Supplementary Insoles
Step 1. Use an additional sole made of spruce wood
Spruce wood has antifungal properties that are often used to remove odors from clothes. Some of these extra soles can be permanently tucked into the inside of the shoe and some can be put on every night and then removed every morning.
Step 2. Place an additional insole that acts as an odor control into the shoe
This odor control sole can be adjusted according to shoe size and is available in a variety of colors. This sole can be used for sandals, high heels, or shoes with open toes.
Tape the extra sole to the shoe with double-tape or liquid rubber cement. That way, your extra insoles will stay in place when you walk, while also being easy to remove
Step 3. Use a deodorizing insert
These inserts are generally silver in color and contain antimicrobial ingredients that can prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
Step 4. Use absorbent
Place some absorbent sheets, such as dry wipes, inside the shoe while using it. This method can remove odors quickly.
Method 9 of 9: Washing Shoes
Step 1. If your shoes are washable, wash them
Washing shoes can be done in various ways; in the washing machine or immersed in a detergent solution. Make sure the inside is also cleaned, especially the insole. After that, dry. Make sure the shoes are completely dry before wearing them again.
Tips
- When it's raining, avoid standing water or mud, as moisture and dirt can make your shoes smell bad.
- Always wash and dry feet properly before putting on shoes; This method is also able to make shoes more durable and long lasting.
- Another way to get rid of odors is to apply baby powder to the inside of the shoes. In addition, putting a dry layer such as tissue inside the shoe can also help.
- Dead skin cells on the feet can also cause odor, even after bathing. Therefore, use a pumice stone to rub the feet to shed dead skin cells there.
- Washing white socks with bleach can also make them free from fungus and bacteria.
- Try using orange peel. Before going to bed, put a fresh orange peel inside your shoes and leave it overnight. This method is able to absorb and eliminate unpleasant odors.
- There are some fragrance products that you can also spray into your shoes. Follow the instructions for use on the packaging so that the results can be more optimal.
- Most shoes can be machine or hand washed. Whichever method you use, make sure the shoes you wash are completely dry before putting them back on.
- Bath! Don't forget to shower every night and wash your feet. Sometimes, the problem is not in the shoes, but in your own feet.
- Use a daily UV light treatment to kill bacteria in the shoes. This method is especially recommended for those of you who do not like to wear socks.
- Don't put your shoes in the dryer! Shoes will be damaged. Dry shoes the natural way; dried in the sun.
- Cooling the shoes won't kill mold and bacteria. Most types of mold and bacteria can be frozen without completely dying.
