How to Remove Foot & Shoe Odor

If your feet put off an odor, your shoes are more than likely afflicted too.

It can be embarrassing to remove your shoes and watch people stand back. Even if they're too polite to say anything, facial expressions and sudden distance can say a lot. If you are suffering from foot odor it's not a coincidence that your shoes have an unpleasant odor, as well. Because the two problems go hand-in-hand, eliminating the foot odor will help get rid of the shoe odor. There are several things you can do to fix this smelly problem.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial soap
• Clean, dry towel
• Clean cotton socks
• White vinegar
• Tea bags
• Baking soda

Instructions

1. Wash your feet daily with an antibacterial soap. Removing the bacteria on your feet can help eliminate the odor all together. Use warm water and rinse well. Pat your feet dry with a clean dry, towel before putting on socks and shoes.

2. Wear clean cotton socks daily and replace them after you bathe. Cotton socks allow your feet to get more air, which can help eliminate the odor. If your socks have an odor you can't seem to wash out, add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle while washing them to eliminate the odor.

3. Fill a tub with hot water. Add five to 10 tea bags to the water and put your feet into the tub. Allow your feet to soak in the water for 30 minutes. The tannin in tea helps to prevent perspiration, which contributes to odors.

4. Wear a different pair of shoes each day to allow your shoes to air out; alternate between two or three pairs. Pour baking soda into shoes you aren't wearing to help absorb moisture and odors. If you don't want to deal with the mess of cleaning out the baking soda later, fill two clean socks with baking soda and stuff them into the shoes.

5. Wash your shoes. Some shoes can be hand washed with warm soapy water and a clean cloth, while others can be put in the washing machine. Read and follow manufacturers' instructions for cleaning and care. If in doubt, wash them by hand. Set your shoes in a cool dry place to air dry. Setting your shoes outside on a sunny day can also help eliminate odors, as sunshine is great for killing odors.

Tips & Warnings

• Take every opportunity to walk around without shoes and socks to allow your feet to get fresh air.

References

• A 2 Z of Health, Beauty and Fitness: Ways to Treat and Prevent Body Odor
• Dr. Mirkin: Body Odor
• Readers Digest: Sneaker and Shoe Odor