We all have a favourite pair of shoes. Whether it’s due to how they look, their versatility with your wardrobe, their comfort or a sentimental attachment, our faves get a lot of wear. Of course, with something we like so much, it’s only natural to want to care for them. Ensuring scuffs and scratches are dealt with, stuffing them and storing them properly to maintain the shape.
However, an issue with your footwear can build over time and come as a big surprise when you first notice it. For example, foul odours emitting from your shoes can be a shock, and once you notice it, it is hard to forget. These smells can instantly put you off your favourite shoes, but unpleasant smells aren’t permanent.
At Rieker, we know just how much your favourite shoes mean to you, and we want to help you preserve them. Follow our comprehensive guide to learn helpful tips and tricks on how to tackle foul odours when they rear their smelly heads and how to prevent them in future. Read on to take the steps needed to make sure you love how your shoes look, feel, and most importantly, smell!
Table of contents
- What causes shoes to smell?
- How to remove odour from shoes
- Preventing smelly shoes
- Our unique shoes at Rieker
What causes shoes to smell?
Smelly shoes are nothing to be embarrassed about. It happens to everyone at some point and is completely natural. When we all lead such busy lives, we’re bound to sweat. That sweat alone doesn’t cause shoes to smell, but when it builds up over time and lingers in the shoe's fibres, that’s when odours can develop.
The release of sweat from our feet is inevitable as no matter how strenuous the activity; our feet have more glands than anywhere else. Damp areas can form in the shoe, which allows bacteria and fungi to grow. When left untreated, the growth in these warm areas emits an unpleasant odour.
Fear not. Use one of our trusted methods, and your shoes will smell as fresh as the day you bought them.
How to remove odour from shoes
Luckily, there are several ways to remove odour from your shoes. Most require common household items you should have no trouble finding in your cleaning cupboard or at a local shop.
Even if your foot hygiene is impeccable, smells can still form. All of our methods are focused on treating the shoes directly, so you shouldn’t need to make any drastic changes to your hygiene routine.
Use disinfectant spray
One quick and easy way to remove bacteria from your shoes and restore fresh smells is by using a disinfectant spray. Spritz inside your shoes and the disinfectant will get to work directly tackling the bacteria causing the foul odour.
If you don’t have disinfectant spray or would prefer a home method, we have you covered. Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and spray that in your shoes. A light spray should work perfectly, with the alcohol performing the same role as the disinfectant.
Baking soda
Baking soda is tremendously versatile. Whether you need to unblock your shower drain, remove surface residue, or bring some shine back to your white clothing and footwear, baking soda is a reliable multi-purpose product. Luckily for us, one of those purposes is removing odours from shoes.
Sprinkle some baking soda inside your shoes and let them sit for 24 hours. After waiting, give your shoes a thorough shake to remove any lingering baking soda and perform a quick smell test. You should notice a much fresher scent, as if your shoes were fresh out of the box.
Sunshine
Sunny or warm areas can work a charm to prevent further bacteria from growing in your shoes. Cold and damp areas are fertile ground for the bacteria and fungi that cause odours, so placing your shoes in the opposite location will go a long way to killing them off.
We recommend being cautious with this method, as leaving leather shoes in the sun for extended periods could harm the material. Similarly, suede shoes could lose their shape if left in the sun for too long. Check the material of your shoes and if they are suitable to leave in the sun before proceeding with this method.
Bar soap
A great, simple way to freshen up your shoes while eradicating lingering bacteria is by using just a couple of bars of soap. Place a bar in each shoe and leave overnight. That’s it! The soap will kill the bacteria and its unpleasant smell. Soap is porous so that the foul odour will be absorbed and replaced by a fresh, clean scent instead.
Ensure that any bars of soap you use are dry. Moisture from wet bars of soap will only encourage bacteria growth.
Put them in the freezer
While putting your smelly shoes in the same place you keep a lot of food sounds completely unhygienic, trust us. If this method is used properly, the bacteria causing your footwear issues will be long gone, and your chips will stay safe, too.
Place your shoes in a resealable bag to avoid contact with any produce, and leave them in the freezer for around 24 hours. Remove and defrost before wearing. While defrosting, why not add a citrus peel inside your shoes? While the bacteria will already be dealt with, citrus peels add a fresh and fruity smell to your favourite pair.
Preventing smelly shoes
Having all these methods handy is great for when you notice bad smelling shoes, but they aren’t everyday solutions. It’s important to look at what we can do to maintain a fresh smell for our shoes and prevent bacteria from setting in.
Wearing different socks everyday can go a long way to preventing bacteria build up as re-used socks will hold plenty of moisture from your feet that will seep its way into your shoes. Replacing your insoles in shoes you’ve had for a long time can also help.
If you’re prone to sweating, applying foot powder provides extra protection between the moisture and your shoes. Consult your GP if you suffer from chronic foot issues and seek their advice.
Our unique shoes at Rieker
We understand everyone has their favourite pair of shoes, but what’s stopping you from finding a new favourite? At Rieker, we offer stylish shoes at affordable prices with your benefit at the forefront of our designs.
All our shoes are made using our signature antistress technology. Made up of four properties, our antistress shoes take the brunt off of your feet to relieve them of unnecessary stress and strain. Lighter, roomier, more reflexibility and shock absorption are the key factors that define our antistress shoes.
Browse our men’s and ladies’ collections today to find your new favourite pair of shoes that make walking easier and more enjoyable.
