People are being encouraged to place their sneakers and shoes in the freezer for an unexpected reason. Keeping shoes clean and odor-free can be a challenge, especially if they are old or worn frequently. Experts at Wynsors, a footwear retailer, have shared tips for eliminating unpleasant smells from shoes. They explained that smelly feet and shoes are often caused by sweat and bacteria, as moisture from sweat glands creates an environment for bacteria to grow and produce odors.
Factors like stress, hormonal changes, excessive sweating, or not wearing socks can make people more susceptible to smelly shoes. Fungal infections and lack of sock-wearing can also worsen the issue. One method suggested is placing shoes in direct sunlight to utilize warmth and UV rays to eliminate bacteria causing odors and enhance air circulation to speed up sweat evaporation and prevent dampness.
For best results, ensure both the inside and outside of the shoes are exposed to direct sunlight. However, for colorful or delicate materials such as leather, it’s recommended to place them in a shaded, well-ventilated spot instead of direct sunlight. In contrast to using warmth to combat shoe odor, placing shoes in the freezer overnight can also help eradicate odor-causing bacteria due to the intense cold, resulting in fresher-smelling footwear.
Before placing shoes in the freezer, it’s advised to put them in a sealed bag to prevent contact with food. While this method is generally safe for most shoes, caution should be taken with delicate materials like leather or suede. For more shoe odor prevention tips, check out Wynsors’ blog post.