Home → Blog → Resources → 12 Ways to Remove and Prevent Bad Odors in Sneakers
Once reserved for other exercise, sneakers are now the go-to footwear for many people. Stylish, comfortable and versatile, they ensure you look good and can handle anything the day throws at you. However, sneakers have one weakness. They get smelly.
This article explores the causes of these odors and the science behind them, then provides comprehensive methods to both remove and prevent bad odors in sneakers. From baking soda to advanced antibacterial textile solutions, we detail all the possible solutions at your disposal.
Understanding the cause of bad smells in sneakers is essential if you want to resolve the issue. There are two chief sources of unpleasant odors in footwear. Bacteria and environmental odors.
Bacteria is the primary cause of smelly shoes. Bacteria thrive in damp, warm conditions. As your feet are fully enclosed, they are usually one of the sweatier parts of the body, creating the perfect environment for bacterial growth. These microorganisms feed on sweat and dead skin, and the byproducts of their metabolic processes tend to smell pretty bad.
Environmental odors, such as smoke and cooking odors, can also get trapped in the materials that comprise your footwear. Once trapped, these smells linger in fabrics much longer than in the air. However, this is typically more of an issue with clothes than footwear, as your shirts, trousers, and other apparel are generally more exposed to the source of these odors than your shoes.
A few factors make sneakers particularly prone to bad smells:
So, bacterial odors thrive in warm, damp conditions. But why and how do they produce unpleasant smells in sneakers?
When enclosed, the feet are constantly sweating and shedding dead skin cells. Sweat is mostly salt and water. However, it also includes organic compounds, such as protein, fatty acids and lipids. These are nutrient-rich and provide bacteria with plenty of sustenance.
When feeding on these compounds, bacteria break them down into smaller compounds and by-products.
Some waste products of bacterial metabolization are known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These VOCs are responsible for the bad odors. For instance, isovaleric acid has a strong, cheesy smell, propionic acid has a sour odor, and sulfur compounds give off that rotten egg smell.
Not all parts of a shoe are susceptible to bacterial growth. For instance, the rubber sole is not usually responsible for bad smells. However, if we identify areas particularly prone to bacterial growth, we can target our countermeasures, making eliminating the bacteria and bad smells easier.
If you are suffering with smelly shoes, you can eliminate the bad odors in your sneakers and freshen up your feet in several ways.
A household staple, bicarbonate of soda (also known as baking soda), absorbs moisture and neutralizes odors. Deposit a generous amount inside the sneakers, distribute evenly over the insole overnight, and leave it overnight. You can shake out the excess powder in the morning and slip on your fresh-smelling sneaks. This is a simple, affordable way to get rid of foot odor in sneakers.
Simply replacing old insoles with a new pair is also an effective way to eliminate odors in your sneakers. However, this is not a particularly environmentally friendly method, as it means regularly buying new products. You can mitigate this by purchasing antibacterial, anti-odor insoles that use technologies like Polygiene StayFresh™. These are a long-term solution that shouldn’t need replacing again.
Shoe sprays are designed to kill bacteria and eliminate odors. The highly effective Storm x Polygiene OdorCrunch Sprayis an excellent example. Using an advanced silica formula, the active ingredients catalytically “crunch” the molecules responsible for bad odors and prevent new ones from forming. Entirely skin-safe and 100% vegan, it is a great option for removing bad odors in sneakers.
Not all shoes can be thrown in the washing machine. But some can. Before doing so, remove the laces and insoles, then put the sneakers on a gentle cycle with gentle detergent. Air dry the shoes before you wear them and avoid tumble drying them as this is more likely to damage the uppers.
Though this may sound odd, freezing your sneakers can kill the bacteria they harbor and get rid of foot odor. Pack the shoes in a plastic bag to keep things clean and leave them in the freezer overnight to let the cold temperatures work their magic. Make sure you leave plenty of time to let the sneakers naturally thaw before wearing them.
Some essential oils boast natural antibacterial properties. These include tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus, among others. For best results, drop the oils onto a piece of cotton wool and place it in your sneakers. Leave overnight. Not only will this help eliminate odor-causing bacteria in sneakers, but it should also leave a lovely scent. While this certainly works, the antibacterial qualities in essential oils are not as effective as dedicated antibacterial technologies, which have been optimized and refined for maximum efficacy.
Simple dryer sheets are also an option. Lay them inside your sneakers and leave them overnight to absorb the moisture and nullify the worst odors. It’s a simple way to take the smell out of your sneakers overnight.
Preventing bad odors in sneakers is far more effective than trying to remove them and requires much less work. Here are five simple strategies for preventing odors.
Antibacterial anti-odor technologies like Polygiene StayFresh and Polygiene OdorCrunch are integrated into textiles at the point of manufacture and provide 24/7 protection for the product’s entire lifespan. By preventing the growth of bacteria and eliminating environmental smells, they keep sneakers smelling fresher for longer.
Airing out your sneakers after you’ve worn them can work wonders for bad odors. Just make sure you remove the insoles and hang those up, too. The improved airflow and ventilation help any residual moisture evaporate away, reducing opportunities for bacterial growth.
Thoroughly cleaning your feet will prevent bacterial growth and help keep your footwear smell-free. Use soap and ensure your feet are completely dry before putting on your socks or wearing your shoes. Regularly exfoliating your feet can also help to remove dead skin cells, eliminating another potential food source for bacteria. Good foot hygiene can be combined with other methods on our list to prevent bad smells in your sneakers.
While it is best to tackle bacteria where they are most likely to grow – in the fibers of your footwear – antibacterial foot creams can also help with the issue. Apply the cream before wearing your sneakers for best results.
Antibacterial additive technologies, such as Polygiene StayFresh, are one of the most effective ways of preventing and eliminating unpleasant odors in footwear. The Polygiene solution is based on silver chloride, a salt that occurs naturally in soil and water and is entirely skin-safe. The silver ions disrupt bacterial growth in three main ways.
This three-pronged attack is highly effective. And, because Polygiene technology is integrated into materials rather than applied onto them, the protection lasts for a fabric’s entire expected lifespan.
Alongside fresher footwear that no longer harbors bacteria and unpleasant odors, antibacterial additives like Polygiene StayFresh boast several other benefits.
Polygiene is at the forefront of technological innovations in the additives industry and is helping manufacturers and consumers turn the page on smelly sneakers. Combining effective odor-elimination with sustainability and product durability benefits, our solutions help footwear designers distinguish themselves from the competition and deliver more value to customers.
Learn more about Polygiene anti-odor technology:
Storm x Polygiene OdorCrunch Spray
