2 Easy Steps to Eliminate Shoe Odor

What’s inside: The easiest way to eliminate shoe odor without scrubbing or harsh chemicals. Sponsored by Bluechip USA.

My husband always has a pair of shoes that are long past their prime, but he just won’t get rid of! You know the ones… faded, beat up, and stinky. Or as my husband would say, “broken in.” His favorite pair actually!

I’ve seriously considered throwing those smelly shoes away when my husband isn’t home! In the interest of keeping the peace, I decided to figure out how to get rid of the shoe odor instead.

What Causes Shoe Odor

The number one cause of shoe odor is bacteria. Sweaty, damp shoes provide the perfect breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria that then cling to your feet and socks.

If you’ve ever wondered why a person’s feet still smell even after they take off their shoes, this is the answer!

2 Easy Steps to Get Rid of Shoe Odor

There are two steps I take to freshen smelly shoes — that involve no scrubbing, no messy powders, and no harsh chemicals!

1. Wash shoes on gentle cycle

The first time I told my husband to toss his stinky shoes in the washing machine, he looked at me like I was crazy. However, I periodically wash my athletic shoes to get rid of build up and keep them fresh. I simply put them in the washer with a mild soap on gentle cycle, then allow them to air dry.

Tip: Spot test with soap/water before doing a full wash to check for color-fastness. Certain materials like suede and leather shouldn’t be immersed in water.

I limit washing to once a month or every other month to keep my shoes in better condition. Plus, who has time to wash shoes and wait for them to dry more than that?

2. Use SmellWell between washes

You can’t wash your shoes every day, so between washes I slip a SmellWell into each shoe. A SmellWell is a lightweight pouch that feels similar to a beanbag, but this is definitely no ordinary bag!

How it works: Each SmellWell insert acts like a filter that absorbs moisture and prevents bacterial growth (the bacteria that creates those yucky odors). It also leaves a subtle, pleasant fragrance in place of odors.

The best part? SmellWell pouches are reusable up to 4 months!

I did a test on the smelliest pair of shoes my husband owns (the ones he runs outside in every day). All I did was I put a SmellWell inside each shoe and leave them there overnight. The next morning, not only were the odors gone (seriously!) but those ratty old shoes actually smelled good!

Why I use SmellWell instead of other cleaning and deodorizing products:

Environmentally friendly and child safe (unlike many chemical deodorizers)
Mess-free (if you’ve ever tried to use baking soda or baby powder to combat foot odor you know what I’m talking about!)
Award-winning (Swedish Innovative Product of the Year 2015)

After launching and gaining a following in Sweden, SmellWell is now available in the US! Right now they’re running a Spring special: BUY 3 GET 1 FREE so it’s the perfect time to try SmellWell!

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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom

Stacey is the creator of The Soccer Mom Blog, a Houston Texas mom blog that focuses on positive living for women and families. She loves to share real food recipes, money-saving tips, parenting encouragement, kids activities, DIY tutorials, home hacks, fitness, and so much more! To get to know Stacey even better, click here.

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