How Can Athletes Keep their Shoes from Smelling

Athletes sweat a lot – obviously – causing sweat to build up in the shoes. Sweat creates a breeding ground for bacteria. It is the bacteria that causes the foul odor.

Another reason is that the shoes may not be properly ventilated, which can cause them to retain moisture and start to smell.

Finally, if the shoes are made of materials that are not breathable, they may not be able to dry out properly, which can also lead to a build-up of sweat and bacteria and eventually to a bad smell.

Let’s see how athletes can get rid of smelly shoes.

Stuffing Newspaper

Stuffing newspaper into your smelly shoes overnight can help to absorb the foul odor.

1. Take some old newspapers and crumple them into balls.
2. Put the balls of newspaper inside your smelly shoes and leave them overnight. The newspaper will help to absorb the foul odor from your shoes.
3. Remove the crumpled newspaper from your shoes in the morning. Let your shoes air for a few minutes before wearing them.

Cat Litter

This may sound like a weird method, but it actually works. Cat litter is great for absorbing foul odors.

1. Put one cup of cat litter in a pair of old socks. Tie the top of the sock to secure the cat litter inside.
2. Place the socks inside the shoes and leave them overnight. The cat litter will help to absorb the foul odor from the shoes.
3. Take out the socks from the shoes in the morning. Let your shoes air dry for a few minutes before wearing them.

Socks and Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds can absorb foul odors and help to keep your shoes smelling fresh.

1. Put half a cup of coffee grounds in a pair of old socks. Tie the top of the sock with a rubber band.
2. Place the socks inside the shoes and leave them overnight. The coffee grounds will absorb the foul smell from the shoes and leave them smelling fresh.
3. Remove the socks from the shoes in the morning. Wipe the shoes with a dry cloth. Let your shoes air out for a few minutes before wearing them.

Soap Bar

Soap can also help to absorb foul odors from smelly shoes and will leave its own pleasant smell behind.

1. Place a dry and clean soap bar inside your shoes and leave them overnight.
2. Ensure the soap bar you use is not wet. Using a wet soap bar can damage the shoes.
3. Take out the soap bar from the shoes in the morning. Wipe the shoes with a dry cloth.

Finally here are some more tips for athletes to take care of smelly shoes.

• Wear socks that wick away moisture.
• Change socks often.
• Let shoes dry out between uses. Don’t wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row.
• Rotate shoes so they have a chance to air out between wearings.
• Use a shoe deodorizer.
• Place shoes in a well-ventilated area when not wearing them.
• Clean shoes regularly with soap and water.

While smelly shoes are inevitable for athletes, these tips can help prevent the shoes from smelling bad.

Have you tried any of these methods? Let us know how they worked for you in the comments below.