The Source

What causes the problem anyway?   Your shoes didn’t start out with that odor did they?  The prime source of the dilemma is, of course, your feet.  Did you know that they have a name for extreme cases of foot odor?  It’s called bromhidrosis.   The primary cause of foot odor is perspiration.  This provides a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. When the cellular debris from the bacteria and yeast begin to break down, they produce the notorious foot odor.   In addition there are some skin conditions that can also contribute to the problem.   These conditions are not necessarily harmful but do create a rich environment for the growth of microorganisms. Infections such as athlete’s foot or toenail fungus could result, so it’s best to keep the whole situation under control.

Prevention

The follow are some ways to keep your feet dry and odor free, preventing your sneakers from picking it up in the first place.  The best advice is to keep your feet as clean and dry as possible.

• Shower regularly with anti-bacterial soap.
• Use foot powders and sprays specifically designed to keep feet dry.
• Change your shoes and socks often.
• Wear sandals during warm weather.

Cure

What if it’s too late, the walking sneakers are already cursed.  What to do then?  Obviously pitching them is an option (the one favored by my wife).  But short of that, what’s to do?  There are a ton of commercial and homemade remedies.  Here are a few.  (I’ll have to admit that I haven’t tried most of these so I can’t vouch for their effectiveness)

• Wash sneakers thoroughly–inside and out–with soapy detergent and bleach.  Sprinkle bicarbonate or baking soda the insides of the shoes.  Leave overnight.  (This one worked for me)
• Wipe the insides of the sneakers with rubbing alcohol.
• Stuff the shoes with newspaper and leave overnight.
• Spray vinegar inside the sneakers.
• Stick them in the freezer overnight.  (This did not work for me).
• Seal them in a plastic bag with coffee (unused).
• Put kitty litter in an old sock and stuff it in the shoe between usages.
• Insert orange peels in the shoes.
• Baby Power is another suggestion.
• There are a host of products specifically designed to eliminate shoe odors but I’ve not tried any of them. Note: If anyone has, I’m sure we would all be interested in knowing which ones were effective and which ones weren’t.

Maintenance

Once you’ve managed to eliminate the problem there are a couple of things, in addition to foot care, that you can do.

• Rotate you walking sneakers, allowing them to completely dry out between uses.
• Give you shoes a shot of disinfectant after each use.
• Use redwood shoe trees.

Walking sneaker odor can quickly make you an outcast in your own home so it’ll be better for you and those around you if you take a little bit of time and effort to banish this source of potential friction from your environment.

It would be great to get some feedback if anyone has successfully tried any of these or other odor eradicating exercises.

Technorati Tags: foot odor, shoe odor, Walking Equipment, Walking Gear, walking sneakers

Who hasn’t got caught in the rain or snow or step into one puddle or another and ended up with a pair of soggy, smelly walking sneakers as a result. Here may be a product that will resolve the problem quickly and easily. .. Stuffitts

What are they?

Stuffitts are shoe inserts designed to address moisture and odor problems in walking sneakers. They feature two cedar-chip filled, shoe-shaped inserts connected by a removable leash. The outer cover is made from advanced wicking material. The fabric consists of two 2 distinct layers which enhance its’ ability to remove moisture from the surrounding shoe material. An inner bag contains highly absorbent cedar chips which traps and holds the moisture wicked from the shoe. The inner bag is inserted through a zippered heel in the outer cover. A configuration that enables the cedar bag to be removed enabling you to throw the wicking outer cover in the wash. Stuffitts are joined together by a 36” adjustable, detachable strap which can be connected or separated, making the sneakers easy to sling over a doorknob or place side-by-side under the bed.

How do they work?

Simply insert Stuffitts into your shoes over night. Stuffitts eradicate odor by absorbing moisture, the growth medium for the odor producing bacteria that give your sneakers that awful smell. Eliminating this moisture creates an inhospitable environment for these bacteria and they along with the smell disappear. While air drying a wet sneaker can take more than 24 hours, Stuffitts absorb nearly 100% of the wetness and order causing bacteria, doing most of the work in an hour or so. Stuffitts claim to be able to dry out your sneakers 25X faster than air drying. They come in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large and three colors : Black, Blue, and Red. The cedar inserts last six months before they need to be replaced.

Are they effective?

I undertook a broad internet search to see what the overall reaction to the product was from actual users. In general, the responses were extremely positive. Stuffitts appear to do what they are meant to do and do it quite well. So if you find yourself with walking sneakers that have need of a serious detoxification program you couldn’t do worst that stuff it with Stuffitts.
 

You can order them online at: www.stuffitts.com

Technorati Tags: foot odor, moisture removal, odor control, ordor removal, shoe odor, Stuffitts, wet shoes